Airbnb unveils revamp as it expands ‘beyond stays’ to challenge hotel sector

Airbnb has unveiled a major revamp and expansion to its app and the services it offers in an update one executive has called “transformational”.

At an event in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the property rental firm announced it would now offer users the chance to book services such as a private chef or personal trainer alongside their stay, as well as a revamp of its experiences feature which enables users to book sightseeing tours, classes and other experiences.

The firm said these new features would be housed in a newly redesigned app, where users could organise all aspects of their trip in one place.

Airbnb chief business officer Dave Stephenson told the PA news agency that the update was an intentional expansion of what Airbnb traditionally does, and had been inspired, in part, by Amazon’s move beyond being an online bookstore.

“We’re talking about expanding beyond the core (of the service),” he told PA.

“We’ve thought of Airbnb like Amazon – Amazon moved from books to many, many things; Airbnb moved from stays to many, many things.

“It’s really the first day of expanding into these new areas and rebuilding even the way in which you interact with Airbnb, the way the app works, the way in which you experience things.”

“We are redoing the app, so you’ll have stays, you’ll have services and you’ll have experiences and when you book them, the app works with you so that it integrates it into your itinerary.

“You can actually know who else is travelling on these trips and interact with them through messaging, and there are also brand new tools for hosts.”

“We have an incredible business, but I’d call it a nice two or three-storey building, and now we’re building the foundation that will enable this to a hundred-story skyscraper.”

Airbnb said that, at launch, it will have 10 categories of services available in 260 cities around the world, with more to be added in the future.

Those include spa treatments, hair and make-up, nails, prepared meals and catering services.

The upgraded experiences feature will allow users to book things such as landmark, museum and cultural experiences, led by local experts, as well as outdoor and wildlife tours and other classes.

Airbnb confirmed these would be available in more than 650 cities around the world, with more to be added.

The site’s co-founder and chief executive Brian Chesky said the revamp of the platform meant users no longer had to choose between a hotel or an Airbnb when they were deciding on if they wanted amenities or space.

“Seventeen years ago, we changed the way people travel. More than two billion guests later, Airbnb is synonymous with a place to stay,” he said.

“With the launch of services and experiences, we’re changing travel again. Now you can Airbnb more than an Airbnb.”

“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.”

Martyn Landi