How Can Hosting Airbnb Experiences Boost Your Rental ROI?

As an Airbnb host, providing Airbnb experiences can help you maximize your revenue. These experiences on Airbnb, curated by local hosts, allow travelers to immerse themselves in their destination’s culture, history, and lifestyle.

In this article, we’ll walk you through what are Airbnb experiences, how to create an Airbnb experience, and how to host an Airbnb experience.

What are Airbnb Experiences?

Airbnb Experiences are unique, host-led activities that go beyond traditional tours or classes. These experiences are designed and hosted by locals, giving guests a personal, authentic connection to the destination through food, culture, adventure, or creative pursuits.

Unlike simply offering a place to stay, Airbnb Experiences let you showcase your skills, hobbies, or culture—and earn extra income while doing so.

You might offer:

• Cooking class on regional dishes
• Guided walking tour of hidden gems in your city
• Yoga session on your terrace
• Hands-on art or pottery workshop
• Nature hike followed by a home-cooked meal

The goal is to give guests something memorable, local, and immersive—something they can’t just Google or book through a regular travel agency.

Key Features of Airbnb Experiences:

1. Led by locals: Hosts personally lead the activities
2. Curated for small groups: Most experiences are capped to allow intimacy and interaction
3. Offered online or in person: Hosts can create virtual experiences too
4. Cover a wide range of interests: From mixology and farming to dance and historical storytelling

Airbnb ensures quality through a review process before publishing any experience. This maintains a level of trust and professionalism for guests.

How Airbnb Built a New Kind of Travel Experience?

The recent update of Airbnb Experiences and the launch of Airbnb Services reflects the company’s dedication to enhancing the way people travel by offering more than just a place to stay. By focusing on authentic, locally-led activities, Airbnb aims to create meaningful connections between guests and the communities they visit.

1. Global Expansion: Airbnb Experiences are now available in over 650 cities worldwide, offering a diverse range of activities that cater to various interests and cultures.
2. Integration with Stays: The updated Airbnb app seamlessly integrates Experiences with accommodation bookings, allowing guests to discover and book activities that complement their stays.
3. Airbnb Originals: A new premium tier called “Airbnb Originals” features exclusive experiences hosted by notable personalities. For instance, Megan Thee Stallion’s “Otaku Hottie Quest” offers fans a unique anime-themed event in Los Angeles.
4. Enhanced Social Features: The platform now includes social functionalities, such as group chats for experience attendees and the ability to see who else is participating, fostering community and connection among travelers.
5. Focus on Quality and Authenticity: Airbnb has implemented stricter vetting processes for experience hosts, ensuring that activities are led by knowledgeable locals who can provide genuine and high-quality experiences.

Bonus: How to Become an Airbnb Host: The Complete Guide

What Are Airbnb Services?

While most people know Airbnb as a platform for short-term stays, it has evolved into much more — offering not just accommodation, but a new kind of travel experience. This includes both Airbnb services and the fast-growing category of Airbnb Experiences.

Airbnb services refer to the additional amenities and offerings a host can provide beyond the stay itself. These services are designed to elevate the Airbnb host experience by making the guest’s trip more comfortable, customized, and memorable.

Examples include:

• Daily cleaning or laundry services
• Airport pickup and drop-off
• Meal preparation or grocery stocking
• Local tour recommendations or custom itineraries
• Pet sitting, babysitting, or bike rentals

By offering these kinds of services, hosts can:

• Improve guest satisfaction
• Justify premium pricing
• Increase occupancy and repeat bookings

These service upgrades complement the immersive, local-first approach that Airbnb is known for — especially when paired with Experiences on Airbnb.

Examples of Authentic Airbnb Experience Listings

Here are a few examples of Airbnb Experiences to give you an idea of the categories of experiences to host:

Secret Food Tours in Rome

This tour offers a glimpse into Rome’s unexplored culinary scene, led by an expert guide/host. Guests indulge in off-the-beaten-path delicacies to foster a sense of rich food culture.

Traditional Tea Ceremony and Kimono Dressing in Kyoto

This program offers guests valuable insights into Japanese culture through interactive activities like tea ceremonies and kimono dressing.

Family Vineyard Experience in Frascati, Italy

Hosts welcome guests to a history-walking vineyard tour to a wine cellar for a unique wine-tasting experience.

Who Can Host An Airbnb Experience?

