Latest news with #AirbnbOriginals
Skift
27-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Airbnb Exec: 'We've Learned a Lot About Experiences' – Full Video, Skift Asia Forum
Airbnb thinks its focus on high-quality experiences is the way to stand out in a crowded field. Airbnb Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson recently spoke at the Skift Asia Forum in Bangkok, where he discussed the company's rollout of its new products for experiences and services Airbnb first tried offering experiences in 2016 and again in 2022, but it had paused those efforts. Airbnb has 'learned a lot about experiences over the last few years," Stephenson told Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit. Airbnb is also expanding into travel-related services such as personal chefs, photographers, and fitness trainers, services that replicate amenities often found in hotels but are now bookable through the Airbnb app. He also discussed Airbnb Originals, which include cooking lessons with Michelin-starred chefs in Tokyo and hangouts with celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion. Watch a full video of the discussion below: Highlights from Airbnb Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson About Airbnb Originals: 'These are amazing experiences hosted by locals that know the cities best… high quality, interesting activities that people can do in cities all around the world.' On Airbnb's Focus on Quality: 'We don't just let any experience onto Airbnb. We have dedicated people that are reaching out and finding experiences ... We have some amazing, iconic experiences. But we're also bringing them down to local people that know those cities best.' About Airbnb's Ambition to Become a One-Stop Travel Platform: 'There's no app on the internet that's actually providing all of these services… We're eliminating reasons why people wouldn't want to stay in an Airbnb.' On a Challenging Economic Environment: 'We could actually see people hosting experiences or maybe they're experts at specific services, and they can actually do these to earn more money. So in times of economic uncertainty, they can bring their time and energy to be hosts.' About Airbnb's Expansion Into Travel-Related Amenities: "Now you can bring the spa to your Airbnb. You can bring your personal trainer to an Airbnb. You can have prepared meals or a chef come to you. So now, it's one more reason why an Airbnb is a better way to travel."
Skift
15-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Can Airbnb Experiences Stand Out? It's Betting on Quality
The platform is offering experiences only available with Airbnb, like classes with Michelin star chefs and hang-out with singers, to differentiate itself from competitors. Airbnb is betting that standing out in a crowded field of experience platforms comes down to quality. Its strategy is to focus on "unique experiences" and to emphasize local providers that have been vetted. Airbnb has 'learned a lot about experiences over the last few years," said Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson, who was speaking at the Skift Asia Forum just two days after the company relaunched its experiences product. Airbnb first tried offering experiences in 2016 and again in 2022, but it had paused those efforts. 'We've learned that people really desire them. But we need to make sure they are unique, different, and of the city,' Stephenson said. The latest experiences offerings are centered around curated activities hosted by what Stephenson called 'the world's most interesting people doing amazingly interesting things.' These curated experiences, called Airbnb Originals, include learning to make ramen with Michelin-starred chefs in Tokyo, or an experience with singer with Megan Thee Stallion. 'We don't just let any experience onto Airbnb,' Stephenson said. 'We're only bringing on experience hosts that know the city best.' 'Eliminating Reasons' Not to Stay With Airbnb Airbnb is also expanding into travel-related services such as personal chefs, photographers, and fitness trainers, services that replicate amenities often found in hotels but are now bookable through the Airbnb app. 'There are many reasons why you might want to go to a hotel to use the spa or gym,' Stephenson said. 'Well now you can bring your personal trainer or prepared meals or a chef to you.' These offerings are not tied to an Airbnb booking. 'You can do it in your Airbnb, in your own home, at the person's location,' he said. All bookings — stays, services, and experiences — are integrated under the 'Trips' tab in the Airbnb app. 'It makes it easy to find, easy to know where to be, when, and then it just makes the entire experience better.' 'We're just trying to make sure the stay is better, we're eliminating reasons why people wouldn't want to stay in Airbnb,' he added. 'We're trying to make these really approachable and affordable things you can do in your own town. Maybe you don't even need to travel and you can take an experience on a Saturday night,' Stephenson said. The average price of an experience is now $66 dollars, he said, with 50% of the platform's new services offerings priced under $50. Growing Local Travel Markets Airbnb is focusing on supporting travel markets differently in each community, Stephenson said. China is one of the top five outbound travel markets and Airbnb is focusing on 'making sure we support outbound Chinese travelers in the place they love to travel, like Korea and Japan,' highlighting experiences offerings like K-Pop band concerts, he said. 'In Korea, we need to make sure we show up locally - so we've added Navar Pay,' Stephenson said. Navar Pay is a mobile payment service popular in Korea. In Japan, where Stephenson noted 'very few people actually know about Airbnb', the company launched its first brand campaign last year. 'We've started to communicate it and talk to Japanese travelers that like to travel nearby, near their home, to get away for the weekend, about why Airbnb is a good way to do it.' 'Now we have a significant increase in the number of Japanese people that consider Airbnb as a way to travel. We have different approaches in each community and it's working really well,' he said.
