Airbnb overhauls app to introduce new features including massages, museum tours | Technology News
Airbnb on Tuesday, May 13, announced new offerings that go beyond rentals as part of a broader app update.
Now, Airbnb users can book services such as massages, haircuts, personal training sessions, chef-prepared meals through its app. These services are being offered in 100 cities worldwide across eight countries.
Travelers can also take part in activities or ‘experiences’ such as cultural and museum tours, outdoor, watersport, and wildlife experiences; food tours and cooking classes; art workshops and shopping experiences; and workout, wellness, and beauty experiences. These experiences are being launched on the platform across 1,000 cities globally.
While users can book services and experiences as part of their stay at an Airbnb, they can also be booked independently, the company said.
“Seventeen years ago, we changed the way people travel. More than two billion guests later, Airbnb is synonymous with a place to stay. With the launch of services and experiences, we’re changing travel again. Now you can Airbnb more than an Airbnb,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO.
These updates are being rolled out to the iOS and Android versions of the Airbnb app globally, as well as the web version of the platform.
With these new offerings, Airbnb is looking to take on other travel companies and service providers such as Tripadvisor, Booking.com, and Yelp. The app redesign is likely meant to convert traffic into revenue. Chesky revealed in a recent earnings call that many users come to the Airbnb site but don’t make a booking. The Airbnb platform was accessed by over 1.5 billion devices last year, according to the CEO.
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Airbnb’s commission on each service and experience booked using the platform is 15 and 20 per cent, respectively. The company has also launched exclusive experiences on its platform called Airbnb Originals, where users can learn to make pastry at French Bastards bakery with chef Raphaelle Elbaz or play beach volleyball with Olympian Carolina Solberg on Rio’s Leblon Beach.
Later this year, Airbnb is also gearing up to roll out social features on its app, including a group messaging feature for planning trips.
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