Airbnb to launch new initiatives for future growth
Airbnb, US-based online accommodation platform, has said it is adding four new property types to its existing ones. It also plans to launch new tiers of homes that have been personally verified for quality and comfort. The offerings come at a time when the company has completed 10 years. Airbnb is also launching a new guest membership programme offering benefits across the entire trip.
The journey so far
The company, said in a statement, that the new guest membership programme named 'Superguest' will be launched initially for 10,000 guests as a trial this summer before being rolled out to wider guest community by the end of the year. Airbnb co-founder, CEO and Head of Community Brian Chesky said, "10 years ago we never dreamt of what Airbnb could become."
'1 billion people/year will experience the benefits of Airbnb'
He added that people thought the idea that strangers would stay in each other's homes was crazy. Today, millions of people every night do just that. Chesky said, "But we want to go further by supporting and expanding our community so that in 10 years time, more than 1 billion people per year will experience the benefits of magical travel on Airbnb."
Why are they including new property types?
Airbnb said, over the years, the types of properties on the platform have become increasingly diverse from treehouses to boutique hotels but it's still only possible to navigate by three property types - Shared Space, Private Room, and Entire Home. So, the company will add four new property types- Vacation Home, Unique Space, B&B, and Boutique, giving greater choice of accommodation.
Airbnb will be launching many other new programmes
Founded in 2008, the company will be launching another tier of homes this spring, named 'Beyond by Airbnb' that will offer custom designed trips, including the world's finest homes, custom experiences and world-class hospitality. It will launch a new tier of homes 'Airbnb Plus' that have been personally verified for quality and comfort. In addition to these, it is also launching 'Airbnb Collections'.
