There is evidence that the greater room supply created by Airbnb has helped restrain prices that traditional hotels can charge in some markets.

In Austin, Tex., each 10 percent increase in Airbnb listings resulted in a 0.35 percent decrease in monthly hotel room revenue, according to a study by Boston University. Less expensive hotels and those focused on leisure travelers were most affected when Airbnb developed in their area, the study found.

And in New York, there is a similar dynamic.

Hotel room price growth in New York has lagged historical levels during the economic upturn, according to research by Sean Hennessey of New York University’s Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism. While some of that is because of the increase of hotel construction and number of available rooms, he said, hoteliers also cite the advent of a “shadow inventory” including Airbnb and others as a reason for the price stagnation.

They may not cite Airbnb as a direct competitor, but hotels are taking some actions as the service grows more popular. Hospitality industry representatives are asking for laws requiring Airbnb properties to adhere to the same safety standards that hotels do. Airbnb said it required hosts to follow their local laws and encouraged all hosts to take some basic steps to keep their homes safe.

Some small hotels are joining the service themselves. When the Box House Hotel in Brooklyn opened in 2011, it listed rooms on Airbnb along with booking.com and other websites. “It’s another way for people to find out about us,” said Jenneka Hernandez, the general manager. The 57-room hotel lists only its least expensive rooms on the site, “because that is what Airbnb customers are looking for,” she said.

The eight-room Drift San Jose in Baja California in Mexico books all its reservations through Airbnb, which allows the property to keep its costs down.

“We don’t need a front desk or even a credit card machine,” said Stu Waddell, the owner of the hotel.