How to Start & Run a Successful Airbnb Experience Business

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By : Antonio B Callueng Jr

Anyone can Provide an Experience for Others

Airbnb has helped countless tourists and digital nomads find clean, safe, and affordable homes. In my recent travel to Taiwan, I found a cozy, reasonably priced home just a few meters from the MRT Station. It was a great deal for my family, and we really enjoyed our stay. Airbnb has always been our budget-friendly and reliable partner over the years. So, we would love Airbnb even if it was just about renting other people’s homes and providing them with extra money.

A few months ago I had a short conversation with a friend on how to earn extra money, aside from my regular freelance writing work. I was quite surprised when she mentioned that Airbnb was also offering "Experiences" and then suggested that I hosted one myself.

I got curious and asked her about the details of this “Airbnb experience” opportunity. She explained that anyone can host unique experiences as an Airbnb host and post it on Airbnb’s website, and then even share it on social media themselves.

Basically, the “anything you want to do” gig that could turn anyone’s hobby into more money! 

So I hurriedly opened my browser and searched for Airbnb experiences. My eyes opened in amazement and I had a wide grin on my face. Hosting experiences is something I would love to do and this would easily become a viable source of income. Actually, it could turn anyone into an entrepreneur overnight! 

• Olympic gold medal-winning triathlete Simon Whitfield has successfully hosted an Airbnb Experience for a number of years.

What is an Airbnb Experience? 

Airbnb Experiences are not your typical “tour” but they are "one of a kind experiences." Whether you're on a trip, exploring your own city, or even staying at home, you can still learn something new from an expert “Experience” host. 

If you check Airbnb's website, or even their app, you will see various types of experiences offered.

There are regular people who are offering experiences based on what they are great at: cooking, music, arts, guided tours and adventure, and even horse whispering. The experiences are diverse and represent different cultures from around the world. 

Imagine having:

• a sinkhole adventure in Oman with a local guide

• a Mole cooking class with an Indigenous chef in Mexico City (pronounced: mo-lay, or molé)

• a cigar rolling and pairing masterclass in Cuba.

The choices are extensive, and the possibilities are endless. 

Note: Many face-to-face experiences have been paused due to the COVID19 pandemic. Airbnb has a viable alternative: online experiences. So now many of the in-person experiences can still be offered as online experiences by using a smartphone, computer, or conferencing application.

As nearly all of the experiences can be done from home, even people who are stuck at home without work can effectively offer an Airbnb experience of their own and earn extra money! 

How do you become an Airbnb Experience Host?

Being an Airbnb experience host is exciting and easy. Unlike hosting a home that needs physical space and a bit of renovation, hosting an experience just needs creativity and planning.

All you have to do is go to the Airbnb website and follow a few simple steps to become an Airbnb Experience host. You don’t need a new account in Airbnb, you will be using the same account for hosting. Click here to start the process.

Think of activities that you can offer your guest: are you a writer, singer, dancer, chef, bartender, poet, story-teller, teacher, anything you are good at that you think your guests will enjoy doing.

You can also think of places of interest in your locality, or if you are a digital nomad, you can offer your guest a glimpse of the nomad "lifestyle" and have walking tours or adventures with them. 

How to plan your experience

Airbnb Experiences will offer you a number of different themes to select for the type of experience that you will be offering.

Since I'm neither a performer nor an artist,  I thought of two things I’m good at doing: finding excellent food and discovering incredible places. So I started planning my activities and itinerary. 

Note from Eat Wander Explore: We might differ from Antonio in our selection, as we are digital nomads. Thus, we might select the following themes instead:

- Culture and history > Storytelling
- Fitness and recreation > Walking tour
- Outdoor activities > Backpacking tour or Hiking tour
- Food > Food tour or Street food tour
- Movies, TV, or radio > Film location tour

Take note that everybody is different and there are many options to choose from!

Before you host an Airbnb Experience, make sure you are ready with your plans, specific activities, itinerary, and clear photos of the places or activities.

You will be required by Airbnb to submit an itinerary, description, details of the activities, and upload clear photos depending on your offered experience.

Check out this link to look at examples of details you need to have in your page.

Note by Eat Wander Explore: This is fairly long and detailed process and may take some time. It is akin to putting together a resume or cover letter for a job.

Afterward, plan your schedule, depending on your availability. You can host multiple experiences in a single day or have experiences scheduled during weekends.

Since I was busy with other commitments during the weekdays, I usually scheduled my Airbnb experiences on weekends. Please click here for a sample of my Airbnb Experience Page.

Pricing and number of hours

Pricing will depend on a lot of factors, but what I would recommend is to look at similar experiences on the Airbnb website to determine your pricing.

Since you're new, I suggest pricing it a bit lower than similar experiences so that you can attract more guests and build up more quality reviews.

