Travel Industry News at TravelNewsAsia.com since 1997
Thu, 4 May 2023

Airbnb Launches Rooms and Makes 50+ Changes to Platform

(04/05/23)  Airbnb has forecast that approximately 300 million people will make use of the platform this year.

To better serve both the guests and hosts, the company is making the most extensive set of improvements in its history, starting with the introduction of Airbnb Rooms, an all-new take on the original Airbnb.

The company is also launching over 50 new features and upgrades that address feedback from guests and hosts across the entire Airbnb experience.

Airbnb began as a way to stay in a room in someone else’s home. This original idea of sharing a home offers two unique benefits. First, it’s more affordable for guests. More than 80% of private rooms are under $100/night, with an average rate of $67/night. Second, staying with a host is a great way to meet someone new and experience the city like a local.

Airbnb Rooms, an all-new take on the original Airbnb, has been created in response to feedback from guests who say they want to know more about who they're staying with. Every Airbnb Room features a Host Passport, which helps guests get to know their host before booking their stay.

Bangkok, Thailand. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com. Click to enlarge.
Bangkok, Thailand. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

The company has also created a Rooms category with over 1 million listings, redesigned filters and new privacy features.

“With Airbnb Rooms, we’re getting back to the idea that started it all - back to our founding ethos of sharing,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. “Airbnb Rooms are often more affordable than hotels, and they’re the most authentic way to experience a city. This is the soul of Airbnb.”

- Host Passport: Exclusive to Airbnb Rooms, the Host Passport helps a guest to get to know their host before booking. Simply tap the Host Passport to view a larger photo and details that hosts have shared about themselves, including where they went to school, what they do for work, a fun fact about themselves, and more.

- Airbnb Rooms: A new category featuring a curated set of 1 million private bedrooms. Each listing includes access to shared spaces, such as the kitchen, living room and backyard.

- Redesigned Filters: The “type of place” filter has been redesigned to make it easier to switch between Airbnb Rooms, entire homes and all types of places. The enhanced price filter that updates based on the choice of place makes it easier to see the average price for each type of place.

- New Privacy Features: All Airbnb Rooms will clearly indicate if the bedroom door has a lock. The listing page also shows whether the bathrooms are shared or private, and whether people other than the host will be in the home during your stay.

“Millions of people have given us feedback on how to improve Airbnb. We’ve listened,” said Brian Chesky. “Today, we’re introducing the most extensive set of updates ever. Our design-driven approach means we’re always making Airbnb better, and our over 50 new features and upgrades are just the beginning. We will never stop improving Airbnb.”

A few of the 50+ new features and upgrades include:

- Total Price Display: Guests can view the total price with fees, before taxes, across the entire app including in search results, price filter, maps and listing pages.

- Transparent Check-Out Instructions: Guests can now view check-out instructions on the listing page before booking, and they’ll receive a reminder before they leave the home. During the review process, guests can tell Airbnb about any excessive requests, and listings with repeated low ratings from unreasonable chores will be removed from the platform.

- Improved Maps: Used by more than 80 percent of guests, Airbnb has updated maps with faster performance, persistent pins when zooming and panning, and more results when searching.

- Redesigned Wishlists: Wishlists now include a redesigned interface, one-tap saving, and an improved calendar that shows availability of wish-listed homes. Guests can also add notes to any wish-listed listing - making it easier to remember why they chose it.

- Simpler and More Affordable Monthly Stays: For stays over three months, Airbnb is significantly reducing the guest service fee after the third month. Guests in the US can also save for stays over one month when paying with their linked bank account. And when searching, the new Months tab features an all-new interface that makes it easy to dial in a range from 1-12 months.

- Priority Customer Service: A dedicated 24/7 support team has been established for priority access when on a trip, with a goal of answering 90% of calls in English in two minutes or less.

- Pay Over Time: Through a new partnership with Klarna, guests in the US and Canada can apply to pay for stays in four interest-free installments over six weeks. For bookings over $500, guests can apply to pay monthly (US only). More countries are expected to be added to this service throughout the year.

- Instant Rebooking Credit: If a host cancels within 30 days of arrival, most guests will receive an instant credit that can be used to rebook another stay immediately.

As part of the 50+ new features and upgrades, Airbnb is launching 25 improvements for hosts, including new pricing tools to help hosts set competitive prices, easily add weekly and monthly discounts, and compare their listing to similar ones in their area. The company is also including a yearly view in calendar, the ability to easily enter check-out instructions, read receipts and new quick replies in messaging, and more.

The changes started rolling out this week, and hosts can try the new features by enrolling in Airbnb Early Access.

Latest exclusive video interviews9 HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia; Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video Interview with Amar Lalvani, Executive Chairman; 9 Exclusive Video Interviews from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 8 NTO Press Conferences from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 13 HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England; 5 HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France; 15 HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye; and Electric Airport Taxis at Almaty Airport (ALA) in Kazakhstan - HD Video Interview with CEO.



