Good Morning Hospitality Airbnb Goes Experiential, Expedia Bets on AI: Jamie Lane Breaks It Down
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May 19, 2025 Jamie Lane, VP of Research at AirDNA, recently discussed Airbnb’s shift towards experiential services in a fascinating conversation. He shares insights from his interview with Airbnb CFO Ellie Mertz about the brand’s pivot to compete against traditional hotels. Lane also highlights how Expedia's AI advancements are reshaping travel planning, alongside the growing influence of travel influencers. The chat wraps up with news on Moving Mountains' new investment, signaling exciting changes in the vacation rental space.
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Airbnb's Move Into Services
- Airbnb is expanding into services to compete more directly with hotels by offering room service, massages, and spa options.
- This aims to grow Airbnb's revenue and make short-term rentals more competitive by integrating these auxiliary services.
Airbnb Targets Local Services
- Airbnb wants to dominate the booking of local services like private chefs and nail salons, a space with no major platform.
- Integrating these services onto Airbnb's platform leverages its booking, review, and payment systems for competitive advantage.
Commission Sharing Could Boost Hosts
- Airbnb should consider sharing commissions from service bookings with hosts to encourage adoption.
- Hosts currently do not benefit financially from these new services, leading to discontent among the community.