• Consider the amount of time you will spend in the activity; more hours means a slightly higher price. After all, you want to make sure that you are paying yourself a fair rate for your time and expertise - as well as any extras that are included.

Remember, Airbnb will have a 20% share of your total earnings on the experience, so you have to consider that in your pricing as well.

Getting your first Booking

Setting-up and having your Experience approved by Airbnb is essential. But getting the first booking of your Airbnb Experience is crucial.

Make sure you message your confirmed guest(s) as soon as possible.

Discuss details such as:

• schedule

• inclusions

• materials needed

• expectations

• where to meet

• and other essential information

Discuss anything that appears on your Experience page to be sure that you'll be meeting their expectations.

Preparations before the Airbnb Experience

You're now ready to meet your first guests.  You’ve prepared the materials, checked the venues, and planned. Your first client is crucial since they will determine your first rating for your Experience.

A rating of 3 out of 5 or less can create problems; the target is to have at least a rating of 4 out of 5 or higher. 

So my suggestion is to invite friends over to have a dry-run or practice. Ask them to do do the activities with you. Afterward, ask their honest opinion and get their suggestions on how to improve the activity.

Before I started my first Experience, I brought my wife along and asked her to pretend to be my guest. Afterward, she suggested some changes in my itinerary and activity.

The dry-run worked, I got an average of 4.5 out of 5 on my first guests. 

The Actual Day of the Airbnb Experience

Establishing rapport or a friendly demeanor is very important. It does not matter if it's an online or face to face experience, you have to make your guest feel welcomed.

When I was hosting my Experience, I usually try my best to smile and greet them right away. 

Preparation is also essential, make sure all materials are ready. Check if the venues are available and if they are not, find alternatives. Please inform the guest of any changes.  

When hosting experiences, prepare interesting trivia for your guest. And of course, make it an enjoyable Airbnb Experience for them.  If they enjoyed your hosting, they would rate you well, and more people will book your Experience. 

After your Experience try to reflect: What went well? What things should improve?

Read guest comments posted on the Airbnb Experience page. Then make necessary adjustments in your next scheduled Experience. Remember there is always room for improvement.

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Ready to get started? Click here to begin hosting your own Airbnb Experience!

FAQ’s

How do I create a unique and memorable Airbnb experience for my guests?

To create a unique and memorable Airbnb experience, you need to think about what makes your location, activity, or skill special and how you can share it with your guests. You should also consider your target audience, their interests, and their expectations. Some tips to make your experience stand out are¹²:

* Offer something that is not easily accessible or available elsewhere, such as insider access, local knowledge, or personal stories.

* Showcase your passion, personality, and expertise, and make your guests feel welcome and comfortable.

* Provide high-quality equipment, materials, and amenities, and ensure safety and hygiene standards are met.

* Customize your experience to suit different preferences, needs, and skill levels, and be flexible and adaptable to changing situations.

* Add some surprises, fun, and humor, and create opportunities for interaction and connection among your guests.

How do I market and promote my Airbnb experience to attract more bookings?

To market and promote your Airbnb experience, you need to optimize your listing, reach out to potential guests, and leverage different channels and platforms. Some tips to increase your visibility and bookings are³:

* Write a clear, catchy, and descriptive title and description for your experience, and use high-quality photos and videos to showcase what you offer.

* Use keywords, categories, and tags that match what your guests are looking for, and update your availability and pricing regularly.

* Respond to inquiries and requests promptly and professionally, and communicate with your guests before, during, and after the experience.

* Encourage your guests to leave reviews and ratings, and share your experience on social media, blogs, and other websites.

* Partner with other hosts, local businesses, or organizations that can help you reach more customers or enhance your experience.

How do I handle feedback and reviews from my guests?

To handle feedback and reviews from your guests, you need to be open, respectful, and appreciative. Some tips to improve your reputation and relationship with your guests are:

* Ask your guests for feedback during or after the experience, and listen to their comments and suggestions.

* Thank your guests for their feedback and reviews, and acknowledge their positive and negative points.

* Respond to feedback and reviews publicly and privately, and address any issues or concerns that your guests have.

* Learn from feedback and reviews, and make changes or improvements to your experience based on your guests' feedback.

* Invite your guests to book again or recommend your experience to others, and offer incentives or discounts for repeat or referral customers.

(1) How to start a business on Airbnb - Resource Centre - Airbnb. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/resources/hosting-homes/a/how-to-start-a-business-on-airbnb-534.

(2) Guide: How to Start an Airbnb Business in 2024 - Wise. https://wise.com/us/blog/how-to-start-an-airbnb-business.

(3) How To Start An Airbnb Business And Succeed?. https://rentalsunited.com/blog/how-to-start-an-airbnb-business-and-succeed/.

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