Airbnb announced this Wednesday a series of two changes to your platform including more than 50 new features and improvements, including a new take on the idea behind the booking platform: stay in a room without strangers.
One of the notable improvements, “Airbnb Rooms” aims to make it easier for travelers to stay in rooms without strangers as a more “affordable” way to travel.
“In the current economic environment, people want to travel affordably. After years of isolation during the pandemic, they are looking for ways to connect with people and have authentic experiences,” the company stated in the press release. “Now is the perfect time to stay in a room in someone else’s house.”
People using “Airbnb Rooms” will have access to the “Host Passport”. which includes details that the hosts have shared about themselves, such as their educational and work backgrounds.
Airbnb was founded in 2007 by 3 men – CEO Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk – who came up with the idea of renting air mattresses in their apartments as a cheap alternative to traditional hotels.
“We go back to the idea that started it all,” says Chesky. “Airbnb rooms are often more affordable than hotels, and are the most authentic way to experience a city. This is the soul of Airbnb.”
According to the announcement, the top 5 “trending” Airbnb destinations where the number of people staying in private rooms is increasing are Seoul (Korea), Melbourne (Australia), Warsaw (Poland), Sydney (Australia) and Florence (Italy).
Among other changes, Airbnb has included 7 for improve guest experience such as better, faster cards and a redesign of the guest list. Lists will now be available clearer and more transparent payment instructions something that customers have already complained about.
The company has also partnered with Klarna’s service, which allows guests from the US and Canada to split the rental price into 4 interest-free installments over 6 weeks.
According to the announcement, the operation of long-term stays (more than a month) has also been modified, including the adjustment of the rates charged to guests for stays of more than 3 months.
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Airbnb adds that it already has reservations in more than 72,000 cities around the world for the summer.
The new improvements can be used immediately, according to the company.
