Before diving into the steps, it's crucial to understand what Airbnb is looking for in an experience. They don't want simple sightseeing tours. They prioritize activities that offer:
- Expertise: You must have in-depth knowledge or skills in your field. Show what makes you unique and qualified.
- Exclusive access: offer something that travelers couldn't easily do on their own. This could be access to a secret location, a meeting with local artisans, or a unique perspective on a topic.
- Human connection: the experience should foster meaningful exchanges and interactions between you and the participants, as well as among the participants themselves. It is this human aspect that will make the experience memorable.
The steps to becoming an Airbnb Experience host:
Find your unique experience idea:
-
- What are you passionate about? Think about your hobbies, skills, local knowledge, or what makes your region special. It could be a traditional cooking class, a guided hike with local anecdotes, an art workshop, a photo shoot in unusual locations, a tasting of regional products, etc.
- Think "immersion": how can you make participants experience something rather than simply observing it?
- Differentiate yourself: are there already similar experiences? If so, how will yours be unique?
Visit the Airbnb Experiences platform:
-
- Log in to your Airbnb account (or create one if you haven't already).
- Look for the section "Become an experience host" or "Offer an experience".
Create and detail your experience ad:
This is the most important step where you will present your project. Be clear, engaging, and concise.
-
- Title and description: catchy and explicit. Describe in detail what participants will do, learn, and experience. Highlight the key benefits and why your experience is special.
- What's included: list everything you will provide (equipment, food, drinks, transport, etc.) and what participants need to bring.
- Route: describe the activity step by step.
- Location: Indicate the precise meeting point and any information needed to get there.
- About you: Share your story, your expertise, and your passion for what you offer. This is an opportunity to create a personal connection with future participants.
- Photos and videos: High-quality visuals are essential! Use photos that show the activity in action, participants having fun, and the venue. For online experiences, a short demonstration video is required.
- Price: Set a price per person. Remember that Airbnb takes a commission (usually 20%) on each booking.
- Duration: Indicate the total duration of the experience.
- Group size: define the minimum and maximum number of participants to ensure good interaction.
- Requirements (age, activity level): specify if the experience has any age restrictions, physical difficulty level, or specific prerequisites.
- Languages: Indicate the languages in which you will be conducting the experience.
Submission for Approval:
-
- Once your listing is complete, you submit it to the Airbnb team for review.
- Airbnb evaluates each proposal to ensure it meets their quality criteria (expertise, privileged access, human connection).
- The approval process can take a few days to a week. You will receive a notification from Airbnb regarding the status of your proposal.
Managing your experience:
-
- Calendar: Once approved, you can add your availability to the calendar. You have the flexibility to offer your experience whenever you want.
- Communication: You will interact directly with participants via Airbnb messaging.
- Payments: Airbnb handles payments and pays you your earnings after deducting their commission.
- Note: Participants will be able to leave reviews about your experience, which is crucial for attracting new bookings.
Important Points to Consider:
- Legal and regulatory aspects: depending on the nature of your experience (physical activities, food preparation, alcohol consumption, etc.), you may need specific licenses, permits, insurance, or have to comply with certain local regulations. Be sure to check beforehand!
- Insurance: Airbnb offers liability insurance for experienced hosts (Host Guarantee), but it is always recommended to check your own personal or professional insurance.
- Host profile: Your profile must be complete, with a photo of you (no company logos) and a description that reflects your personality and passion. Airbnb emphasizes the human element.
By following these steps and focusing on originality and authenticity, you'll have every chance of successfully offering memorable experiences on Airbnb! Good luck!