The Montreal-based travel-booking company said Thursday that it’s adding the option to book home rentals through its app. (The Logic)

Talking point: The launch of Hopper Homes comes amid a rise in demand for short-term home rentals: Hopper said such bookings rose from 17 per cent to 27 per cent of all accommodation bookings in 2021. Throughout the pandemic, demand for home rentals has grown due to reduced business travel and a desire for new experiences, the company said. In a similar vein, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said this month that he planned to stay in a new rental every few weeks, noting that more customers are opting for longer stays. Hopper has grown significantly throughout the pandemic, claiming 100 per cent and 300 per cent growth in 2020 and 2021. It plans to integrate its fintech products, including a feature to predict future booking prices and cancel-for-any-reason protection, into the new service.