Airbnb Services and Experiences

Product Introduction

1. Airbnb Services and Experiences is an expansion of Airbnb’s platform beyond home rentals, offering professionally vetted services (like in-home chefs, spa treatments, and personal training) and locally hosted travel activities (such as cultural tours and cooking classes). The product integrates these offerings into a redesigned app that unifies bookings for accommodations, services, and experiences. It aims to transform travel by combining the convenience of hotel-like services with the authenticity of local experiences.

2. The core value lies in creating a seamless travel ecosystem where users can access curated services and immersive activities without leaving the Airbnb platform. It bridges the gap between traditional hotel amenities and vacation rentals while enabling travelers to connect deeply with local cultures through expert-led experiences.

Main Features

1. Airbnb Services: Offers 10 categories of professional services across 260 cities, including in-home chefs, licensed spa treatments, personal training, and beauty services. Hosts are vetted for expertise (average 10 years of experience), verified identities, and required certifications/licenses. Services start under $50, with instant booking and availability even for non-Airbnb guests.
2. Airbnb Experiences: Provides 650+ cities with activities hosted by locals, such as museum tours with restoration architects, Michelin-chef-led cooking classes, and celebrity-hosted events like Lucha libre training. Experiences are validated for authenticity, host expertise, and ongoing quality reviews, including exclusive Airbnb Originals with global icons like Megan Thee Stallion and Olympians.
3. All-New App: Redesigned interface with integrated trip planning, including personalized recommendations for services/experiences based on location and traveler profiles. Features include a Trips tab for itinerary management, real-time Google Calendar sync for hosts, and social tools to connect with other guests pre/post-experience.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point Addressed: Traditional vacation rentals lack integrated services (e.g., spas, dining) that hotels provide, while tour activities often feel generic. Airbnb Services and Experiences eliminate the need to use multiple platforms by centralizing vetted, high-quality options.
2. Target Users: Travelers seeking personalized, local-centric trips and professionals (chefs, trainers, etc.) looking to monetize their skills. Hosts gain tools to manage services/experiences alongside property rentals.
3. Use Cases: A family booking a vacation home can add a private chef and guided cultural tour; a local fitness trainer expands their clientele by offering sessions through Airbnb; a solo traveler discovers hidden city gems via expert-led experiences.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Combines home rentals, services, and experiences in one app—unlike competitors like Booking.com or Viator, which specialize in isolated categories. Services are available to non-guests, expanding market reach.
2. Innovation: Airbnb Originals feature exclusive access to celebrities and experts (e.g., Patrick Mahomes teaching football, Sabrina Carpenter hosting glam workshops). The app’s AI-driven recommendations use traveler data to suggest context-aware activities.
3. Competitive Edge: Rigorous host vetting (10+ years average experience, license verification) ensures quality, while global scale (260+ service cities, 650+ experience cities) surpasses niche platforms. Social features and identity-verified profiles enhance trust and community engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Are Airbnb Services available in all locations? Airbnb Services are currently available in 260 cities but excluded in regions like Brazil and Puerto Rico. Geographic availability and service categories will expand through 2025.
2. Do I need to book an Airbnb home to use Services or Experiences? No—services like massages or haircuts can be booked independently, and experiences are open to all users regardless of accommodation bookings.
3. How do I book celebrity-hosted Airbnb Originals? Select Originals (e.g., Megan Thee Stallion’s Otaku Hottie Quest) require a request via the app, subject to age/geographic eligibility. Others, like Carol Solberg’s volleyball sessions, allow instant booking.
4. What safeguards ensure service quality? Hosts undergo identity verification, license/certification checks, and recurring quality reviews. Guest ratings and years of experience (e.g., Michelin chefs, award-winning photographers) are displayed on listings.
5. Can hosts manage both properties and services? Yes—the redesigned app includes unified tools like Airbnb Setup for listing creation, a Today tab for reservation management, and calendar sync for scheduling across services/experiences.