Airbnb Update: Introducing Airbnb ‘Magical’ Roadmap

In a recent presentation in San Francisco, Airbnb unveiled some new Airbnb updates. The four-pronged plan, entitled “Roadmap to Bring Magical Travel to Everyone,” includes a host of new property types, new tiers, Airbnb Collections and community recognition features. You can watch the video here.

Brian Chesky, co-founder, CEO, and Head of Community of Airbnb, says that he hopes that the roadmap with Airbnb updates will be able to fill in the gaps in order to persuade more guests to choose Airbnb as the default solution for their accommodation needs. Airbnb’s goal is to exceed 1 billion annual guests by 2028.

“Ten years ago we never dreamed of what Airbnb could become. In fact, people thought the idea that strangers would stay in each other’s homes was crazy. Today, millions of people every night do just that. But we want to go further by supporting and expanding our community so that in ten years time, more than 1 billion people per year will experience the benefits of magical travel on Airbnb.”  says Chesky.

Here is a quick breakdown of the new changes and what they mean for hosts and guests.

Four New Property Types

The Airbnb update has made new property types available for hosts to select from when creating new listings. These four property types are Vacation Home, Unique, B&B and Boutiques. The new property types are in addition to the existing Entire Home, Private Room and Shared Space that are already available on the platform.

The company decided to make this Airbnb update because, with millions of properties, the three existing property types have simply become too broad to properly represent the wide variety of accommodations available. This Airbnb update also gives guests more transparency in determining which type of property they are renting before they book.

New Service Tiers

There are two new tiers of service available now thanks to the Airbnb update. These new tiers are Airbnb Plus and Airbnb Beyond. Here is a quick overview of the features of each tier:

Airbnb Plus

Airbnb Plus is a selection of high-quality, well-equipped homes with hosts known for great reviews and attention to detail. To help ensure guests’ comfort, each of these homes is verified in person against a 100+ point checklist. This service tier gives guests more choices of accommodation options.

It also helps hosts to better showcase what’s unique about their properties to better match with guests’ preferences. Hosts that have properties featured in Airbnb Plus will benefit from top placement, as well as, in-home services such as design consultation, photography, and premium support. This service tier will rollout in the summer of 2018.

Airbnb Beyond

Airbnb Beyond is a new luxury service that will be available in the spring of 2018. Airbnb Beyond will feature exclusively luxury properties with full-service hospitality. This Airbnb update is the result of the company’s acquisition of Luxury Retreats in 2017.

This service will give hosts who own luxury properties a true way of distinguishing themselves from other hosts on the platform. Beyond by Airbnb will offer custom designed trips that include custom experiences at some of the world’s finest homes.

Airbnb Collections

While Airbnb was initially launched as a solution for solo travel, the way that guests used the platform has evolved. To meet the needs of the various groups of travelers who use Airbnb, the company has rolled out an Airbnb updated called Collections, which is designed to provide guests with the “perfect home for every occasion.” Collections offer another way for hosts to market their properties by showing guests how their properties could be used for just about any special occasion.

For a property to be featured in the Collections, it must have a minimum 4.8-star rating. Already there are two collections available on the platform: Family and Work. Collections for Social Stays, Weddings, Honeymoons, Group Getaways, and Dinner Parties will come later this year as this Airbnb update rolls out.

Superguest Program

Airbnb will also begin to recognize its best guests with a new guest membership program. The Superguest Airbnb update will initially be launched to 10,000 guests as a trial during the initial launch this summer before rolling out to the entire community.

Updated Airbnb Superhost Program

Airbnb is also making changes to its Superhost program, which currently includes nearly a half million hosts globally. The Airbnb update expands the program to offer 14 new and updated benefits to hosts to help them to market their properties better. These benefits will include:

• A Superhost only search filter
• First for consideration in Airbnb Plus
• Increased marketing/search optimization
• Early access to new programs and test projects
• Exclusive invitations to Airbnb events
• Custom URL to promote your brand
• Yearly bonus
• Discounts on experiences and Nest connected home products
• Expert Webinars
• The ability to offer discounts to guests
• Tax preparation support
• Annual credit toward travel or photography
• Extra referral bonus
• Annual travel credit

In 2018, Airbnb has made a commitment to becoming a company that serves the interests of hosts at all levels, as well as, guests. These exciting updates can definitely help you to improve your earnings as a host on the platform. So get acquainted with the changes now so that you can decide how to best position your business for success as these Airbnb updates roll out.