What are Airbnb Experiences?

Airbnb experiences are one-of-a-kind activities designed and hosted by inspired locals that make the traveler dive into the host's world during their stay. Experiences are important business drivers that enable locals - who have a passion or skill that can be shared - to incubate new ideas, earn additional income and reach the vast Airbnb community in the world, all without investing capital, which is normally needed to start a business. Thus, with Experiences, Airbnb offers unprecedented access to local communities and passions through over 40,000 personalized host activities in over 1,000 locations worldwide. We believe that Experiences can be an important tool for economic growth and personal satisfaction, especially for women entrepreneurs and travelers.

Women Entrepreneurs and Airbnb Experiences

Claudia continues the previous generations tradition of authentic and artisan pre-Hispanic chefs. She loves sharing this tradition with guests staying at her home in Mexico City, with whom she cooks tortillas, mole, and camote (sweet potato) while telling stories of her community. Claudia is a successful Airbnb Experience host and accompanied us in the global launch of the Kitchen Experience category.

Tia is from Charleston, South Carolina, and has a great passion for outdoor activities and marine life. Her family has been fishing for generations. She started hosting Airbnb Experiences while working as a bar manager. Today, she dedicates all of her time to the host work.

In addition, women make up about 56% of Airbnb hosts and have earned close to $32 billion since the company's inception in 2008, and $12 billion in 2018. Women are also leading the way in creating memorable experiences for travelers around the world and make up almost 52% of our host community in Latin America.

The tendency to travel alone

Whether for a short business trip or a solitary adventure, travelers are choosing to travel alone more than ever. According to Airbnb data, San Pablo, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen are among the most popular global destinations for solo travelers. Today, it is easy for these travelers to discover new destinations with the help and recommendations of the locals. Several studies show that women are increasingly traveling alone (even more than men) and to live new, non-traditional experiences when visiting their travel destinations. Women traveling alone double the number of men who opt for Airbnb Experiences each year, as they book these activities to learn more about local culture, learn skills, enjoy food, and take part in cultural experiences. Likewise, they are looking for host women who offer unique cultural experiences in the cities they visit.

How is Airbnb supporting women entrepreneurs?

We are working worldwide with grassroots organizations to train and empower women entrepreneurs to host. Through the Academy of Africa, Airbnb provides support and training to residents in vulnerable communities. The program includes three days of training, mentoring, and technical support. This academy generated 55 new tourism entrepreneurs, mostly women who plan to host Airbnb Experiences. In India, Airbnb has partnered with SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association), Princess Diya Kumari Foundation, and the National Women's Commission to empower rural women and help them become hosts. In the United States, Airbnb works with organizations such as United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NACCP). Our partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank, joining the #100KChallenge campaign to generate new opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Latin America via Airbnb Experiences, is an important step as it enables us to be among the companies that support the IDB's efforts to empower 100,000 women entrepreneurs in the region by 2021 through the strengthening of their digital and entrepreneurial skills. Therefore, together with the IDB, we seek to create economic opportunities for businesswomen in Latin America using their passions and skills.

Nayana RenuKumar*

*Nayana RenuKumar is Airbnb's Head of Experiences Policy, Americas & APAC, based in San Francisco. Among her responsibilities is the elaboration of the global policy strategy for Experiences and the establishment of partnerships with governments and non-governmental actors. Prior to her current role, Nayana led Airbnb's relations with the government of India.

Are you already part of the Tourism Week with Airbnb? From December 2 to 6, we will conduct a week of online training where you can learn in more detail how to turn your business into an Airbnb Experience. To register, click here.