When you book your next Airbnb, you’ll have to decide whether you’d like it with or without a private chef, personal trainer, or fridge full of snacks.
Driving the news: As part of Airbnb’s growing suite of non-rental services, it’s launching a pilot program with Instacart that gives guests in some markets the option to have the fridge of their rental property stocked with whatever they want before they arrive.
Why it matters: Airbnb wants to become an everything app for travellers, not just the place they go to rent a villa on their Eurotrip. In Canada, you can now book gallery visits, menu tastings, and guided tours on Airbnb for an average of $92.
- A big focus is on premium experiences like personal chefs, fitness training, and on-demand professional photography. You can even have a professional come to your place to do your makeup before a night out.
- As growth in its core rental business slows and its share price slides (down 7.5% so far this year), the company is searching for new ways to get more revenue out of its sizable user base.
Big picture: Experiences are where the money is, especially with young travellers. A McKinsey survey found that Gen Zers are prioritizing experiences over every other expense on vacations, while the CEO of Tripadvisor said the company's record revenue last year was driven by growth in experiences.—LA