The American Hotel & Lodging Association has quietly built up a series of alliances during the past year to combat Airbnb, which is posing a very real business threat to the hotel industry, the New York Times reported.

According to internal documents obtained by the newspaper, AHLA has forged alliances with politicians and fair housing advocates to draft legislation in several cities and states restricting Airbnb activity. The organization also funded research by a Pennsylvania State University professor showing that many Airbnb hosts were breaking the law.

Airbnb is an online service letting consumers to temporarily occupy bedrooms and even apartments from property owners. Critics say the service allows property owners to skirt paying taxes and avoid regulations meant to protect consumer safety and prevent racial discrimination. They also argue the service also puts a squeeze on affordable housing, as many property owners make more profits by temporarily renting out space using Airbnb rather than renting year-round.

"We are trying to showcase and bust the myth that Airbnb supports mom and pop, and helps them make extra money," Troy Flanagan, AHLA's vice president for state and local government affairs, told the Times. "Homesharing is not what this is about."

Airbnb so far has proven a successful business model. The company has yet to go public, but investors estimate its value at $30 billion, the newspaper reported. http://nyti.ms/2paaAcF

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