Airbnb announced exciting new additions to its platform today, and you’re going to want to update your travel bucket lists immediately once you hear them.
Today during a press conference in San Francisco, the company announced that in an effort to truly include opportunities for everyone they will add four new property types, new property collections for themed travel, and new tiers to categorize homes based on customer appeal. While the company’s motto is “Everyone can belong anywhere,” co-founder Brian Chesky said that their global footprint has helped them achieve the “everywhere” but Airbnb wasn’t yet for “everyone.”
“Ten years later,” says Chesky. “Airbnb is still an alternative, it’s still not for everyone. Today we will show you our roadmap so that Airbnb can be for everyone.”
The first stop on that roadmap is exciting new property types that match the ever-changing needs of wanderlust fans today. Seeking out unique property types, like treehouses and yurts, has typically required more of a deep dive on the site. In the past, users could only search the platform based on three options: Shared Space, Private Room and Entire Home. Now Airbnb will offer four new property types to search from—vacation home, unique spaces (think boats, domes and tree houses), B&Bs, and boutique.
New Airbnb Collections will offer unique home collections designed to match the most popular types of trips travelers are searching for—like, family trips, group getaways and honeymoons. Airbnb is launching nine exciting new collection in total but the family and work collections are available beginning today.
For travelers in search of verified listings approved by people who share their needs (homes near popular hotspots) and preferences (chic décor please!), Airbnb will soon offer two new travel tiers for home listings, Airbnb Plus and Beyond Airbnb, a luxury travel tier. The Airbnb plus homes have been personally verified for quality and comfort by hosts and past guests. (Get your phones ready because the listings already categorized under Airbnb Plus shown at the conference today are pure Instagram gold.) Each home has been verified for cleanliness, comfort/quality and exceptional design. Customers who book Airbnb Plus listings will come with a premium support team for guests to reach out to if they need anything during their stay. Airbnb Plus is available beginning today. Beyond Airbnb tier properties will include some of the finest, most luxurious properties the site has to offer, along with custom experiences.
The company also announced the launch of their Superguest program, which will launch in late summer, and offer loyal Airbnb users perks like airport picks ups and concierge services. The program launch will offer 10,000 users these custom bonus experiences.
Airbnb, which first launched in August 2008, has hosted over 300 million guest arrivals in its ten years existence.