Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said enforcing certain safety measures, like carbon monoxide detectors, across all listings worldwide is "very hard."
02.05.2024 - 10:59 / skift.com / Brian Chesky / Leeny Oberg / Anthony Capuano / Rashaad Jorden / Sean Oneill / Jane Alexander / Sarah Kopit / Airbnb Ceo
Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, May 2. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
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Airbnb is looking to make waves with the launch of nearly a dozen experience-based homes the company is calling “Icons.” CEO Brian Chesky discussed the new product, as well as AI, loyalty programs and other subjects in a wide-ranging interview with Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit.
Chesky described Icons as a “gateway” into the experiences category, which Airbnb has been eager to break into. He acknowledged Icons won’t be a classic revenue generator for Airbnb as the houses will either be free or low cost to guests.
In addition, Chesky said Airbnb is working on implementing AI-powered customer service. As for a loyalty program, Chesky said the company plans to start one. He’s adamant that it won’t be a points program, but said he’s open to other formats, including paid membership like Amazon Prime.
Next, Marriott believes post-pandemic domestic travel demand in the U.S. is leveling out despite a global boom, reports Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.
Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano said during the first-quarter earnings call that North American travel demand patterns were normalizing. U.S. and Canadian hotels saw their revenue per available room — a key industry metric — rise 1.5% from last year. Chief Financial Officer Leeny Oberg cited Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America as regions Marriott expects to see a year-over-year increase in revenue per available room.
Finally, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in its tourism infrastructure as part of its strategy to attract more visitors by the end of the decade. But Middle East Reporter Josh Corder writes there’s a growing belief that the kingdom’s Vision 2030 is too expensive for travelers.
A Wyndham executive at the recent Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh said Saudi Arabia could become too exclusive for travelers, stating that three-star hotels democratize travel. Another executive said Saudi officials aren’t focusing on developing mid-market hotels, which he called the core accommodation for any city — instead opting to boost the luxury sector.
Corder reports roughly 320,000 new hotels are expected to open in Saudi Arabia, and roughly 82% of them are in the luxury and upscale segments.
Presenter/Producer: Jane Alexander
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said enforcing certain safety measures, like carbon monoxide detectors, across all listings worldwide is "very hard."
Airbnb appeared to be doing a larger-than-usual purge of its travel experiences offerings from its site and app, leaving many providers of walking tours and other activities confused.
Skyrocketing demand for short-term rentals over the past four years created a gold rush of investors who purchased properties and set up new listings.
Airbnb recently launched a new category of experiences and stays called Icons that aims to tap into the power of pop culture.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, May 8. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
When Airbnb started, CEO Brian Chesky said its tagline "was a cheap, affordable alternative to a hotel" — but customers aren't finding it so cheap anymore.
Airbnb execs have used the phrase “expanding beyond the core” to mean launching new products and services for guests and hosts, and also their hope to lift growth beyond the company’s main five markets: The U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, and France.
Hatta Resorts and its Wadi Hub is proudly taking part in this year’s edition of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which opened yesterday and will run until 9 May at Dubai World Trade Centre. Known for glamping and its impressive line-up of exhilarating adventures amidst the picturesque natural landscape of the Hajar Mountains, the Hatta region is an all-rounded haven for a quick city escape. As Dubai’s largest nature reserve, Hatta is a multi-faceted sustainable destination that has an undeniable appeal for those seeking to relax or to engage in their next thrilling adventure. With over 351,000 visitors from September 2023 to April 2024, Hatta Resorts and its Wadi Hub had a successful season welcoming guests from the UAE and across the globe — a remarkable 40.4% increase to last season’s figures. Visitors to the Hatta stand, located in the Department of Economy and Tourism pavilion, at the conference, can also expect an exploratory introduction to the resort through visual and sensory demonstrations highlighting the resort’s offerings from the perspective of travellers.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, May 7. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Spirit CEO Ted Christie criticized the current state of the airline industry, saying that profits have been “concentrated around two companies,” during a call with analysts on Monday.
We reported last month that Airbnb Co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky’s compensation package could top $1 billion over a decade. It’s a lot, no doubt, but he’s also said he plans to give a lot away.
Ever dreamed of spending a night in the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, tucked in a bed crafted with the same leather as Ferrari car seats? What’s more, you’ll be surrounded by 110 elite trophies and encircled by the Ferrari cars that won those accolades and feel the speed of the Ferrari 296GTB on a private ride on the Pista di Fiorano, Ferrari’s private racetrack.