Airbnb Redefines Travel with New Services and Experiences
Airbnb, once known solely as a platform for accommodations, has evolved into a comprehensive travel experience provider. At the Airbnb 2025 Summer Release in Los Angeles, California, the company announced significant changes to its application and the introduction of new service categories. These updates aim to transform travel by offering personalized services and curated experiences in 260 cities worldwide.
Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, stated, “Seventeen years ago, we changed the way people travel. With over 2 billion guests later, Airbnb is synonymous with a place to stay. Now, with the launch of services and experiences, we’re revolutionizing travel once again. Airbnb is now much more than just an Airbnb.”
Services Section: Direct Access to Professionals
The most notable feature is the addition of a “Services” section, enabling users to hire private chefs, personal trainers, stylists, masseuses, tour guides, and other professionals directly through the app. This feature is currently available in over 260 cities, mirroring the hotel luxury model where guests access personalized services without needing to rent a property.
“We’re building a technological infrastructure so hospitality services can also be distributed by individuals, similar to how accommodations are,” explained Chesky.
Cultural Experiences and Celebrity Access
Another key focus of the redesign is strengthening “Experiences,” a feature that allows users to book guided activities hosted by local residents. In this new phase, Airbnb expands its offerings to include proposals developed in collaboration with internationally recognized celebrities, artists, and athletes.
Users can now learn pastry-making at the renowned French Bastards bakery in Paris alongside chef Raphaelle Elbaz or practice beach volleyball with Olympic athlete Carol Solberg at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Leblon Beach.
“Current travel activities don’t provide a genuine connection to the city you’re visiting,” said Chesky. “The most authentic way to explore a city is with locals who know it best.”
Revamped Application for Seamless Trip Planning
The application’s redesign not only incorporates these new features but also reorganizes navigation to simplify comprehensive trip planning. Users can now manage accommodations, complementary services, experiences, and complete itineraries from a single location.
Moreover, extended host profiles for service and experience providers have been enabled, allowing verification of credentials, review consultation, professional background knowledge, and direct communication. The new interface also employs artificial intelligence to suggest activities and personalized recommendations based on user preferences and travel history.
With over 2 billion guests served since its founding, Airbnb aims to address the evolving demands of global tourism: greater personalization, local engagement, on-demand services, and high-value emotional experiences.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main focus of Airbnb’s recent updates? The primary focus is to transform travel by offering personalized services and curated experiences in 260 cities worldwide.
- How does the new “Services” section work? The “Services” section allows users to hire private chefs, personal trainers, stylists, masseuses, tour guides, and other professionals directly through the app.
- What are the new “Experiences” offerings? Airbnb collaborates with internationally recognized celebrities, artists, and athletes to provide unique activities such as pastry-making lessons in Paris or beach volleyball sessions with Olympic athletes.
- How does the revamped application improve trip planning? The redesigned app simplifies comprehensive trip planning by allowing users to manage accommodations, complementary services, experiences, and complete itineraries from a single location.
- What are Airbnb’s goals with these changes? Airbnb aims to address the evolving demands of global tourism, including greater personalization, local engagement, on-demand services, and high-value emotional experiences.
