Airbnb set to launch phase 1 of $200m 'everything app' reinvention plan this month

CapeTalk's Clarence Ford speaks to Primedia's Digital Content Editor Barbara Friedman about trending online stories.

Listen below:

Airbnb's CEO, Brian Chesky is spending hundreds of millions to relaunch his travel app as an "everything app" for its two billion users - meaning you will soon be able to book home rentals, tourist experiences, personalised services and more.

"Home rentals are simply a service, so why stop there? Airbnb could be the platform for booking all sorts of services. While other apps cover specific sectors—food delivery, home maintenance, car rides—Chesky figured that Airbnb’s experience in attractively displaying homes, vetting hosts, and responding to crises could make it more trustworthy than competitors, and therefore the go-to option for virtually anything," Friedman explains.

And it's about to be reality... 

"This month, Airbnb will launch the first stage of its more than $200 million reinvention: a panoply of more than 10,000 vendors peddling a swath of services in 260 cities in 30 countries," the company's CEO said.

Another key feature of the app will be focused on "experiences."

More than 22,000 experiences will be available in 650 cities. For example, someone could take a trip to Mexico City and book experiences instantly.

Eventually, Airbnb will offer “hundreds” of services, perhaps as far-ranging as plumbing, cleaning, car repair, guitar lessons, and tutoring, and then take its 15 percent fee, reports Friedman.

"He is the 290th richest person in the world, according to Forbes... so he's got a bit of money to play with to indulge his vision. I just thought it was interesting because a lot of people are somehow interested or involved in Airbnb and as it reinvents itself, it might open more opportunities."

- Barbara Friedman, Digital Content Editor - Primedia

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