Airbnb Makes It Simpler to Rent Your Home While Traveling

Airbnb aims to draw in more hosts with a variety of new features, simplifying the setup and listing process—allowing travelers to recoup some travel costs while they're away.

During a press event in New York on Wednesday, the company unveiled enhanced insurance coverage and protections for homeowners, addressing several issues that hosts face which they believe can be resolved with these new features.

The first feature, Airbnb Setup, pairs new hosts with a local Superhost who offers complimentary guidance for any inquiries or concerns—acting as a mentor. They can even engage in a live video chat while creating their listing, providing tips on photo selection (for example, deciding between professional photography or DIY), property descriptions, and managing an availability calendar. Superhosts also assist with the first reservation, offering advice on guest preparations and personal touches, such as leaving a handwritten note. Superhosts, experienced hosts vetted by Airbnb, can only join the Airbnb Setup program by invitation and receive training and compensation from Airbnb for their time.

“With Airbnb Setup, every new host can receive personalized, one-on-one assistance from a Superhost, from their initial questions to their first booking,” stated Airbnb CEO and cofounder Brian Chesky during the feature launch.

The second new enhancement is an expansion of AirCover for hosts. In addition to increasing damage protection from $1 million to $3 million and covering valuables, the company is also focused on verifying the identities of all users.

“From the start, we understood that trusting someone to enter your home requires knowing who they are,” Chesky explains. “We’re beginning today by verifying guests in 35 countries, which encompasses 90 percent of our bookings.” The company aims to verify the remaining users—using a method that compares a profile to an official government-issued ID—by next spring worldwide.

Airbnb is also implementing new screening technology to prevent reservations from users likely to host parties in their rentals. The company identifies potential risks by looking for patterns like last-minute bookings in areas where the user already resides and guests under 25 years old. New hosts can additionally request that their first reservation comes from an “experienced guest,” someone recognized by the platform as having completed at least three stays with positive reviews.

These features are designed to alleviate concerns for new hosts and encourage more individuals to list their homes for rent.

A frequent traveler and freelance creative, Bridget Shirvell has been listing her Mystic, Connecticut home for four years. She shares that the income enables her to embark on extended trips.

“Hosting allows me to explore more,” Shirvell explains. “I utilize the earnings from hosting to fund my travels throughout the year. While I would still travel without renting my home, I wouldn't be able to enjoy such lengthy getaways.”

Shirvell allocates between 5 and 20 percent of her annual Airbnb earnings for a month-long summer vacation, a week each in autumn and winter, plus various weekend getaways. She values the calendar feature and messaging tool for easy communication with guests. Beyond the financial benefits, she says, “I love sharing my home and the local area with visitors. I want them to feel like they’re entering a good friend’s space. I cherish the connections I've made with guests over the years, as hosting enhances the warmth of my home.”

For those in less-traveled locations who may be concerned about attracting guests, Airbnb shared with Dinogo that since 2020, bookings in rural and less touristy areas have risen. “This trend has remained strong,” Airbnb noted.

To showcase the benefits of hosting, Chesky revealed on Wednesday that he has listed a room in his own San Francisco apartment (he later shared on Instagram that the room was fully booked and he plans to add more availability in 2023). Chesky, who co-founded the company during the 2008 recession by inflating a few air mattresses in his apartment to host three guests, believes that in light of inflation and a weakening economy, more people could benefit from the extra income generated by renting out a room or their entire home on Airbnb. However, they need to feel more at ease with becoming hosts.

“It’s fascinating that we launched in 2008, amidst the Great Recession, when people were seeking ways to earn extra income,” Chesky notes. “This situation is quite reminiscent. So, what if we could simplify the process of becoming a host and provide you with greater peace of mind? That’s our goal.”

As a dog owner, we inquired about how hosting works for those with pets. A company spokesperson replied, “Guests love animals! However, it’s best for hosts to indicate that there are pets in the home within their listing description, so potential guests are informed before booking, especially if they have allergies or similar concerns.”

Alongside new amenities for hosts, Airbnb has introduced six new categories on its platform:

• Adapted: homes designed for wheelchair access, featuring verified step-free paths to the entrance, bedroom, and bathroom.
• Hanoks: traditional Korean homes made from natural materials.
• New: properties added in the last 10 weeks.
• Play: a category highlighting homes equipped with game rooms, water slides, basketball courts, and other fun features.
• Top of the World: showcases homes located at least 10,000 feet above sea level.
• Trending: popular homes that receive a high volume of views.