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Airbnb for everyone; that is what they're calling it. Airbnb's roadmap for the future is a significant focus on the high-end side of its business. The news includes multiple changes; we're especially excited about the introduction of a loyalty program later in the year.
Changes To Property Types
Airbnb currently has 3 property types: Shared Space, Private Room, and Entire Home. The company will be adding 4 more to bring the number of types to 7. The 4 new property types are Vacation Home, Unique Space, B&B, and Boutique. Airbnb states that the new types will make it easier to navigate to exactly the kind of property you are looking for, as well as allowing individual hosts to stand out. These new properties will come online this summer.
Additional Property Tiers
Airbnb is also introducing more than 2,000 properties located in 13 cities. The new properties are part of a new tier, Airbnb Plus, and each home has been inspected and checked against 100+ point checklist to ensure they meet the highest standards of cleanliness, comfort, and design. The move will benefit both guests and hosts, by offering guests peace of mind that their choice has been verified, while hosts benefit from better placement and other services.
More Categories In Airbnb Collections
To meet the diverse demand of users, Airbnb is introducing collections with the launch of Airbnb for Family and Airbnb for Work. Both will have various collections to suit different activities, including weddings, honeymoons, and social stays. The company plans to introduce collections for dinner parties and group getaways later in the year.
New Luxury Options
In the spring Airbnb will be launching its luxury tier, Beyond by Airbnb. The new service is designed to offer custom designed trips with lodging at top-of-the-line luxury homes.
Expanding Benefits To The Community
Airbnb already has its super host program, which recognizes outstanding hosts. To further enhance the value of being a super host, the company will be adding 14 more benefits, including improved exposure on the site.
To beef up the guest side of the Airbnb community, the company will be launching its Superguest program. The program will start as a trial in the summer with 10,000 members, before being rolled out at the end of the year.
Our Take
Across the board, these are positive announcements from Airbnb. The company is listening to its customers and adapting to the demand of Airbnb guests & hosts.
We do not doubt that the new properties and experiences will be exciting, but we're most interested in how Airbnb will leverage the Superguest program. Will Airbnb eat the cost of the program or will they pass it on to the fees they charge hosts?
Regardless, they're blurring the lines between B&B/vacation rental and hotels. With more properties and more locations than any hotel brand, Airbnb is poised to continue to disrupt the hotel industry.
Don't forget, you can earn Delta SkyMiles for each stay with Airbnb. You just need to click through their portal!
Source: Live From The Lounge
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