As the economy continues to recover, the hospitality industry is changing to accommodate the needs of travelers and hosts alike.
Airbnb is a leading travel rental website which allows people to rent out their homes, apartments, spare rooms and even RVs to travelers seeking an alternative to a traditional hotel stay. Since breaking onto the scene in 2008, the website has grown to offer rentals in 33,000 cities and 192 countries.
Unlike staying in a hotel or a resort, people open their homes to travelers of whom they have likely never met, or “strangers.” The Airbnb platform covers reservations, payments, security deposits, communication between host and guest and offers both parties the opportunity to review one another. Hosts are required to upload a profile picture in order to incorporate a more human element to the network.
The Internet changed the landscape of traveling all together. With more and more people unable to afford long, luxurious vacations, many are opting to travel like a local, gaining valuable insights and recommendations from their hosts to maximize their stay. Instead of being perceived as a stranger, hosts welcome the opportunity to find something in common with their guests and enjoy being hospitable and helpful. The incentive to earn some extra income for hosts doesn’t hurt, and the budget traveler can have access to an entire home fully equipped with cooking facilities and living rooms for the cost of a traditional hotel room.
While Airbnb values and encourages interpersonal connections for users, it’s also debunking the “stranger danger” myth. With face-to-face peer interaction, no longer is travel anonymous like forking over your credit card number for a hotel to a robot. Booking through Airbnb.com becomes all at once personal and familiar — and meeting your host and sharing stories face-to-face is a gratifying travel experience all its own.
Read This Next
How to Live Like a Local Abroad
Top Trends
Aug 27, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedDining/Entertainment
Nov 20, 2024Experience the Only Restaurant Made Entirely of Ice in America
You’ve heard of ice hotels, but what about ice restaurants? When ice Hôtel de Glace de Québec opens in January 2025, it will be home to the only restaurant made entirely of snow and ice in America thanks to a partnership with Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.
Sponsored Content
Discover Greece’s Tower Towns: A Journey Through History
Greece's tower towns offer a captivating blend of history, architecture and stunning landscapes that make them perfect for curious travelers. These towns, particularly found in the Mani region of the Peloponnese, are defined by stone towers built during the medieval period. Constructed for both defense and as symbols of family pride, the towers stand as a testament to the region's turbulent history and its residents’ resilience.
Destinations
Nov 20, 2024What Destinations Are Trending in 2025?
Luxury travel company Scott Dunn looks ahead to 2025 with predictions of hot destinations to visit. These focus on under-explored locations, sustainable tourism and exclusive experiences.
Destinations / Europe
Nov 20, 2024Where to Find the Best Stargazing Spots in Ireland
This year, the Northern Lights put on quite the display across Ireland, but don’t think these lights are the only thing you can see in Ireland. In fact, many spots across the country provide some of the best opportunities to stargaze thanks to low levels of light pollution. Ireland has three International Dark Sky Parks and even more spots which, although not accredited, are worth a visit for anyone wishing to see the sky in its unfiltered form.
Sponsored Content
Seoul: Your Favorite Worldwide City
Seoul is the place for your next bleisure destination.
Hotel
Nov 19, 2024A New Ritz-Carlton Comes to Cancún
After a hiatus, The Ritz-Carlton brand is coming back to Cancún, with the 2027 opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Cancún, Punta Nizuc.
ShareThis