7NEWS
15-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Airbnb introduces ‘services' and ‘experiences' for seamless holiday getaways
Booking a trip away has never been easier, and we've got Airbnb to thank for that. Offering a 'home away from home' experience, it's become a one-stop-shop for holiday rentals, cabins, beach houses and more, with thousands of accomodation options across the globe. Whether you're planning a luxurious city break in Paris, or looking to cosy up in the countryside for th weekend, there's endless homes to choose from, all located in the convenient and easy-to-use Airbnb app (or browser if you're searching on a desktop). But now you can book even more than just your accomodation. As of this week, Airbnb has extended their offerings, expanding to services and experiences, which can be booked directly through the new-look app which makes it easier than ever to plan, book and manage your itinerary. Think in-house chefs, massages and more, you could tailor your Airbnb stay to get the most out of your trip. Airbnb Services Whether you're after a chef for a special dinner, a photographer to update family photos or a hair and makeup artist for a special event, you can book all types of 'services' on Airbnb such as: Chefs Prepared meals Catering Photography Personal Training Massage Spa treatments Hair styling Makeup Nails All services available on Airbnb have been vetted for quality, ensuring hosts on offer are highly rated by customers and are recognised in their fields for the best experience. Airbnb Experiences Giving you the true 'local' taste, Airbnb experience offer incredible one-on-one interaction with local hosts who know the hidden delights in their own city. From walking food tours to exhilerating water sports, you could be exploring a new place in an authentic way. Think outdoor adventures, cooking classes, wellness classes and beauty experiences, you can now browse through a wide range of experience in the all-new Airbnb app. Aussies can even book to train with an ex Navy instructor on Bondi Beach or sip and savour Melbourne's coffee scene. Airbnb Originals For Aussies looking to elevate their travel experiences, Airbnb Originals has been introduced in many cities across the globe. Offering incredible experiences hosted by some of the world's most interested people, these bookings have been designed exlusively for Airbnb. Learn pastry-making at the renowned French Bastards bakery with chef Raphaelle Elbaz. Play beach volleyball with Olympian Carol Solberg on Rio's iconic Leblon Beach. Tap into your inner anime hero with Megan Thee Stallion, who's bringing her Otaku Hottie Quest to life. Hang out with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City for a football-filled Sunday complete with his signature spiral and favourite BBQ.
14-05-2025
- Business
Airbnb launches new services ahead of summer travel season
Airbnb is taking on hotels… again. The vacation rental platform is redesigning its app and expanding its offerings with the launch of Airbnb Services and Airbnb Experiences, letting users go beyond booking a room or home stay and choose from a variety of amenities, similar to what hotel chains and cruises offer to guests. "With the launch of services and experiences, we're changing travel again. Now you can Airbnb more than an Airbnb," Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky said in a statement. With Airbnb Services, users can book services in 10 categories: catering, chefs, hair, makeup, massage, nails, personal training, photography, prepared meals and spa treatments. Users aren't required to stay in an Airbnb or be on a trip to access services. The new feature is launching in 260 cities globally, and Airbnb promised "new offerings and locations dropping regularly in the Airbnb app" going forward. "People choose hotels for their services. People choose Airbnbs for the space," Chesky continued. "Now, we're giving you the best of both worlds -- amazing homes with services that make them even more special." The company said the service hosts and their services will be "vetted for quality through an evaluation of expertise and reputation" and touted high-quality hosts such as Michelin-starred chefs and elite personal trainers as examples. Airbnb said it will require service hosts to provide proof of identity and submit licenses and certifications in order to provide services on the platform. Along with services, Airbnb is introducing "reimagined" Airbnb Experiences and Airbnb Originals as well. Users can reserve an array of activities such as cultural experiences, shopping trips, food tours, outdoor excursions, workout sessions and wildlife encounters in 650 cities. Airbnb Originals also takes these activities to the next level with celebrity hosts, including a beach volleyball game with Olympian Carol Solberg, for example, or a visit to the Short n' Sweet set with pop star Sabrina Carpenter.
Android Authority
14-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
Airbnb graduates from stays to in-house services and unique experiences with major app overhaul
TL;DR Airbnb's app has undergone a massive overhaul that goes beyond cosmetic upgrades. In addition to a new look, the upgraded app now offers users various services and experiences. You can use the app to book in-house chefs, massages, trainers, or unique experiences with locals. Airbnb just launched a revamped version of its app that brings more than just cosmetic changes. In addition to an updated design, the app now lets you book various services, like in-house chefs, massages, and haircuts, along with unique experiences with locals. With this expansion, Airbnb aims to become a one-stop destination for all your travel needs, except booking tickets to your destination. In addition to helping you book accommodation, the Airbnb app now lets you book services across 10 categories. Airbnb plans to add more categories in the future, but for now, you can use the app to book in-house chefs, chef-prepared meals, catering services, photographers, personal trainers, massages, spa treatments, hairstylists, make-up artists, and nail stylists. Airbnb says that all service professionals on its platform are evaluated for expertise and reputation to ensure you have the best experience. The company will initially offer these services in 100 cities across eight countries, and may expand to more locations later. Along with the new in-house services, Airbnb is relaunching tailored Experiences. The company initially launched the feature in 2016 to offer users an easy way to find authentic cultural, culinary, or adventure experiences hosted by locals. However, it paused new experience submissions in 2023 to 'focus on perfecting the core service.' The upgraded Airbnb Experiences feature expands various categories, including cultural tours, outdoor excursions with adventure activities, art workshops, food tours, and wellness or beauty experiences. There are 19 categories to choose from, and these experiences are available in 1,000 cities worldwide. The app also has some exclusive experiences called Airbnb Originals, which allow you to hang out and try new things with celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and Megan Thee Stallion. To promote these services and experiences, the Airbnb app will now offer recommendations when you book accommodation. These services and experiences will also be available in dedicated tabs on the home screen, even if you don't use the app to book your stay. Airbnb is also planning to roll out a new social feature to the app later this year, which will allow users who participate in an experience together to chat with each other, share photos, or make plans for another trip. The company is also working on new functionality for its AI assistant to offer users tailored responses based on their trip bookings. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
