Airbnb is launching a new feature allowing property-rich but time-poor people to make the leap into renting their home out to others. The accommodation platform has initiated a co-host network, aimed at those who want to make money from their real estate but lack the time to manage a rental property, to find hosts who will take care of the process for them.
Co-hosts with exceptional track record
The so-called “co-hosts” are experienced Airbnbers, with an “exceptional track record” of welcoming guests via the accommodation website, a press release says. With average ratings of 4.86 and made up of 73% “Superhosts” and 84% “Guest Favorites” , more than 10,000 co-hosts are available across 10 countries. They can be found via the Airbnb app, which will turn up results based on location, experience and type of home, showing you your potential business partners’ profiles and reviews.
But what will the co-hosts actually do? Providing a wide range of services, from setting up a listing and finding the right price point to maximise revenue, to ensuring photography shows the property off, as well as calendar management, guest support and cleaning and maintenance, the co-hosts can take care of almost everything a property owner needs to earn money from their asset. They set their own fees, taking a share of the rental price.
“With the Co-Host Network, we’re taking the work out of hosting,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. “Starting today, you provide the home, and we’ll provide an exceptional co-host.”
We’ve made 460 upgrades in the past 3 years. Today we’re launching 75 more 🔈 pic.twitter.com/2khNdZNmqE
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) October 16, 2024
The beginning of a more personalized Airbnb
Essentially, the service is a business-to-business introduction. “One of the requests that we had from hosts is that they would really love to be able to find professional, high-quality co-hosts with a great track record in their area whom they can trust. And they can really be completely hands-off,” Judson Coplan, VP of Product Marketing at Airbnb, told TechCrunch.
In addition to the new co-host service, Airbnb has made over 50 upgrades to its user journey. These include a new welcome tour to introduce the app, suggested destinations based on browsing and booking histories, recommended filters, a new check-out process and a plethora of new worldwide payment options.
The changes come as Airbnb is overhauling its offer to tap into increasing trends for more personalised experiences. “For decades, travel apps have been one-size-fits-all. We’re changing that today,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO, adding, “With dozens of new features, this is the beginning of a more personalized Airbnb.”
