Airbnb is taking its next big swing — and it’s more than just finding a place to sleep.

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In a major app overhaul announced Tuesday, the company launched a new feature allowing users to book services and experiences alongside or independently of accommodation. From massages and chef-cooked meals to art workshops and food tours, Airbnb is moving deeper into the territory of companies like Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide.

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The feature, rolling out across 260 cities in eight countries, reintroduces a more curated version of the Airbnb Experiences idea it paused back in 2023. This time, it includes everything from personal training and makeup to cultural tours and even Airbnb Originals — a celebrity-led experience series that includes pastry making with Parisian chefs and volleyball with Olympians in Rio.

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It’s all part of a broader strategy to turn Airbnb into a platform for everything travel, not just places to stay. And crucially, Airbnb will take a 15% commission on services and 20% on experiences — a new revenue stream that doesn’t rely on its core stays business.

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Also new is a bigger social push. The app will soon include group chats for people who meet during experiences, hoping to keep travellers connected — and engaged. It follows last year’s redesigned profile feature, which Airbnb says led to a 15x increase in completed user bios.

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Behind the scenes, Airbnb is going all-in on AI, with a recently launched virtual assistant that can answer customer queries, help plan trips, and eventually act like a full concierge. It’s currently live for English-speaking users in the US, with a global rollout planned later this year.

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With over 1.5 billion devices accessing Airbnb in the past year, CEO Brian Chesky says a significant number of users browse without booking. These new features aim to change that — turning inspiration into conversion, and potentially reigniting wanderlust for those planning staycations or short breaks.

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As the lines blur between booking a trip, making plans, and connecting with others, Airbnb is betting that AI, experiences, and lifestyle services are the future of travel — and that it can be the one platform to rule them all.

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