Airbnb, a threat to short term rentals - hotels, apartments etc?

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So it seems Airbnb is attempting to intrude into the short term rentals business space? Anyone see this as a threat or legitimate competitor to either hotels or short term rentals generally? 

There just seems to be a substantial amount of risk and liability exposure in terms of the type and scope of crimes/issues either the host or client can encounter -- not to mention what actual property owner could get looped into. 

Any thoughts? Some of these cases sound really awful.

http://nypost.com/2017/05/05/tourist-beaten-sexual...
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/your-money/airb...
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/26/travel/airbnb-d...