Unlock the Secrets to Successful Tour Operator Listing on Airbnb Experiences
Are you a tour operator looking for new ways to?reach customers?and increase your business? If so, Airbnb Experiences may be what you’re looking for.
Airbnb Experiences offers an easy-to-use platform for tour operators to list their services and connect with travelers from all over the world.
But before taking the plunge into joining this growing market, tour operators must understand what they are getting into and what is expected of them.
In this blog post, we will discuss what Airbnb Experiences is. We will also discuss how it works, and what terms and conditions tour operators should consider before listing their tours on the platform.
By understanding these basics of Airbnb Experiences, tour operators can make an informed decision on whether or not this?OTA fits their business.
What is Airbnb Experiences?
Airbnb Experiences is an online marketplace for tours - or?experiences?as Airbnb calls them. It was created by Airbnb for tour operators to connect with local and foreign travelers.
With it, tour companies can create unique Airbnb online experiences and in-person experiences and connect travelers with local hosts around the world.
Tours may range from a virtual escape room or a cooking class on local cuisine and a food tour with a local chef. Anyone can host an experience in their own whole new way.
Read more:?How to Start a Food Tour Business
It began with
Airbnb?started as a home-rental platform in 2008. Since 2019, the platform has sold over $38 billion in home rentals and accommodations in over 200 countries.
Recently, it expanded to activities and?experiences?in 2016- allowing travelers to get a truly unique local experience when they visit a new city.
The Airbnb Experience Culture: The Antidote to Mass Tourism
The Airbnb platform promotes tours that make travelers "live like a local" and "belong anywhere".
The platform is unlike any other OTA. It calls itself an "antidote to mass tourism". Airbnb Experiences focuses on providing experiences that are more exclusive, intimate, and immersive.
Why tour operators should be interested in Airbnb Experiences
Tour operators looking for new ways to reach customers and increase their business should consider joining Airbnb Experiences.
Here are several reasons why.
#1 It is growing:
With currently over 40,000 experiences listed, Airbnb Experiences is still small compared to other leading OTA players.
Yet, its largest public offering last 2020 promises to be bigger in the coming years!
Airbnb Experiences is already one of the most popular travel experiences platforms. So tour operators are sure to find a very large audience for their services!
With Airbnb's increasing popularity and market share, your tour business will enjoy the potential for even more growth in its customer base.
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#2 Wide customer base:
Since its launch in 2019, the platform has served more than 800 million guests worldwide.
In the same report, it says it has over 150 million users around the globe.
As a side note, these reports have not been updated since 2019. So we can expect these numbers to be bigger since then.
A?2019 Airbnb report?states that?"6 guests check into an Airbnb listing every single second"
Although the majority of their bookings are for home rentals and accommodations, the Experiences sector is growing too! Not to mention that there is not a single particular market for it. May it be experiencing a new culture and meeting new people- Airbnb has it all.This provides tour operators with a wide range of potential customers that they may not have been able to reach otherwise.
#3 Strong brand presence:
Airbnb is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Its logo and name evoke a feeling of trust, safety, and adventure for travelers looking for unique experiences.
According to?Arival's guide to Airbnb Experiences?in 2021, 90% of the site's traffic is not sourced from search engines or advertising.
This means?9 out of 10 Airbnb visitors access?the service directly - through the app or the website itself.
By joining Airbnb Experiences, tour operators can leverage this strong brand presence to give potential customers confidence that their tour will be memorable, safe, and unforgettable.
What tour operators should know before joining Airbnb Experiences?
Before joining Airbnb Experiences, tour operators should be aware of what the platform offers and what its terms are.
Like most OTAs, Airbnb Experiences has its own set of standards, commission fees, and policies.
Here's what you should know.
Airbnb Quality Standards
Unlike any typical tour, Airbnb offers an alternative to mainstream travel. Instead, it focuses on hospitality and connections, expertise, and authenticity.
Rather than simply offering tours, Airbnb Experiences aims to provide travelers with access to a truly immersive travel experience. This allows them to gain insider access to a particular expertise or a sense of local life.
Unique. Authentic. Local.
These are the kind of vibes Airbnb is looking for in a tour. If this sounds like your tour, then it is a sign that you should start considering Airbnb Experiences.
You can check out?Airbnb Experiences' standards and requirements?for their Experience Hosts here.
"Three Pillars of a Quality Experience"
#1 Connection
Airbnb focuses on connecting with locals (or hospitality).
To build a meaningful connection between the host and the traveler, the host must create a sense of belonging. This is done through hospitality and intimate experiences.
By making the traveler feel like a part of a community, and by introducing them to local culture, cuisine, and people, the host can create an authentic and meaningful Airbnb experience for the traveler. This will create a lasting connection between the host and the traveler.