Airbnb Pushes Major App Update, Expands Into Services and Experiences Bookings
Airbnb has unveiled a trio of announcements signaling a deliberate expansion beyond its traditional business model.
In a move seemingly aimed at aligning more closely with the all-inclusive experiences popular in today’s luxury travel market, Airbnb recently unveiled a trio of announcements signaling a deliberate expansion beyond its traditional business model
In a May 13 press release shared to its online newsroom, the company announced that it was launching Airbnb Services, Airbnb Experiences, and a new-and-improved app. Opening with a bit of self-congratulatory praise for its 2 billion guest arrivals and interest in changing the face of modern travel, the organization pivoted to explain a bit more about each of its new services.
“Seventeen years ago, we changed the way people travel. More than 2 billion guests later, Airbnb is synonymous with a place to stay,” CEO and Co-Founder Brian Chesky said. “With the launch of services and experiences, we’re changing travel again. Now you can Airbnb more than an Airbnb.”
The move notably positions the company into direct competition with other established travel booking businesses such as Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Viator, and GetYourGuide, as TechCrunch pointed out.
Airbnb Services: Private Chefs, Professional Massage and Spa Treatments, and More
Launching with 10 different categories in 260 cities, Airbnb Services is all about allowing guests to be truly pampered while they stay at a booked location. Gesturing toward the amenities one might see on the menu while staying at a well-appointed hotel or resort, the travel brand laid out the following initial categories of service being offered to guests.
Chef-cooked meals, catering (for larger groups), photography, massage, spa treatments, personal training, hair, makeup, nails, and on-site prepared meals were detailed in bullet points with brief descriptors attached to each.
Per the press release, Airbnb has thoroughly vetted each of the professionals attached to these services in their respective geographical markets, with an average of 10 years of experience being present in addition to a completion of the company’s identity verification process having taken place. That verification process also requires Service providers to submit relevant certifications and licenses.
“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,” Chesky added.
Airbnb Experiences: Museums, Food Tours, Wildlife Experiences, and Even Pro Wrestling Training
The travel company also appears to be betting big on its new Experiences option, something similar to an excursion from a high-end resort. Launching even wider than its Services selection, in 650 cities worldwide, Airbnb Experiences offers something for everyone. Museums and art gallery tours; food and dining classes or experiences; outdoor and wildlife treks; workout, wellness, and beauty experiences — including a chance to get involved with pro wrestling training — and more are prominently advertised.
Some celebrities are involved in certain localities as a subset of Experiences, termed Airbnb Originals — you can sign up to spend a Sunday funday with NFL star Patrick Mahomes — and almost all of these experiences are designed to be social, with your fellow attendees being displayed (functionality to be added later this year) before you book, and messaging between guests being available.
“Today’s travel activities offer no real connection to the city you’re visiting,” said Chesky. “The most authentic way to explore a city is with the locals who know it best. With Airbnb Experiences, don’t just see a place — experience it.”
Tying all of these novel introductions together is an all-new app, now boasting a revitalized Explore tab, Trips tab, messaging platform complete with integrated payments tech, and new listing tools for would-be or existing hosts.
Finally, while the new app complete with all of the bells and whistles is available for intrepid bookers to peruse, hosts will need to enroll in Airbnb Early Access to see the full suite of upgrades now on offer.
