Airbnb apologises for passive-aggressive 'Dear San Francisco' tax adverts

Company admits it struck 'wrong tone' with ad campaign highlighting hotel tax contributions of its users after it backfires

Short-term home letting site Airbnb has apologised for a series of passive-aggressive adverts posted in San Francisco, apparently intended to boost the company's image in the runup to a vote on whether or not to more strictly regulate Airbnb-style rentals.

The adverts, posted on bus shelters and billboards throughout its home city, focus on the estimated $12m raised through San Francisco's current hotel taxes from homeowners who use Airbnb to rent out their properties.