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Airbnb goes beyond the home

One of the world’s most popular home-sharing sites is adding ‘experiences’ and ‘places’ into the mix like violin-making in Paris.

Airbnb today unveiled the biggest development in its short history as it moves beyond accommodation with the launch of Trips.

EXPERIENCES:

You can have adventures like lessons from a samurai master in Japan, training with marathon runners in Kenya, or go surfing with a local pro in Malibu.

The new app promises that you will discover the hidden gems only locals know about via personal recommendations.

The experiences function also offers the chance to give back to the community you are visiting. In Detroit for example, Khali Sweeney provides an opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at his Downtown Boxing Gym that provides local children with an after-school program of healthy snacks, homework time, and boxing lessons.

The idea is to bring together where you stay, what you do and the people you meet all in one place.

“Until now, Airbnb has been about homes,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO during the announcement streamed online.

“For many people, travel is easy – but it’s not magical.

“Today, Airbnb is launching Trips, bringing together where you stay, what you do, and the people you meet all in one place. We want to make travel magical again by putting people back at the heart of every trip.”

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Using a redesigned version of the app, travellers can easily immerse themselves in the local community with off-the-beaten-path activities and Airbnb hosts as their guides.

Like having a travel guide in your pocket. Image: Airbnb
Like having a travel guide in your pocket. Image: Airbnb

"If you want to have an amazing trip, you end up basically on a research project," Chesky said on stage. "You're in line, you're lonely, you're outside, and you're doing things locals never do."

Airbnb Trips is a way around that, Chesky says. “If you have a passion, an interest, or a hobby, you can share your community with others in the world.”

You can tailor so much more in the one app. Image: Airbnb
You can tailor so much more in the one app. Image: Airbnb

PLACES:

This function includes everything from audio guides created by locals, and "near me now" guides. Not only can you find a recommended local restaurant, you'll be able to book it directly from the app.

Kind of like online guidebooks created by the people that live in the place you want to go.

The updated app also introduces an extra layer of security so travellers feel comfortable.

A new identity authentication process where hosts and guests will be asked to scan an official ID (like your passport) and then take a selfie has been added.

After the ID is authenticated, the ID and selfie will be reviewed to confirm that both pictures appear to match. This new security step is required for all Experiences users, and is also currently being tested for homes bookings.

Trips is launching with three key areas – Experiences, Places and Homes, with a view to Flights and Services to be added in the future.

This new phase takes the Airbnb motto of ‘experience a city like a local’ to the next level.

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