Airbnb is shifting its focus towards engaging local populations with its experiences business, which initially encountered several hurdles since its introduction over a decade ago. The company, traditionally resistant to mainstream tours in high-demand areas such as the Eiffel Tower, has relaunched its experiences format in 2025. The initiative is gaining traction, particularly in Paris, where CEO Brian Chesky recently highlighted notable progress at the Skift Global Forum.
Paris Experience Model Proves Promising
In Paris, Airbnb’s experiences have seen a remarkable increase, with growth multiplying sixfold year over year. Chesky acknowledged this success at the forum, emphasising that the strategy that effectively engaged locals in Paris is now being expanded to cities like New York, aiming for a broader application globally.
Plans for Wider Implementation
According to Chesky, the unexpected popularity among Parisians, who are now avidly booking local experiences, indicates a shift in market dynamics. He suggests that while this development in Paris is promising, there is still potential for scaling this local engagement strategy to a thousand other cities worldwide, expecting these trends to materialise in the near future.
Reporting based on coverage first published by skift.com.