The online accommodation information service Airbnb announced the company experienced its largest growth in 2012 with 3 million guests who booked a night’s stay on the peer-to-peer lodging marketplace out of the 4 million total guests who traveled on Airbnb since the company’s founding in 2008.

The peer-to-peer service matches spare rooms at homes of local residents and tourists looking for accommodation. The business model has received much attention as an example of the “sharing economy.”

“On Airbnb people from all over the world gather to share and enjoy unique spaces ― based on trust, respect, care, understanding, and sharing. We believe the tremendous growth that Airbnb has experienced in 2012 was possible because of the unique experiences that Airbnb provides like no other,” said Ole Ruch, managing director for Asia-Pacific.

Airbnb announced its official service launch in Korea in January this year.

(wylee@heraldcorp.com)