Since the launch of Airbnb in 2008, there have been upwards of 1 billion guests worldwide. The mega-popular vacation rental platform is expecting approximately 300 million guests to book this year.
With continued growth, the San Francisco based company is still evolving. As travel expenses have shot through the roof in 2023, Airbnb is thinking ahead.
That’s why they are making the most extensive upgrades yet! Airbnb is launching over 50 new features, including a category with money-conscience travelers in mind.
User Feedback Has Provided Over 50 New Features And Upgrades
Airbnb wants to improve all facets of its business and user interface. Valuable feedback from guests and hosts alike has been taken into consideration for all the latest features.
“Millions of people have given us feedback on how to improve Airbnb. We’ve listened.“ Said Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb.
Mr. Chesky followed up with, “Today, we’re introducing the most extensive set of updates ever. Our design-driven approach means we’re always making Airbnb better, and our over 50 new features and upgrades are just the beginning. We will never stop improving Airbnb.”
Here are some of the highlights of the latest features of Airbnb:
Instant credit from cancellations – if a host cancels on a guest within 30 days of the booked itinerary, many guests will get an instant credit that can be used at another property
Partnership with Klarna – Airbnb is now partners with Klarna, which allows guests to pay over time for stays in the U.S. and Canada. Although, more countries will be added on periodically.
24/7 customer support – Guests will have access to a 24/7 customer service team with the goal of answering 9 out of 10 calls in English in under 2 minutes
Newly designed wishlists – Anyone else like to late-night scroll through dreamy Airbnb listings? Now adding them to a wishlist is easier than ever with a new calendar and section to add notes
Better maps – Over 3/4 of users check maps on listings. Improvements have been made with quicker performance, better zooming and panning accuracy and more search results.
Clearer checkout details – Checkout instructions will now be visible from the listing page before paying. A reminder will also be sent before leaving the property, such as:
- Throw garbage away
- Turn off porch light
- Leave key in lockbox
Cost transparency – One common complaint about Airbnb is the fees upon checkout. The total price will be displayed on the entire app, whether it’s the maps, listings or search results.
For hosts, Airbnb is adding 25 improvements, including new tools for pricing and comparisons with similar listings in the region.
Airbnb’s Newest Category For Budget Travelers
Airbnb is going back to its roots where it all started. The company was initially founded with the idea of monetizing staying in someone’s home.
Typically, this type of arrangement is cheaper for guests and a great way to meet locals for inside travel knowledge.
Private rooms are most often under $100 per night, with an average cost of $67 per night. As a result, Airbnb is launching Airbnb Rooms, the latest category for those looking to save money while on the road.
Airfare is skyrocketing, but people still want to travel. Some of the best memories are made by having authentic experiences far away from home.
This new category encapsulates all of this by offering an affordable stay and an authentic approach to meeting locals.
With the current economic landscape, there is no better time to try something so unique. Airbnb has taken feedback from both sides of the platform to try their best to perfect Rooms.
The platform already offers private rooms, but they are encouraging more people to consider the idea of staying with a stranger.
Obviously, a guest needs to be comfortable with a host and vice versa. That’s why Airbnb is introducing the Host Passport.
Exclusive to Rooms only, this new feature will allow guests to learn more about the host before clicking “Reserve”.
To make guests feel even more comfortable, privacy safeguards have been added, such as listing whether to not bedroom doors have locks or not and if the bathroom is shared.
For more details and updates, travelers should visit the official website of Airbnb.
