Airbnb adds new features and reveals trending summer destinations

Posted by Tsoku Maela on 18 November 2022

In May 2022, Airbnb Categories were introduced so that millions of people could discover homes they never knew existed. In November 2022 the company introduced Airbnb Setup to make it easy for millions of people to Airbnb their homes.

Airbnb adds new features and reveals trending summer destinations

Airbnb is also providing even more AirCover for Hosts and adding six new Categories:

  • Introducing Airbnb Setup – The all-new, super easy way to Airbnb your home, with free one-to-one guidance from a Superhost.
  • Even more AirCover for Hosts – Now featuring even more top-to-bottom protection, with guest identity verification, reservation screening, and damage protection, including coverage for cars, boats, art, and valuables.
  • New Airbnb Categories – They’ve added six new categories of homes, as well as improved the way Airbnb Categories are displayed.

‘Airbnb was born during a recession. Joe and I couldn’t afford to pay our rent, so we inflated three air mattresses and created an AirBed & Breakfast. Soon, people all around the world joined us,’ said Brian Chesky, CEO, and Co-Founder of Airbnb. ‘Today, just like during the Great Recession [in 2008], people are especially interested in earning extra income through hosting. That’s why we’re introducing an easy way for millions of people to Airbnb their homes.’

Airbnb Setup

Over the past year, more than 30 million people have visited Airbnb to learn about hosting. On 16 November the company introduced Airbnb Setup, and this is what it includes:

  • One-to-one guidance from a Superhost – When you begin Airbnb Setup, they will match you with a Superhost for free one-to-one guidance from your first question through your first guest. You can chat with your Superhost over audio, video, or messaging. They have launched with 1,500 Superhosts in over 80 countries who are dedicated to helping new Hosts get started. 
  • An experienced guest for your first booking – For your first booking, you can choose to welcome an experienced guest who has at least three stays and a good track record on Airbnb.
  • Specialised support from Airbnb – As a new Host, you get one-tap access to a specially-trained team of Community Support agents. They can help with everything from account issues to getting paid and are available via phone, messaging, or email in over 42 languages.

New Airbnb Categories

Another new feature that was introduced was additional Airbnb Categories, including:

  • New – Homes added to Airbnb within the past 10 weeks.
  • Top of the world – Homes around 10,000 feet above sea level, often with stunning views.
  • Trending – Highly-rated homes that received more listing views compared to the previous week.
  • Adapted – Homes adapted for wheelchair access, with verified step-free paths into the home, bedroom, and bathroom.
  • Play – Homes with basketball courts, game rooms, miniature golf, water slides, and more.
  • Hanoks – Traditional Korean homes constructed of natural materials.
Airbnb adds new features and reveals trending summer destinations

More AirCover for Hosts

And lastly, upgrades were also made to AirCover for Hosts:

  • Guest identity verification – Airbnb is expanding identity verification to all booking guests travelling to the top 35 countries and regions on Airbnb—representing 90% of all reservations. They will also expand guest identity verification worldwide in Spring 2023.
  • Reservation screening technology –  Proprietary reservation screening technology will be launched in the US and Canada, which will help reduce the chance of disruptive parties. 
  • Damage protection – They are tripling damage protection from R17 million to R52 million – covering both your home and its contents. 
  • Auto & boat protection – Damage protection for cars, boats, and other watercraft that you park or store at your property. 
  • Art & valuables protection – A wider range of fine art, jewellery, and collectables will now be repaired or replaced at the appraised value.
  • Easier to file a claim – You can now file a claim for damage protection in a few simple steps and easily track its progress from submission through payout.

The morning ferry to Inhaca (Mozambique) makes for spectacular scenery. Picture: David Henning

Airbnb CEO also revealed some of the top summer destinations for South Africans.

Istanbul is topping the list of trending destinations, with South African tourists exploring Turkey and other European gems for the first Christmas since coronavirus restrictions were fully lifted. Snowy cities, filled with holiday joy and markets, like Prague, Amsterdam, and Vienna are trending among travellers this holiday season.

Radiant Mozambique boasts a coastline of white, sandy beaches for travellers searching for a getaway a little closer to home. In contrast, colder cities like Edinburgh, Paris, and London are also attracting the interest of South African travellers.

The top booked categories by South African guests give an insight into the types of trips that are in demand this summer season, with Beach, Amazing pools, Iconic city, Beachfront, and Surfing all proving very popular.

The top trending international destinations by South African travellers this summer:

  • Istanbul, Turkey
  • Edinburg, United Kingdom
  • Maputo, Mozambique
  • London, United Kingdom
  • Prague, Czech Republic
  • Lisbon Portugal
  • Paris, France
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Vienna, Austria

The typical host in South Africa earned more than R254 002 last year, and over R12 900 on average during this past winter, while total host earnings globally increased by 30% in Q3 compared to the same time last year.

Illustration images: Airbnb

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