Airbnb Added New Features That Include Flexible Booking

Published on November 14, 2021
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Airbnb has introduced several new features that include new styles of accommodations, provisions for a seamless work from home experience, and flexible booking options.

You Can Stay At Unique Accommodations

You Can Stay At Unique Accommodations

The company also introduced new search categories that include off the grid, luxe homes, ski-in/ski-out homes, and offbeat homes that include sleeping in a giant Idaho potato or a spaceship.

These unique experience are perfect for an exciting getaway, especially for long weekends like Thanksgiving weekend. Airbnb told Travel + Leisure that the company has seen more than 40% more nights booked in the U.S. in 2021 than Thanksgiving weekend 2019.

The company has also announced that it will be expanding its flexible search option, which it first rolled out in May 2021. This will allow people to look for a home for up to 12 months in advance instead of 6 months in advance.

Catherine Powell, the global head of hosting at Airbnb, shared: “If you are flexible about where and when you travel… you can be inspired by the home as opposed to the location. We’ve continued to be creative in the categories we’ve introduced.”

The Company Is Upgrading Its WFH Amenities

The Company Is Upgrading Its WFH Amenities

This flexibility translates to longer holiday stays, which is a trend that has been ongoing for months. The company is also seeing a 19% increase in nights booked for long-terms stays for December, and a 68% increase in the U.S. as compared to the same time period in 2019.

This is why Airbnb has chosen to upgrade its work from home offerings, including a verified WiFi feature. That feature will test the host’s internet speed, which will be automatically posted on the site.

Powell said: “The Wi-Fi filter has been used 288 million times this year alone, the third most popular filter after pets and pools.”

The long-term stay is popular with working people, but also with travelers ages between 60 and 90 as well.

Powell shared that the company is “constantly, relentlessly innovating and ensuring we produce the right tools and the right services to meet these changing needs of both our hosts and our guests.”

You Can Now Book Your Stay 12 Months In Advance

You Can Now Book Your Stay 12 Months In Advance

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