Headlines: AirAsia Cambodia Prepares for Take Off  Alex Schellenberger Joins Mandarin Oriental as Senior Vice President Brand  Ethiopian Airlines Opens E-Commerce Logistics Facility at Bole Addis Ababa Airport  Routes Americas 2024 Taking Place in Bogota, Colombia  Air Botswana Appoints APG as GSA in 16 Markets  Korean Air to Resume More Flights; Increase Services to Select Destinations  WestJet Appoints APG as Representative in South Korea; Airline to Launch YYC-ICN Flights in May  Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Opens in Fukui, Japan  Rolls-Royce to Expand Engine Build and Services Capacity in UK and Germany  United Airlines to Launch Los Angeles - Shanghai Flights; Increase LAX - HKG Service  Nine Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia  AirAsia X Launches Direct Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty, Kazakhstan  Singapore Airlines Revamps Premium Economy Class with New Menu and Amenity Kit  Amadeus Completes Acquisition of Voxel  Minor to Rebrand NH Museum Quarter Hotel in Amsterdam, Netherlands  U-Tapao Airport (UTP) in Rayong / Pattaya, Thailand - HD Video Interview with Ampika Chadawong  IndiGo to Launch Flights Between Mumbai and Colombo, Sri Lanka  Perth Airport (PER) in Western Australia - HD Video Interview with Stephanie Juszkiewicz  China Airlines to Launch Flights Between Taipei and Seattle, USA  TUMI Launches Capsule Collection in Partnership with NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team  AirAsia Malaysia to Resume Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Pattaya, Thailand  Thai Airways to Launch Flights from Bangkok to Colombo, Kochi and Perth  Munich Airport (MUC) in Bavaria, Germany - HD Video Interview with Michael Haeffner  Japan Tourism, World Expo 2025 and Japan Expo 2025 - HD Video Interview with Akira Watabe of JNTO  BBN Airlines Indonesia Receives Additional AOC from DGCA  Vietnam Airlines to Launch Flights from HAN and SGN to Munich Airport in Bavaria, Germany  Sabre Launches Booking Solution for New and Independent Travel Consultants  AirAsia Malaysia Launches A321neo Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Perth, Australia  Saudi Arabia's Air Connectivity Program - HD Video Interview with Rashed Alshammari, Vice President Commercial  Lui Chong Chee to Succeed Bob Tan as Chairman of the Boards of CapitaLand Ascott Trust  Sabah Tourism Board - HD Video Interview with Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Chief Executive Officer  Berlin Airport (BER) - HD Video Interview with Simon Miller, Senior Manager Market Intelligence  IndiGo to Launch Flights Between Chandigarh and Dharamshala, India  Skyco Partners Airbus; Orders Six H175 Helicopters  Jumeirah Appoints Michael Grieve as Chief Brand Officer  Cam Ranh Airport (CXR) in Nha Trang, Vietnam - HD Video Interview with Le Thi Hong Minh  Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang - HD Video Interview with Hotel GM, Jasmine Keh  Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh Appoints Lenen Mar Porras as ADOSM  United Confirms Flights to Cebu, Philippines as Airline Expands Network  Jumeirah Soft Opens First Hotel in Saudi Arabia  IHG Signs Two Luxury Hotels in KAFD Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Qatar Airways' NDC Content Now Available on Travelport+  Estelle Vassallo Moves to Italy as GM of Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel  Aviation: International RPK Up 20.8% in January 2024  Amora Completes Refurbishment and Rebranding of Hotel in Brisbane, Australia  Scoot Unveils Embraer E190-E2 Routes  IndiGo to Launch Flights from Jagdalpur to Hyderabad and Raipur  Jazeera Airways Appoints Barathan Pasupathi as CEO  Marriott Signs Le Meridien Hotel in Zanzibar  IATA Reports Air Cargo Data for January 2024  BFS Receives GDP Certification for Dedicated Pharma Handling Facility at BKK  Solomon Islands Welcomed 26,036 Visitors in 2023; Positive Outlook for 2024  Vietjet Signs MOU with Airbus for 20 A330-900 Aircraft  Hong Kong Airport Reports January 2024 Passenger and Cargo Numbers  Malaysia Aviation Group Becomes Official Airline Partner of MATTA Fair 2024  AirAsia Malaysia Launches Flights Between Kota Kinabalu and Shanghai, China  Taiwan's Starlux Airlines Orders Five Airbus A350 Freighters and Three A330neos  United Airlines to Resume Flights to Tel Aviv, Israel  Hahnair Appoints Stephen Chung as Regional Vice President Asia Pacific  Korean Air Cargo Expands Partnership with Vienna Airport  IndiGo to Launch Daily Flights Between Bengaluru and Bali, Indonesia  Thai Airways Confirms Boeing 787-9 Order  SkyScape Becomes Eve Air Mobility's First Urban ATM Customer in Japan  Royal Brunei Airlines Orders Four Boeing 787-9 Aircraft  TransNusa Airlines Rebranding as a Premium Service Carrier  Moxy Hotel Opens in Bangkok, Thailand  Peninsula Bangkok Appoints Masahisa Oba as Managing Director  Silk Avia Takes Delivery of First New ATR 72-600 Turboprop Aircraft in Central Asia  Korean Air to Enhance Retailing Strategy with Accelya's FLX Platform  Rohit Pandey Returns to Minor as GM of the Anantara Jaipur Hotel  Marriott Soft Opens First Moxy Hotel in Malaysia  AirAsia