Airbnb's Uncertain Experiences Strategy

Florence has been at the top of my travel bucket list for years, and this summer I finally crossed it off. It's since made its way to the top of another list of mine—my ranking of favorite cities. The food, the architecture, the rich history, and, of course, the gelato make it a city like no other. What I loved most about Florence was how surprisingly small it is—every restaurant, museum, and tourist attraction I hoped to visit was in walking distance of one another, which made seeing everything I possibly could see during my three-day stay doable. Hoping for an accommodation that was a little more homey and spacious than a hotel, my partner and I booked a gorgeous Airbnb with a private terrace in the heart of Florence.

The late Jimmy Buffett’s popular song “Margaritaville” was based on his time in Key West. Although Margaritaville was a fictional oasis (turned restaurant and resort) where people operated on island time, the Florida Keys is a real-life sanctuary where the sun sets in the west and it's always five o’clock. It's also a great place for a group trip. I hadn’t been on one of this magnitude since my high school marching band and I bombarded the staff at Kalahari. During the week-long vacation with 14 friends, I was most interested in going to the beach, enjoying the pool, and napping in the sun (lathered in sunscreen, of course) without a care in the world.

Staying in an Airbnb when visiting Kyoto is a great idea for anyone looking to experience the city like a local. An Airbnb rental gives travelers access to unique neighborhoods and accommodation options that can’t be found elsewhere. Furthermore, many Airbnb rentals are located close to popular tourist attractions, making them ideal for those who want easy access to the area’s must-see sights. These Kyoto Airbnbs showcase the best of the city.

Zurich boasts stunning scenery with the snow-capped Alps in the distance and offers plenty of activities and attractions to explore. It has enchanting streets lined with historic architecture, plus excellent restaurants and nightlife spots. Shopping opportunities abound in Zurich – from luxury boutiques to bustling markets and charming little stores. Zurich is also known for its vibrant culture, with plenty of art galleries, museums, theaters and festivals to enjoy. These Zurich Airbnbs put you close to it all.

Airbnb launched its latest brand campaign, “Get an Airbnb,” last week, using animation styles reminiscent of the previous “Airbnb It” campaign from last fall that targeted hosts. 

Three Trivago executives returned to the company in May after a 3-year absence, and two months later they brought back a semi-controversial ad pitchman, the Trivago Guy.

Building on initiatives that had mixed results in the past, Airbnb is debuting an Airbnb-Friendly Apartments program to enable long-term renters in multifamily buildings where landlords permit it to list their rooms or apartments on Airbnb.

When pressed about an analytics company report that found 38 percent of Airbnb hosts offered only one listing, an Airbnb spokesperson countered this week, without elaboration, that “the vast majority of active Airbnb hosts are sharing just one home as single-listing hosts.”

Americans want savvy pricing regarding their travel experiences in the new year, as they keep an open mind about the type of things they plan to book. 

People perceived to be African American or Black still see their prospective Airbnb reservations rejected by hosts at higher rates than any other racial group, but the company made changes to Instant Book last month to attempt to ease the injustice.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Experience Days is betting on a thriving experiences economy, and Americans wanting to spend more time doing meaningful things together, by expanding its U.K. brand across the pond.

It’s been eight years since Tripadvisor took over Viator. And while Tripadvisor at one point downplayed Viator as an acquired brand, Tripadvisor could now be changing tack with its current two-brand experiences strategy.