Airbnb is revamping its platform to enhance user experience by offering more than just vacation rentals. The redesigned app and website will feature “Airbnb Services” and “Airbnb Experiences,” allowing travelers to book additional services like personal chefs, massage therapists, and professional trainers directly through the platform. These services will be available in 260 cities, with providers vetted for quality, ensuring they have significant experience and necessary certifications.

The “Airbnb Experiences” feature will provide unique activities in 650 cities, such as cooking classes and gallery tours, aimed at fostering social interactions among participants. Users will have the ability to connect with others before, during, and after the experiences, all while maintaining privacy controls. This feature also allows bookings in users’ home cities, making it accessible even without travel.

This strategic expansion aims to transform Airbnb into a comprehensive travel service, enhancing its competitiveness against traditional hotels and other travel platforms that offer a range of amenities. This vision, initially proposed by the CEO nearly a decade ago, was delayed due to the pandemic but is now being realized to better serve travelers’ needs.