Airbnb hosts are no longer just offering places to stay—they’re creating unforgettable local adventures through Airbnb Experiences.
If you’re an Airbnb host passionate about wine-making, hiking, or preparing delicious local foods, you can share your passion with your guests and educate them on local attractions or customs.
In turn, your guests can not only enjoy your lodging or city: they can also experience educational and recreational activities that bring them closer to the local community.
If you’re unsure on how to do this or require help with improving or promoting your Airbnb experiences, check out Touch Stay’s digital guidebooks and try them out for free!
- Planning your airbnb experience
- How to choose a unique Airbnb experience theme
- Researching your market and audience
- Choosing the perfect location for your Airbnb experience
- Creating a Memorable Airbnb Experience
- How to list and market your Airbnb experience effectively
- Collecting feedback and improving your airbnb experience
- Final tips for a successful Airbnb experience
Planning your Airbnb experience
The first step of creating your unique Airbnb experience is planning and consideration. The factors that you need to take into consideration are:
- How to choose a unique Airbnb experience theme
- Choosing the perfect location for your Airbnb experience
- How to list and market your Airbnb experience effectively
How to choose a unique Airbnb experience theme
As per Airbnb, the host of an experience can only list it if they meet the following three criteria: they must demonstrate expertise, insider access and local connections.
So, when choosing an experience theme, you want to focus on offering an activity that you are not only passionate about, but also have extensive experience and knowledge on.
Depending on what type of activity you choose, you might need to provide additional documentation as some of the Airbnb experiences have restrictions or limitations. These include, but are not limited to specialized outdoor activities (skydiving, bungee jumping) or weapons handling of any kind.
That said, outside of activities that require special permissions or documentation, you can host an experience on anything, whether it’s pasta making with grandma in Italy or hiking through the South Coast of Iceland with Mike.
Researching your market and audience
Without understanding the market and your target audience, you will struggle with designing a top Airbnb experience that resonates and attracts guests.
By researching your local offerings and what guests in your area are interested in, you can tailor your Airbnb experience in a way that will let you resonate with your guests while also standing above the competition.
Here are the steps you can take:
Analyze Local Demand
Check the Airbnb listings in your area and identify what type of activities the guests are most interested in. Read through reviews, make a note of what the guests are saying and come up with experience tailored to the preferences of your guests.
Define Your Target Audience
Who is your target audience? Are they families, solo travelers or couples? Do you wish to offer an experience with a focus on outdoor activities for adventure seekers or low-effort, interactive activities such as arts for families with children?
When you identify your strengths and the type of experience you can offer, you want to ask yourself a question: who am I offering this experience to?
Leverage Online Tools
You should also take advantage of the online tools at your disposal. Using Google Trends or keyword research platforms, you can easily identify what type of experiences are guests looking for.
For example, you can search “hiking tours in [your city or area]” and see how many people are interested in such an experience.
Alternatively, you can research social media hashtags or communities that are talking about experiences similar to yours. This will give you important information on how best to structure and organize your own experience.
Test Your Idea
Before you launch your Airbnb experience, try testing it out on a smaller scale.
Invite friends, family and colleagues and share your ideas; see if they have suggestions or ideas that could improve your experience.
Additionally, explore whether you can start a trial version of your experience to determine interest and fine-tune logistics according to guests’ preferences.
Choosing the perfect location for your Airbnb experience
The location of your experience will naturally depend on what type of experience you are offering. If you’re offering an outdoor experience, look for scenic spots, parks or areas that would align with the outdoorsy experience you are considering to offer.
On the other hand, if you’re thinking about offering a type of workshop, consider using a studio or a home space. Alternatively, you can also opt to use a cozy cafe if your chosen activity allows it.
Most lucrative Airbnb Experiences
There are multiple factors that can influence how much money you can make on your Airbnb experience, such as the location, your level of expertise, and market demand.
For example, a Tuscan Wine Tour in Florence costs $167 per person, whereas a Surfing Lesson & Coffee in Waikiki costs $79 per session.
Regardless of your area of expertise, here are some of the most popular Airbnb experiences:
- Food and drink tours
- Hikes and wildlife tours
- Art and crafts workshops
- Wellness and yoga retreats
Creating a Memorable Airbnb Experience
Delight your guests with unforgettable moments that will have them sharing their experiences—and coming back for more!Airbnb does not leave anything up to chance, so you will need to do the following:
- Plan the itinerary
- Set expectations and provide clear details
- Add personal touches
Plan the Itinerary
As per Airbnb, you can’t really wing it: you can’t meet up with your guests in a craft room or outdoors and see what they are in the mood for.