Anyone with a unique passion, talent, skill, or local expertise can host an Airbnb Experience program. The platform encourages a diverse range of hosts, from local enthusiasts and chefs to artists and hobbyists.

Airbnb’s quality standards require meaningful, unique, and engaging experiences that guests can’t find anywhere else, adhering to local laws and regulations. Airbnb approves your Experience based on 3 pillars:

1. Expertise: Hosts must have a unique perspective, expertise, or credentials on the subject matter of their activity/workshop/tour. Highlight your unique expertise that answers, ‘Why should guests choose you over someone else?’
2. Insider Access: Invite guests directly to participate in your community/culture. Offer a unique angle or a twist, like introducing them to activities they wouldn’t have access to otherwise. Highlight your connection to such activities/workshops/classes by sharing a memorable experience. Hosts must convey, ‘Why guests will find your experience interesting?’
3. Connection: With Airbnb Experiences, hosts create meaningful connections. Ensure your guests feel welcome, safe, recognized, heard, and valued in the Experience program. Highlight all the ways you consider such details in your program.

Ask yourself:

• How will you take care of the comfort levels of a wide range of guests from different cultures?
• What will you do in case of unforeseen situations or changes in weather?
• How will you help guests connect?
• Are there any safety concerns in your area? How do you take care of them?

How to Create an Airbnb Experience?

So you want to host an Airbnb Experience? Whether it’s a cooking class, photography tour, or a unique Airbnb virtual experience, this guide will walk you through the key steps to get started and stand out. With the latest updates to the platform, Airbnb has made it easier than ever to build a business around authentic travel activities — and this is your chance to be a part of how Airbnb built a new kind of travel experience.

Step 1: Identify Your Strengths & Niche

To craft a successful Airbnb host experience, start by identifying what you’re truly passionate about. Are you a chef, an artist, a dancer, or a local history buff? Your niche should combine your skills with something uniquely local or personal.

Step 2: Design an Engaging Experience

Once you’ve defined your niche, ask yourself:

• What will my guests learn or feel?
• What makes this different from any other tour or class?

If you’re a chef, for example, think beyond recipes — maybe your guests shop at the local market with you before cooking. These small touches make your experience unforgettable and review-worthy. Whether it’s a hands-on tour, a cultural immersion, or an Airbnb for tours of your favorite hiking trail, the key is delivering real value and storytelling.

Step 3: Plan a Memorable Program

A standout experience is well-planned from start to finish. Build a clear itinerary that includes:

• Duration
• What’s included (tools, ingredients, materials)
• What guests need to bring
• Safety measures or preparation tips

Test-run your experience before going live. A smooth, enjoyable session leads to glowing reviews and repeat bookings.

Step 4: Create a Listing & Get Airbnb Approval

To officially create an Airbnb experience, you’ll need to submit your listing for review. Here’s what to include:

• Catchy title & detailed description
• Exact location
• Minimum 7 high-quality Airbnb photos
• What you provide vs. what guests bring
• Skill level or physical effort required
• Group size
• Duration & price per guest

If you’re hosting an Airbnb virtual experience, you’ll also need to upload a short demo video that shows what guests can expect.

Step 5: Set the Duration & Price Strategically

Be realistic about how long your experience takes — whether it’s a 2-hour city walk or a 90-minute online workshop. Consider your effort, materials, and Airbnb’s 20% commission when setting the price. Guests value quality and are willing to pay more for unique, high-touch experiences.

Step 6: Encourage Reviews & Build Social Proof

Social proof is everything on Airbnb. After your experience ends, encourage guests to leave a review. Thank them personally, respond to feedback, and use their testimonials to refine your experience. Consistent 5-star reviews are a major driver of visibility for experiences on Airbnb.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Airbnb Virtual Experience?

An Airbnb Virtual Experience is an online activity hosted by local experts that guests can join from anywhere in the world via Zoom. These experiences range from cooking classes and virtual tours to dance lessons and team-building workshops — all designed to offer cultural exchange, learning, and fun without the need to travel. It’s a great way for hosts to share their passion and for guests to explore the world from home.

2. How Much Does Airbnb Charge for Experiences?

Airbnb charges a 20% service fee on the price of each experience booking. This fee is deducted from the host’s payout and helps cover the cost of Airbnb’s platform, support, and marketing. Guests pay the full listed price, while hosts receive 80% of the earnings.