X to Launch Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty, Kazakhstan on 14 March  Malaysia Airlines Opens Ticketing Outlet at Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya  Marriott Expands Apartments with Properties Signed in Italy, USA and Saudi Arabia  Stockholders of Hawaiian Holdings Vote to Adopt Merger Agreement with Alaska Airlines  Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2024 Opens Online Registration for Buyers and Sellers  Lore Group's Five Design-Led Hotels Join Global Hotel Alliance  Hilton Partners Small Luxury Hotels of the World  British Airways Using E-Logs Platform to Predict and Enhance Aircraft Maintenance Issues  Surf Air Mobility Secures Early Delivery Positions for 90 Electra eSTOL Aircraft  Nine Exclusive Video Interviews with VIPs at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos  Thai Airways to Unveil Details of Boeing Aircraft Order at Singapore Air Show 2024  Hong Kong Reports Provisional Visitor Arrival Numbers for January 2024  Accor Hotels in New Zealand to Become Gold Standard Sustainable Tourism Businesses  American Express Opens World's Largest Centurion Lounge at ATL Airport in USA  Minor Hotels Reports Record Full Year Figures  Korean Air's Acquisition of Asiana Gets Conditional Clearance from European Commission  CapitaLand Establishes CLARA Fund II; Acquires Two lyf-Branded Properties as Seed Assets  ATR Receives B-Score from CDP Climate Change  Dassault to Showcase Falcon 6X and Falcon 2000LXS at the Singapore Air Show 2024  IHG's Expanding Hotel Portfolio in Vientiane - Interview with Murali Viswanathan, CGM  Settha Palace Hotel in Vientiane, Laos - Interview with Hala Krimi, General Manager  Vietjet Launches Flights Between Saigon and Chengdu, China  Inthira Vang Vieng Hotel in Laos - Interview with Charles-David Hay, General Manager  IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City Appoints Pranav Vohra as Cluster Commercial Director  S Vang Vieng Boutique Hotel in Laos - Interview with Sengnikone Bouphaphanh  Full Moon Island Resort in Kaoh Sdach, Cambodia - Interview with Indra Khanitha Lay Prohas  Jetstar Launches Flights from Brisbane to Osaka and Seoul  IHG to Expand Six Senses Brand to Kyoto, Japan  DiscoverLaos - HD Video Interview with Southisack Sayasavanh, Tours Director  Cosi Vientiane Nam Phu Hotel - Interview with Pasin Nopsuwan, General Manager  Hyatt Expands JdV Brand of Hotels to Goa, India  Thailand to See Increase in Chinese New Year Tourism Spend  Lao Airlines - Exclusive Video Interview with Chanthanon Khampheng at ATF 2024  Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort in Laos - Interview with Michelle Wang, Travel Director  Marriott Hotel Opens on Gurney Drive in Penang, Malaysia  Emirates to Increase Capacity on Flights to Osaka, Japan  Michelle Lee Joins Pullman Bangkok Hotel G as General Manager  Rosewood Makes Changes to Senior Management Team  Smiths Detection to Upgrade Security at Fukuoka Airport in Japan  Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video Interview with Amar Lalvani  AirAsia Indonesia Launches Flights Between Jakarta and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia  Philippine Airlines to Deploy Amadeus Traveler DNA  Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach Completes A$8 Million Refurbishment of All 160 Guestrooms  Vietjet Wet Leases Two Aircraft to Meet Surge in Lunar New Year Travel Demand  Singapore Cruise Centre to Upgrade Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal  IHG Signs New-Build 150-Key Holiday Inn Hotel in Guwahati, India  Thai AirAsia Launches Flights from Bangkok (DMK) to Shanghai and Kaohsiung  TFE Signs New-Build Apartment Hotel in Brisbane, Australia  Ritz-Carlton Hotel Opens in Las Colinas Area of Dallas, USA  8 NTO Press Conferences from the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos  13 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England  5 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France  15 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye  Electric Airport Taxis at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan - Video Interview with Co-Founder  Pictures from Miss International Queen 2023 Transgender Beauty Pageant in Pattaya, Thailand  Exclusive Video Interviews with 17 Miss International Queen 2023 Contestants  Living With One Eye - Six Years On by Steven Howard  HD Videos and Interviews  Podcasts from HD Video Interviews  RSS Feed - Travel Industry News  Ticker - Travel Industry News  Travel Industry News Archives  Travel Trade Shows  High-Res Picture Galleries  Travel News Asia - Latest Travel Industry News 

Subscribe to our Travel Industry News RSS Feed Travel Industry News RSS Feed from TravelNewsAsia.com. To do that in Outlook, right-click the RSS Feeds folder, select Add a New RSS Feed, enter the URL of our RSS Feed which is: https://www.travelnewsasia.com/travelnews.xml and click Add. The feed can also be used to add the headlines to your website or channel via a customisable applet. Have questions? Please read our Travel News FAQ. Thank you.

     
Advertising
Advertising
Copyright © 1997-2024 TravelNewsAsia.com