Airbnb Revolutionizes Travel with New Services and Experiences
In a bid to further revolutionize the way people travel, Airbnb has announced a slew of new features that aim to make the platform more than just a place to stay. According to Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, "Seventeen years ago, we changed the way people travel. More than two billion guests later, Airbnb is synonymous with a place to stay. With the launch of services and experiences, we’re changing travel again. Now you can Airbnb more than an Airbnb."
The new features, announced on the Airbnb news site, include Airbnb Services and Airbnb Experiences, which aim to provide users with a more comprehensive travel experience. Airbnb Services will offer users access to a range of services, including chefs, photographers, massage therapists, and personal trainers, all vetted for quality through an evaluation of expertise and reputation.
Airbnb Services
Airbnb Services will be available in 260 cities, with 10 categories of services to choose from, including:
- Chefs: Fully customizable in-home meals from professional chefs
- Photography: Personalized photo sessions from experienced photographers
- Massage: Restorative massages including Swedish, deep tissue, and reflexology from certified therapists
- Spa treatments: Facials, microdermabrasion, body scrubs, and other treatments provided by licensed estheticians
- Personal training: Yoga, strength training, HIIT, and more, with personal trainers, including renowned fitness professionals and world champion athletes
- Hair: Professional haircuts, blowouts, and more from experienced stylists
- Makeup: Makeup for every day or special occasions from professional makeup artists
- Nails: Manicures and pedicures from experienced nail specialists
- Prepared meals: Ready-to-eat meals prepared by professional chefs
- Catering: Full-service catering with custom menus, decor, and equipment, plus setup and cleanup
Ensuring Quality and Expertise
Airbnb Services hosts have an average of 10 years of experience, have completed Airbnb’s identity verification process, and are required to submit relevant licenses and certifications. Many hosts are renowned in their fields—including chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning photographers, and elite trainers.
Airbnb Experiences
Airbnb Experiences, on the other hand, will offer users the opportunity to explore a city with locals who know it best. The platform will feature experiences in 650 cities around the world, including landmark, museum, and cultural experiences, food tours, cooking classes, and dining experiences, outdoors, water sports, and wildlife experiences, and more.
Airbnb Experiences are vetted for quality, with a focus on expertise, reputation, and authenticity. Hosts are assessed across areas like experience, their connection to the city, and guest feedback. And this process is ongoing—Airbnb regularly reviews experiences to make sure they meet high standards.
An All-New Airbnb App
In addition to the new features, Airbnb has also launched a redesigned app that makes it easy to book homes, services, and experiences—all in one place. The app features a new Explore tab, which allows users to discover homes in popular destinations, experiences that fit their schedule, and services around the world. The Trips tab provides an advanced travel itinerary with a schedule of the user’s trip, details about their home, and the services and experiences they’ve booked.
The app also features a revamped messaging platform with photo and video sharing, and integrated payments for customizing services. Users can also access their profile, which highlights where they’ve traveled on Airbnb and the people they’ve met along the way.
Implications and Future Developments
The introduction of Airbnb Services and Experiences marks a significant shift in the company’s business model, as it moves beyond simply providing a platform for booking accommodations. The new features are likely to have a major impact on the travel industry, as they provide users with a more comprehensive and immersive travel experience.
According to Chesky, "People choose hotels for their services. People choose Airbnbs for the space. Now, we’re giving you the best of both worlds—amazing homes with services that make them even more special."
Applications are now open for Airbnb Services and Experiences hosts. If you’re interested in becoming a host, you can apply now at Airbnb.com/host/services or Airbnb.com/host/experiences.
The Airbnb app is available starting today, with upgrades for hosts available today by enrolling in Airbnb Early Access in the app.
As reported by Airbnb’s official news site, the company is committed to providing users with a unique and authentic travel experience. With the launch of Airbnb Services and Experiences, the platform is poised to revolutionize the way people travel.
