Key Takeaways
Airbnb Experiences offers a lucrative opportunity for property managers to diversify their income.
Pairing Airbnb Stays with Experiences can increase bookings, improve guest reviews, and set listings apart from competitors.
Experiential tourism is growing: Airbnb reported 483 million nights and experiences booked in 2024, with continued growth expected in 2025.
Top-selling Airbnb Experiences include food and drink tastings, adventure activities, and cultural workshops.
What is an Airbnb Experience?
Airbnb Experiences are lucrative opportunities for short-term property managers looking to diversify their revenue and enhance guest enjoyment.
They typically are unique, host-led activities that are designed to connect the guest with the local culture.
Airbnb Experiences aims to provide immersive cultural activities, such as food and wine tastings, guided hikes, and/or artisanal workshops. It’s meant to take the traveler’s expereince away from the typical touristic sightseeing venues and provide a more familiar immersion into the culture they are staying in.
In the first quarter of 2024, night and experience bookings were up to 133 million, which indicates a 12% year-over-year increase. Airbnb Experiences 2025 remains a key part of the platform with celebrity collaborations, referred to as Icons, even being offered in some cities.
There is no doubt that providing Airbnb Expereinces is a great way to attract more guests and maintain a relationship with your clientele.
What’s The Difference Between Airbnb Host Vs. Airbnb Experiences
Both can be completed together and for optimal success, being an Airbnb Host who offers Airbnb Experiences along with their property is a great way to attract new guests and offer something different.
However, it is also possible to become an Airbnb Experiences host without having a short-term rental property yourself.
In fact, many Airbnb property managers, hire Airbnb Experiences hosts as an additional “service” to their rental.
Alternatively, a guest can book experiences themselves, independent of an Airbnb Stay.
Feature
Airbnb Stays
Airbnb Experiences
Primary Focus
Type of Host
Earning Model
Guest Interaction
Scalability & Growth
Booking Model
Guest Expectation
Platform Fees
Cancellation Policy
Do People Use Airbnb Experiences?
Airbnb Experiences have only continued to grow, as guests’ increasing need and desire for unique activities is on the up.
By the end of 2024, Airbnb reported a 9.8% year-over-year increase in bookings and experiences. That’s around 483 million nights and experiences booked on the platform! And, the expectations for 2025 are only on track for a similar increase.
The demographic of Airbnb Experiences points more towards solo travelers and couples who are searching for a personalized activity. Food and drink experiences rank among the most popular as both group activities or one-on-one “classes”. Adventure activities and hiking tours are also very common as many travelers want to see part of the countryside that isn’t as easily available to them as tourists.
For example, a popular experience is Truffle Hunting in Tuscany, where guests join local experts and their specialized dogs to search for truffles in the Tuscan woods. This is a very specific and seasonal activity, but one that provides guests with an authentic exposure to the traditional practices of this region.
Overall, the growing popularity of Airbnb Experiences is one that all property managers should take notice of.
What Happened to Virtual Experiences?
Airbnb launched Virtual Experiences in April 2020 in hopes of getting hosts and guests to connect during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They were online experiences that ranged from cooking classes to city tours, but as travel restrictions eased, the demand for virtual experiences dwindled and in-person activities returned. In 2021, Airbnb officially discontinued the Virtual Expereinces putting their full efforts into promoting face-to-face Airbnb Expereinces.
How Do Guests Find Your Airbnb Experience?
Guests can find Airbnb Experiences through the Airbnb website or app. It’s possible to browse by curated categories, destination, or filtering by date and availability.
Whether you are offering experiences yourself or are a property manager who wants to hire an Experiences Host for your rental, you must optimize your listing to be seen.
How Guests Discover Experiences on Airbnb
- Airbnb Search & Filters: Guests can search by destination, activity type, or keywords.
- Curated Collections: Airbnb highlights the top-rated experiences in seasonal guides and featured lists based on guest ratings and popularity.
- Location-Based Suggestions: When guests book a stay, Airbnb’s platform can suggest nearby experiences.
- Reviews & Ratings: Highly rated experiences appear higher in search results. This is similar to the benefits of becoming a Super Host.
Pro Tip: Make sure that your Airbnb description and images are well-thought-out and presented for the best results.
How to Get Seen as an Airbnb Expereinces Host
To gain more bookings, hosts should market Airbnb Experiences. Try listing on Google My Business to appear in local searches, while using social media like Instagram or TikTok can boost visibility with location-based hashtags.
Using SEO strategies with relevant keywords, like “best surf school in Bali” or “paella classes Valencia” will help to improve your discoverability.
Lastly, partnering with a local Airbnb Super Host is a great strategy and beneficial for both parties. This allows for a unique form of “cross-promotion” which will attract more bookings for both properties and experiences.
Pricing Guide and Maximizing Earnings as an Airbnb Experience Host
The big question that many people might have is how does Airbnb Experiences make money. Sure, they can attract more guests to rental properties, but do they actually stand a chance to make an income?
Airbnb Experiences typically range from $10 up to $500 per person, depending on the activity, group size, duration, materials needed, and location. Keep in mind, that activities can range from guided walking tours and simple workshops to private chefs and yacht charters!
Hosts set their prices, but Airbnb takes a 20% commission from each booking.
The amount that can be made depends on the host’s intentions. For example, is this a fun side hustle or is it meant to generate a full-time income? To help maximize income, hosts can “bundle” experiences with other offers, such as added photo packages or meals to accompany the activity.
How to Create an Airbnb Experience in 2025
An Airbnb Experience host is a great job since it gives you the chance to share your passions and expertise in an area while gaining an income. Although being successful requires a lot of planning and execution, some easy-to-follow steps can help you get started.
Avoid
🚫 Underpricing – You must cover all costs and still earn.
🚫 Overbooking
🚫 Poor Communication
Make Sure To…
✔ Offer a unique and engaging activity idea
✔ Competitive pricing strategy
✔ Well-written listing description
✔ Strong social media and marketing strategy
✔ Excellent customer service and communication
Is Hosting an Airbnb Experience Worth It?
Airbnb Experiences in 2025 will remain a valuable opportunity for hosts who want to expand their revenue and attract more guests.
As travel tendencies indicate that people want local experiences rather than typical sightseeing excursions, the value of offering Airbnb Experiences is important.
Airbnb property hosts should offer local experiences as a smart way to upsell their property and attract new guests.
Offering one-of-a-kind experiences that are tied to the property itself, such as a private cooking class in the rental unit will tie experiences directly with your property and result in higher guest ratings and reviews.
Whether you’re looking to diversify your Airbnb income or create a new business, hosting an Airbnb Experience can be a profitable, and fulfilling opportunity.
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