Airbnb recently began delisting many of its travel experiences offerings, causing confusion among operators who provide walking tours and other activities. Operators started receiving emails notifying them of the delistings, with most stating that the tours would be removed on June 20 and refunds issued for booked guests. Airbnb explained that they regularly evaluate experiences based on various criteria and remove those that provide low-quality experiences, such as lack of expertise, uniqueness, local relevance, or negative reviews.
Some operators speculated that Airbnb may be conducting a larger-than-usual purge of listings for quality control purposes. While the exact number of delistings is unknown, it is clear that Airbnb still plans to list tens of thousands of travel experiences worldwide in addition to its home-sharing listings. The messages sent to operators did not provide a specific reason for the delistings but stated that each experience did not meet Airbnb’s standards.
Despite the delistings and potential quality control measures, Airbnb remains committed to the experiences category. The company recently launched a product called “Icons,” which offers extraordinary experiences and signals Airbnb’s goal of expanding beyond just accommodations. CEO Brian Chesky indicated that Icons is a brand investment that sets the stage for future experience offerings. Airbnb had previously made strategic shifts in how it promotes experiences, removing them from the homepage in April 2022 and pausing new submissions on its experiences platform a year later. However, Chesky’s recent comments suggest ongoing support for the experiences category.
Chesky emphasized Airbnb’s intention to bring back experiences and expand the brand’s positioning beyond just providing a place to stay. He mentioned that people are increasingly considering Airbnb for experiences, indicating a shift in consumer perception. The company’s decision to introduce Icons and prioritize extraordinary experiences aligns with its long-term goal of becoming a one-stop-shop for travel accommodations and activities. Airbnb’s continued commitment to the experiences business despite the recent delistings and strategic tweaks reflects its dedication to offering diverse and high-quality travel experiences to customers worldwide.
In conclusion, Airbnb’s recent wave of delistings for travel experiences has sparked discussion among operators and raised questions about the company’s quality control measures. While the exact reasons for the delistings remain unclear, Airbnb has emphasized its commitment to the experiences category through the launch of Icons and CEO Brian Chesky’s supportive comments. The ongoing strategic shifts in how Airbnb promotes experiences and the company’s focus on expanding its brand beyond accommodations reflect its dedication to providing customers with exceptional travel experiences. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the delistings, operators can expect Airbnb to continue listing a wide range of travel experiences worldwide in the future.
