If you’re familiar with Airbnb, you’re probably aware of its potential for scoring good deals when you plan your travel. We’ve often turned to it for budget-friendly accommodation options, and unlike traditional hotels, staying at an Airbnb offers a unique experience and poses plenty to enjoy.
Besides the popular lodging service, Airbnb also offers “Airbnb Experiences”, a feature we were introduced to by a friend and have been enthralled with since. There’s a slight distinction between Airbnb’s standard service and Airbnb Experiences, so let’s clear the air.
Airbnb has been serving globetrotters for a significant period and enjoys widespread recognition. The platform allows for economical trips by offering various accommodation types to choose from. Hosts can list different living spaces, such as:
– A single room or an entire floor of their house
– A cottage adjacent to their main house
– A vacation home (though this is technically illegal for short-term rentals in most states and counties and can lead to listing removal from their platform)
These accommodations often come equipped with multiple amenities, such as linen, toiletries, home appliances, and sometimes even breakfast, making the trip more comfortable and endeavoring to reduce extra luggage.
On the other hand, Airbnb Experiences is a slightly distinct service that focuses on providing experiences instead of lodging. The kind of experiences offered can vastly differ based on the area you’re in or traveling to. The service is yet to reach some smaller regions but is thriving in most large cities. Here are a few types of experiences you can encounter:
– Photo tours
– Cooking Classes
– Vineyard or Brewery tours
– Art classes
– Walking or Adventure tours
The catch with Airbnb Experiences is that you need to verify your expertise in the field of the experience you want to host. Your credentials can be a relevant degree, professional certificate, or relevant work experience.
This platform adds a fascinating twist to traditional Airbnb, capturing the attention of people driven by unique experiences. However, these services can also serve as a means of additional income if you’re entrepreneurial and have free time at hand.
As a blended family, we considered Airbnb as a potential source of income when our children are away. Unfortunately, it didn’t prove rewarding as we didn’t have a separate guest space and offering breakfast to every guest didn’t bring enough returns.
Similarly, for Airbnb Experiences, we gave hosting culinary and cocktail pairing classes a shot, with my spouse being a Chef and my experience in the bakery business. Despite our enthusiasm, the overhead expenses and Airbnb’s 20% commission made it less productive than anticipated.
Nevertheless, depending on your circumstances and market conditions, Airbnb and Airbnb services can serve as efficient side businesses.
In conclusion, we find Airbnb to be a valuable platform for both travel accommodation and exciting experiences. Whether you’re planning to earn some extra income or looking for a unique travel experience, Airbnb might have something in store for you.
I consider that to be a definite win-win! How about you? Have you ever been a guest or a host on any Airbnb platform? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