Instead, you need to create a detailed itinerary that tells your guests when to arrive at a designated location, what activities are planned, when they can take a break and any and all information relevant to the experience.
Set Expectations and Provide Clear Details
Aside from providing your guests with a detailed plan on logistics, you also need to give them complete information on what to expect and bring to the experience.
This can include anything from appropriate footwear if you’re going hiking to bringing an appetite to a cooking class.
Your guests can’t enjoy a memorable experience if they are unprepared for it.
Add Personal Touches
It is your job to make your experience stand out in the sea of competition. While there will probably be similar Airbnb experiences available, you want to make sure that you offer something your competition does not.
Whether you provide your guests with local treats, custom souvenirs or a group photograph to commemorate the activity, make sure to authentically and warmly engage your guests.
This will ensure that they have a great experience while also encouraging them to come back.
How to list and market your Airbnb experience effectively
Regardless of how good your Airbnb experience is, without a well-suited listing and adequate marketing efforts you might struggle with attracting guests.
That is why we highlighted the steps on how to list and promote your Airbnb experience below: you need to create a standout listing, price your experience and promote it.
Creating a Standout Listing
A well-crafted listing can make all the difference when you are trying to attract potential guests. Here are some things every listing should include:
- Compelling title: Your title should be succinct and descriptive enough to attract guests. Instead of just saying “Wine Tasting” consider saying something along the lines of “Wine Tasting With Sunset and Garden Views.”
- Detailed description: The description is where you’ll explain the experience in full detail. Break it down into sections for easy reading and explain what the activity is, who’s it for, what items the guests should bring with them and anything that might be relevant to the experience.
- High-quality images: Make sure to include images like the ones below to highlight the experience and happy guests who decided to take it.
Pricing Your Experience
Setting the right price is crucial to attracting guests while also ensuring you cover your costs and earn a profit. Here are some strategies to help you get it right:
Balance Affordability with Profitability
You want to offer a price that reflects the value of your experience while also being accessible. Consider the following:
- What is the average price of similar experiences in your area?
- How much time, effort, and resources go into your experience? For instance, if you’re providing a catered meal or private transportation, those costs should be reflected in the price.
Use Airbnb’s Pricing Tools
Airbnb offers pricing tools that can help you set competitive rates based on local trends. These tools consider factors like demand, seasonality, and special events in your area.
If you’re unsure, use the "smart pricing" feature to help you stay competitive.
Research the Competition
Investigate similar experiences in your area. Look at:
- Prices for comparable activities.
- What is included in their offering (e.g., group size, duration, and the level of exclusivity)?
- Reviews and what guests say about the value for money. This can give you insight into pricing while making sure your offer is competitive but not underpriced.
Promoting Your Experience
Once your listing is live, promoting it effectively is key to attracting guests and building your reputation. Here are some ways to get the word out:
- Leverage Social Media: Share engaging content on Instagram and Facebook, including photos, behind-the-scenes shots, and guest testimonials. Utilize relevant hashtags, geotags, and location-based promotions to increase visibility.
- Collaborate with Local Businesses: Form partnerships with nearby restaurants, hotels, or tour companies. You can cross-promote each other's services on social media or offer joint packages. This collaboration not only increases your visibility but also helps attract both local customers and tourists.
- Get Featured on Local Tourism Websites: Reach out to local tourism websites that list activities and events in the area. Getting your experience featured on these platforms can help you connect with travelers who are actively looking for unique experiences.
Collecting Feedback and Improving Your Airbnb Experience
Guest feedback is essential for growing and refining your Airbnb experience. Use the reviews and suggestions you receive to make continuous improvements and keep your offering fresh.
Encouraging Guest Feedback
After the experience, kindly ask guests to leave a review. Positive reviews will help enhance your visibility on Airbnb and attract more bookings. Make sure to express gratitude for the feedback, and use it as a way to refine your offerings. Positive testimonials can also build your credibility and make your experience more attractive to future guests.
Reflecting and Making Adjustments
Reviewing feedback is a great way to identify areas for improvement. Whether it’s fine-tuning your itinerary, adjusting the price, or making small changes to the experience itself, guest input can provide valuable insights. The key to long-term success is adaptability—by staying open to feedback and making adjustments, you ensure that your experience remains engaging and appealing to guests.
Final Tips for a Successful Airbnb Experience
Hosting an Airbnb experience is a rewarding and exciting way to share your passion while earning income. By focusing on creating a well-planned, engaging, and memorable experience, you can stand out from the competition.
Ensure your listing is optimized with clear descriptions, competitive pricing, and professional photos. With a solid marketing strategy, good feedback, and continuous improvements, you'll build a loyal guest base and keep your experience thriving for years to come.
