preview – More flexibility, security and unusual accommodation … The platform, the site as an application, will change this Thursday. As a result, new booking options, according to her, are likely to “reinvent” our way of traveling. really ? We tested.
“change contract“,”Reinventing Travel“,” ‘comprehensive overhaul’… for the past two weeks, Airbnb has been competing in superlatives to describe its new interface. It was officially introduced this Wednesday by the platform’s co-founder, Brian Chesky, speaking live on the site, and will be rolled out online, in France, starting Thursday, May 12. Airbnb explains that it has revised its version to better reflect our new travel habits, born during the pandemic.
Nathan Plicharczyk, the second founder of the American platform, explained the matter to figaro On the eve of this launch with great fanfare: “Travelers are now more flexible, both in their date and destination. They tend to stay longer on the site, mixing vacation and work, in favor of domestic tourism and unusual accommodation. According to him, Covid also caused the decentralization of tourism and a new interest in rural areas. The site’s top ten destinations now account for just 8% of bookings, compared to 12% before the pandemic. Based on this observation, the platform creates new search categories and new guarantees for the traveler. So, is the revolution really here?
Read alsoIt is possible to spend the night in a luxury hotel without breaking the bank! The proof is three
More search categories
the new
Domes, bungalows, troglodyte houses … In the past year, Airbnb has opened several search categories, allowing the user to find what they are looking for by choosing the type of accommodation instead of searching the traditional way by date. or by location. The platform continues this momentum by launching new categories corresponding to both accommodation types and locations: countryside, design, camping, heritage (in France only) and ‘OMG’. “Unlike the luxury class, OMG (Oh My God acronym, editor’s note) Combines homes that are not necessarily expensive but unique, from those that will amaze youSays Nathan Plicharczyk.
What do we think?
Filters, more filters, filters always! The site now offers 56 different search categories. By wanting to split a lot, wouldn’t Airbnb risk losing a user? This update allows at least class renderingcountryside» which was hitherto missing (while ‘seashore’ or ‘mountain’ did exist). On the contrary, there are always some very useful filters that are absent from subscribers: a house with a garden, for example, or a personal reception. Surely it could have been more useful than the Cycladic House!
Function “two-step stay”
the new
For stays of a week or more, Airbnb will systematically offer travelers the option of staying at two consecutive venues, with similar services, at the same destination.
What do we think?
This option will give travelers who are out for a long time more options, as there are few homes available for several weeks in a row, especially in high season. Nathan Blecharczyk estimates that travelers will, on average, have 40% more options on the same date. It’s hard to complain about, but can we talk about a revolution?
passenger air cover
the new
Already available to accommodation providers, the AirCover Guarantee is now offered to all travelers upon booking. Emphasizes:
- Propose similar alternative accommodation if the host cancels within 30 days of the stay,
- Ensuring accuracy of listing and guarantee on arrival, both available for 72 hours (compared to 24 hours previously),
- 24 hour support
What do we think?
These developments of course ensure greater security for the tenant in an ever-changing international context. But Airbnb in doing so aligns with what is already offered by the majority of tour operators, who have revised their sales policies for two years.
Finally
In fact, the Contract Update essentially continues the progress that began in November 2021, when the site was last developed. Airbnb has chosen to target more customers who work remotely, so they can afford to leave for extended periods of time — one night booked in five is for stays of more than a week, according to the platform. Do you risk isolating yourself from others? The future will tell…
see also Airbnb: Ian Brusatte suggests creating a quota for each region of Paris
.