The Skift Travel Podcast Skift Sessions Episode featuring Brian Chesky, CEO & Founder of Airbnb
Oct 16, 2025
Brian Chesky, Co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, shares insights on the company’s evolution in a conversation with Rafat Ali. He discusses Airbnb's expansion beyond home stays into services like in-home chefs and experiences, addressing the demand for integrated travel offerings. Chesky explains how Airbnb plans to tackle slowing growth through enhanced marketing and a renewed focus on hotels and global markets. He also highlights the potential impact of AI on travel, including smarter searches and app interfaces, signaling a transformative era for Airbnb and the industry.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Services Fill A Clear Market Gap
- Airbnb sees services (chefs, masseuses, photographers) as a natural expansion to match what hotels offer and win guests.
- Brian Chesky argues no global app currently lets you easily book in-home services, creating a large opportunity.
Build Experiences With Marketing And City Focus
- Invest in marketing, supply quality, social media, and rebuilt product to make experiences work at scale.
- Pilot in a few cities, follow bookings, and let customer behavior decide which experience categories succeed.
From Hypergrowth To Durable Foundation
- Airbnb intentionally moved from hypergrowth to building a sustainable, profitable foundation after the pandemic.
- Chesky says profitability and platform rebuilds enable layering of future businesses to accelerate growth.