If your goal is to earn extra cash while doing what you love – being an Airbnb Experience Host might just be the best option for you. Airbnb leveled up its offering to help ordinary people from around the world make an income by providing unique activities hosted by local, creative experts. No housing required!
What is an Airbnb Experience?
The Airbnb Experiences go beyond the standard tours, with the aim being to immerse guests into the host’s world through activities that may last for a few hours or even a few days.
As more people have been venturing towards Airbnb Experiences during their holidays – a new window of opportunity has opened for more people to earn an income by cultivating exceptional events by hosting experiences, even if they are not offering accommodation.
Bear in mind that the platform doesn’t only serve a single objective. Some travelers use Airbnb Experiences to meet new people, while others are in search of cultural experiences. Whichever the case may be, Airbnb Experiences level up the Airbnb offering and often leads to glowing reviews, more bookings, and an additional income.
Read more about Airbnb Experiences here
How do Airbnb Experiences work?
If you have a creative flair, hobby, or trade – use it as your advantage and sign up to become an Airbnb Experience Host.
This may be the perfect way to showcase your talents while playing a role in creating a memorable holiday that may keep your guests’ tongues wagging for years to come.
Airbnb Experiences can go beyond the usual tours that can be booked through an agency. As an Airbnb Experience Host, you can think out of the box to find innovative ways of keeping your guests entertained.
Creating the best Airbnb Experience
Where do hosts start when trying to come up with an activity for an Airbnb Experience? The steps listed below will help you to come up with new ideas of creative ways to earn money while Airbnb Experience hosting.
Compare Existing Airbnb Experiences
Researching what other Airbnb Experience hosts are doing can help kickstart your ideas or improve on someone else’s concept. The idea is to search for something that you ideally have experience in doing. Then brainstorm for ways you can make these experiences even better.
Also, be sure to research Airbnb Experiences in other locations. There may be some great offerings that are successful in other parts of the country. If it’s a big hit, you can bring that to your home town.
Think like a Tourist
Find out what is unique about your town and why you should showcase it. If you were a tourist, what would you want to know? Where would you want to visit? What would you like to see during your holiday?
So often people dismiss the “touristy” activities around their town. These “touristy” locations and events may be seen as money traps or as nothing special. Well to a traveler, it just may be something special! There is a reason activities, foods, and places are considered “touristy” and it is often because they are fun! Be sure to have an open mind and consider ideas that all types of people enjoy to expand your possibilities of ways you may earn income as an Airbnb Experience Host.
List of Popular Airbnb Experience Examples
- Workshops – teaching anything and everything under the sun!
- Art – viewing, creating, and discussing
- Nature – walks, picnics, discussions
- Sport – individual, team, or watching
- Concerts – local music gatherings can be great hits!
- History – what makes your area so unique
- Cooking classes – individual and group
- Nightlife – simply attending or including dance instruction beforehand
- Health and Wellness – endless topics to explore
- Social Impact – earn income while making a positive difference
Top 5 reasons to become an Airbnb Experience Host
The Income
Keep in mind that Airbnb Experience Hosting is a great way of earning an income should tourists be attracted to your offering. You are receive payment after every Experience. You conduct the experience and upon its completion, Airbnb will issue a check for your efforts.
Built in Marketing
Most tourists visiting your town will be able to find you because the Airbnb app will list your service as something to do in the area. Because of the popularity of Airbnb, most tourists use the app as a safe and trustworthy way to find recommendations.
Work on your Own Terms
Flexibility is essential and being able to navigate around your lifestyle is always a bonus. By being an Airbnb Experience host, you empower yourself to work on your own terms and earn money during convenient times for you.
Meet New People
Airbnb Experience hosts have friends from around the world, and as much as they pay to learn from you, the interaction between people from different cultures or states is always a learning experience for both parties. The human side of Airbnb Experiences is a huge plus. For more insight, click here to see how people are truly the best part of Airbnb Experience hosting!
