Airbnb Now Offers Bookings for Massages, Chefs, Fitness

This 12 months, AAA is predicting a brand new Memorial Day weekend journey file with an estimated 45.1 million folks venturing no less than 50 miles from their properties from Thursday, Might 22, to Monday, Might 26. That is a rise of 1.4 million vacationers in comparison with final 12 months. (The earlier file was set in 2005 with 44 million folks, the corporate notes.)

If that provides you pause to hit the highway, Airbnb desires to make issues simpler by being your personal private concierge when touring (or deciding to hang around at residence).

Associated: ‘I Can’t Get Everyone to Move Here’: Why Airbnb’s CEO Is Sticking With a Once-a-Month Hybrid Schedule

On Tuesday, the corporate announced a redesigned app with a spate of recent options, together with one known as “Companies.”

“Inns do have one factor that we do not have, and people are companies,” CEO and Cofounder Brian Chesky, 43, mentioned on the launch occasion in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Now, Airbnb customers in 260 cities can ebook issues like meals (in-home and ready-to-eat meals from skilled cooks or full-service catering); pictures classes; massages and spa remedies (Swedish, deep tissue, reflexology, facials, microdermabrasion, physique scrubs); private coaching (yoga, energy coaching, HIIT); and sweetness companies (hair, make-up, nails).

Chesky told the New York Times the corporate was all the time “destined to do extra” than simply be an app to ebook or supply a spot to remain.

^Airbnb

Airbnb says that every one service professionals are “vetted for high quality,” have an “common of 10 years of expertise, accomplished Airbnb’s identification verification course of, and are required to submit related licenses and certifications.”

It is not Joe-from-down-the-block who’s coming to prepare dinner your meal (no disrespect to Joe). Airbnb is touting its connections and providing “cooks from Michelin-starred eating places, award-winning photographers, and elite trainers.”

Associated: People Are Making Tons of Money With Airbnb and They Don’t Even Own Property. Here’s How.

However though which will sound costly, the corporate says there are companies in any respect value factors, with many beneath $50.

“Airbnb is presently used as a noun and a verb, and it means a spot to remain,” Chesky instructed the New York Instances. “The query we then requested was what in case you might Airbnb greater than an Airbnb and basically monetize the largest asset in your life, which might be not your private home however your time, ardour, and ability set.”