As part of a major app redesign, Airbnb has added a dedicated services and experiences section to its app. Now, people can book haircuts, photography sessions, professional yoga sessions, or some form of outdoor activity. The services and experiences on the redesigned app can be booked with a regular stay or independently.
Airbnb paused an earlier version of experiences in 2023 to focus on its core service of stays. According to TechCrunch, the company has relaunched experiences and services to capitalise on the existing traffic on the platform.
Airbnb Services is launching with 10 categories in 260 cities. The first 10 categories include chefs, catering, prepared meals, nails, photography, personal training, massage, spa treatments, and makeup. The company says people can get services with an entry price below $50. Airbnb has partnered with hosts to design offerings exclusive to the platform.
“Airbnb Services are vetted for quality through an evaluation of expertise and reputation,” the company shared in its product announcement. 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.”
“People choose hotels for their services. People choose Airbnbs for the space,” said Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky. “Now, we’re giving you the best of both worlds—amazing homes with services that make them even more special.”
For experiences, the company says it wants to provide “a more authentic” way for people to experience cities during their stays. Experiences is launching in 650 cities worldwide. Some of the available experiences are landmarks, museums, food tours, cooking classes, wildlife, outdoors, and beauty experiences.
Airbnb is also introducing Airbnb Originals, which offer specially curated experiences with celebrities. Experiences with Airbnb Originals include learning how to make pastries at French Bastards bakery with chef Raphaelle Elbaz, beach volleyball with Olympian Carol Solberg on Leblon Beach, and transforming into your anime alter-ego with Megan Thee Stallion.
As part of the app redesign, people will be able to participate in social interactions. “Later this year, you’ll be able to see who’s going before you book, message the group or individual guests during the experience, and stay in touch afterward—all with simple and transparent privacy controls” Airbnb says. “And you don’t have to be travelling to join in—we think Airbnb Experiences are so great, you’ll want to book them in your own city.”
The app update puts Airbnb in competition with other hospitality and travel companies such as Tripadvisor and Booking.com. Since its launch over 16 years ago, Airbnb has facilitated more than 2 billion guest arrivals.