Do what you Love
Imagine getting paid for your hobby. This is precisely the aim of Airbnb Experiences. Do you enjoy surfing? Or what about cooking? Turn your passion into profit by gliding through the waves with your guests or tantalize taste buds by showcasing your cooking skills during a workshop.
Here you have the option to get paid for something that you would usually do free of charge.
Find more perks of being an Airbnb Experience Host
Airbnb Online Experience Hosting
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way people around the world interact. It has forced both young and old to adapt to a ‘new normal.’ Because of this, Airbnb launched an online Airbnb Experience hosting option in April last year that re-evaluates the way people engage with one another while still promoting human connectivity.
People can enjoy the benefits of an online Airbnb experience from the comfort of their homes. Online Airbnb hosts can even earn a steady income, which is welcomed by many due to the economic impact the virus has had on jobs.
Some popular Airbnb Online Experiences are:
- Cooking Classes
- Virtual gaming
- Dance classes
- Virtual culture Tours
- Pottery Classing
- Music lessons
- Yoga classes
- Virtual safari tours
- Photography classes
- Painting
How to become an Airbnb Experience Host?
You will have to apply online to sign up for Airbnb Experience hosting, but the good news is that the application is straightforward.
You should make sure that your idea is unique or that it at least offers fresh elements that make it stand out from the thousands of online Airbnb Experience hosts worldwide. The plus side is that your application can always be edited, and you can alter your pitch if you get denied.
To apply to become an online Airbnb Experience host, you will be requested to:
- Fill out your necessary information about yourself and the Airbnb Experience you would like to host.
You will have to provide details on your location language and select a category for your Experience.
- Explain what makes you an expert
This is your opportunity to market yourself or your company. Although you do not need a formal qualification to be deemed an expert, Airbnb does want to know that you have enough knowledge in the field to provide valuable experiences for clients who sign up.
- Be specific about the Experience
Here you will be asked to choose a relevant description of what you are offering as your Airbnb Hosting Experience. Is it a unique activity that guests can’t do on their own? Can you provide a unique angle on an activity that guests can do on their own? Is your Experience a convenient way for guests to see tourists, landmarks, neighborhoods, or other travel destinations?
- Have photographs ready
Pictures speak a thousand words, and Airbnb loves candid photographs.
Top 3 Ways to Earn Money Airbnb Experience Hosting
- Take on large groups of people.
- Go above and beyond as some guests may offer you tips.
- Offer an experience that does not have too many overhead expenses. Experiences such as walking tours are an example of an inexpensive way of entertaining your guests instead of a cooking class where you will have to invest money to make money. If you have products or equipment on hand, be sure to make use of them. For example, if you are a musician or artist who is already well-stocked with equipment, use it by hosting a workshop.
According to Forbes, some Airbnb online hosts have racked up around $150,000 during the lockdown. Read more.
How does payment work?
Once you register as an Airbnb Experience Host, you will set up your payment method under your profile. Guests will pay for the Experience upon their booking while you, as a host, will have your money released into your account after you host your Experience.
As a standard, Airbnb charges a 20% service fee for Experiences, which covers the costs of their products, services, support, and liability insurance.
Read more on how to charge as an Airbnb Experience host.
In a world full of people seeking adventure, Airbnb Experiences offer the perfect opportunity for authentic connection, shared passions, and a safe way of earning money. With more than 2 000 people signing up for online Airbnb Hosting, the platform has adapted to suit people’s needs in an ever-changing world. Who knows? Maybe this is your chance to become a part of the fast-growing, flexible, and fun-loving craze.
Main Points:
- Airbnb has leveled up by offering Experiences as part of its platform.
- Hosts can register to offer an Experience or service to tourists visiting their town, even if they are not offering accommodation.
- As of last year April, Airbnb experiences are now offered online, which can be done from the comfort of your own home
- Airbnb hosting is a fun and convenient way of making money while doing what you love.
- Experience hosts can offer a range of activities or services so long as they have in-depth knowledge about it.
- Airbnb recommends experiences to guests by location or categories
- Guests book via Airbnb, and hosts are paid after they carry out their experience.