You can now book a chef or personal trainer while traveling with Airbnb
Share this @internewscast.com

Almost ten years ago, Airbnb had aspirations of being more than just an app for booking vacation homes. Its most recent redesign could mark a significant step toward evolving into what CEO Brian Chesky envisions as an “end-to-end travel app.”

The online platform for home rentals has previously made strides toward this vision. It introduced “Airbnb Experiences,” which includes tours, classes, and various activities available for booking through its app; launched a travel magazine; introduced hotel-style services; and offered “adventure” packages that comprised accommodations, transportation, and meals.

Then, the Covid-19 pandemic emerged—just months before the company went public—prompting Airbnb to retract some of these ambitions to concentrate on its primary services.

Now, Airbnb is returning to that vision of a full-service travel platform with new features, offerings and a redesign of its app. That includes a new “Airbnb Services” section where users can book chefs, masseuses, personal trainers and other types of service professionals to come to their Airbnb.

The new offerings could make Airbnb more competitive with travel platforms such as Expedia and Kayak, as well as with hotels, which can draw customers away from home stays with amenities such as restaurants and spas.

“One of the reasons why people don’t always want to stay with Airbnb (is) because we didn’t necessarily have all these other activities that you could do around the stay that maybe some more traditional hospitality has,” Airbnb Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson told CNN in an interview ahead of the announcement on Tuesday.

“We’ve been talking about expanding beyond the core for a long time. We now finally get to show it,” he said.

The announcement comes at an uncertain time for the travel industry, with concerns about the economy threatening to cause a slowdown in consumer spending on things like trips and experiences.

Earlier this month, despite a strong first quarter earnings report, Airbnb warned investors that growth in bookings could slow in the current quarter and that its average daily rate (how much it earns per one-night booking) would be flat year-on-year. The company has also faced lawsuits over privacy issues and increasing restrictions from local government in recent years. Airbnb shares (ABNB) have fallen more than 10% from a year ago, but are up 2% since the start of the year.

Giving users more to do on vacation

Starting on Tuesday, users can book service professionals directly from the Airbnb app through the new Services tab. There are 10 categories of services, including prepared meals, hair and make-up artists, and photographers, who will come to users’ Airbnb rentals.

For example, users can book a photographer for a “street style” photoshoot in Paris, or a personal chef for a barbecue meal in Austin, Texas. The company says service providers must apply and provide proof of experience and professional licenses before they can be listed on the app.

Service professionals can also go to users’ homes or other locations if they’re not staying at an Airbnb rental – a way to keep people using the site even when they’re not traveling. The feature will be available in 100 cities around the world to start.

The company is also revamping its Experiences section by adding new, exclusive offerings called “Airbnb Originals.”

Stephenson said Airbnb has teams around the world to work with locals to create experiences, such as a tour of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris with an architect who worked on its restoration, or a pastry-making class at The French Bastards bakery.

“They are in cities, literally on the ground, reaching out to the most creative, most amazing people. We can do things like search social media and then there’s also just word of mouth,” Stephenson said of the company’s acquisition teams, adding that experiences will now be available in 1,000 cities around the world.

Unlike some existing Airbnb Experiences, the new “originals” offerings won’t be bookable on other platforms like Tripadvisor or Viator. Users can also see the other people who have booked an experience and stay in touch and share photos on a message thread with the group afterward through the app (with privacy opt-outs available).

In keeping with the goal of creating a full-service travel app, Airbnb’s “Trips” tab will now look a bit more like a full-service travel planner.

Once users book a place to stay, they’ll automatically get recommendations for experiences and services in the area, and anything they book will show up in a timeline along with their stay details, check-in and check-out instructions, and other trip information.

“On the experiences front, this should be able to replace somebody going out to dinner for the weekend. They might now take a dining experience,” Stephenson said. “Or instead of going out to for a drink with friends, they could actually go on an experience to go wine tasting.”

And as for the current economic uncertainty, Stephenson said slowdowns can mean more hosts listing properties or experiences on the platform to earn extra income. The platform can also offer more cost-effective options for consumers in times of financial insecurity, he added.

“We also find that more people are more discerning about where they stay … It actually can be a help to our business,” he said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Utah gov marks turning point as TPUSA returns after Charlie Kirk assassination

Utah Governor Marks Milestone as TPUSA Reunites Following Incident Involving Charlie Kirk

LOGAN, Utah – Turning Point USA returned to Utah Tuesday night for…
US government is phasing out paper checks. Here's what that means for you

The U.S. Government is Ending Paper Checks: What You Need to Know

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government starts phasing out paper checks for…
UNC Suspends Redneck Revolt Professor

UNC Places Redneck Revolt Professor on Suspension

UNC Chapel Hill professor Dwayne Dixon, a self-identified member of the far-left…
Longtime customer shot at Jacksonville restaurant

Frequent Patron Injured in Shooting at Jacksonville Restaurant

A customer was shot during a weekend incident at Que Padre Mexican…
Chicago news today: Wrigleyville prepares for Cubs vs. San Diego Padres MLB playoff Wild Card games

Wrigleyville Braces for Cubs Showdown with San Diego Padres in MLB Wild Card Playoffs

CHICAGO (WLS) — The anticipation was palpable in Wrigleyville on Monday afternoon,…
Trump announces 100% tariff on foreign-made movies

Trump Introduces Full Tariff on Overseas Film Imports

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on Monday that he plans…
Court disqualifies Trump-appointed US attorney in Nevada from overseeing multiple criminal cases

Nevada Court Removes Trump-Appointed US Attorney from Handling Several Criminal Cases

In Las Vegas, a judge has disqualified the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in…
Iowa school superintendent resigns after ICE arrest rocks Des Moines district

Iowa School Chief Steps Down Following Immigration Arrest Impacting Des Moines District

The Iowa school superintendent, recently detained by federal immigration officials, has decided…
Louisiana's governor asks for National Guard deployment to New Orleans and other cities

Governor of Louisiana Requests National Guard Assistance for New Orleans and Other Cities

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Republican governor of Louisiana has requested National…
Turning Point, moving forward without Charlie Kirk, makes first return to Utah since his killing

Turning Point Moves Ahead Without Charlie Kirk, Visits Utah for the First Time Since His Death

LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Turning Point USA’s college tour is set to…
Teen Vogue Summit 2025 brings music, media, and powerful mentorship to young creators

The Teen Vogue Summit 2025 combines music, media, and inspiring mentorship for young creatives.

The 2025 Teen Vogue Summit took place in Los Angeles, where it…
Blue city felon with violent history arrested in deadly train platform stabbing after parole release: report

Violent Ex-Felon Recently Released on Parole Arrested for Fatal Stabbing at Train Platform, Report Says

Police and a local news report indicate that a paroled felon with…