Airbnb’s Bold Redesign: Expanding Beyond Stays to Local Services and Experiences

Airbnb is shaking up its platform with a sweeping redesign of its mobile app, marking a transformative step from being primarily a home rental marketplace to a comprehensive hub for local services and experiences. This ambitious expansion allows users to book not only unique accommodations but also trusted professional services and immersive activities—without the need to book a stay. The new “Airbnb Services” category joins the existing “Airbnb Experiences,” opening doors to a wider range of offerings tailored to both travelers and locals.

At launch, Airbnb Services will feature ten curated categories, showcasing vetted professionals who bring expertise in areas such as personal chefs, event catering, in-home massages, personal fitness training, and spa treatments. The platform assures quality by thoroughly verifying providers through identity checks, reputation assessments, and required licenses—most boasting an average of 10 years of experience. Service pricing starts affordably, with entry-level options below \$50, making these offerings accessible to a broad audience. This move essentially transforms Airbnb into a marketplace where users can engage trusted local specialists regardless of accommodation bookings.

The refreshed Airbnb Experiences section gets a makeover as well, offering a more fluid integration into the platform. Users will discover a richer palette of activities, ranging from simple city tours led by locals to daring, immersive experiences like wrestling lessons with professional luchadors. Airbnb is also actively encouraging new hosts to join its network for both services and experiences through the revamped app interface.

On the usability front, the redesigned app introduces a new “Explore” tab as the landing page, offering personalized suggestions for homes, services, and experiences based on destination and user preferences. The “Trips” tab streamlines itinerary planning by consolidating accommodation bookings, scheduled services, and experiences in one place. Additionally, the messaging system has been enhanced to support richer communication, including photo and video sharing between guests and hosts.

Hosts themselves benefit from a smarter interface overhaul. The new “Reservations Management” tab offers a consolidated view of upcoming bookings, while an updated calendar allows detailed daily and hourly scheduling. Listing management tools have been refined for easier handling of homes, experiences, and services, empowering hosts with greater control and efficiency.

Overall, Airbnb’s redesign signals a strategic pivot to becoming a holistic travel and local services ecosystem—connecting users with not only unique places to stay but also authentic local expertise and experiences that enrich their journeys.

What Undercode Say:

Airbnb’s new app redesign and the expansion into “Airbnb Services” represent a smart evolution that leverages its existing global network while tapping into a growing consumer appetite for authentic, personalized experiences beyond accommodation. The timing is particularly astute as travelers increasingly seek local, curated experiences that go deeper than the usual tourist fare.

By vetting service providers with strict identity verification and license requirements, Airbnb aims to build trust—a critical factor in convincing users to rely on these new offerings. The affordability of some entry-level services below \$50 is a clever way to lower barriers and encourage trial, which could significantly broaden the platform’s user base.

The seamless integration of services and experiences alongside accommodation bookings simplifies trip planning and helps Airbnb position itself as a one-stop travel app. This aligns well with broader industry trends where platforms strive to provide end-to-end solutions rather than fragmented services.

For hosts, the updated management tools could boost engagement and satisfaction, reducing friction in juggling multiple service types and bookings. Encouraging more local professionals to join expands Airbnb’s reach and enriches the ecosystem’s diversity.

However, Airbnb faces challenges in maintaining quality control across a vastly expanded offering. Unlike home rentals, local services like massages or personal training require not only vetting but also ongoing monitoring and user feedback to ensure consistent standards.

This move also puts Airbnb in direct competition with specialized service marketplaces and gig economy platforms like Thumbtack, TaskRabbit, or even wellness apps. Success will depend on how well Airbnb differentiates itself with its unique blend of travel, community, and trusted vetting.

In the longer run, Airbnb’s ecosystem could transform from a primarily lodging-centric marketplace to a lifestyle platform, fostering deeper user engagement and higher revenue diversification. If executed well, this could make Airbnb indispensable for both travelers and locals seeking curated experiences and services.

🔍 Fact Checker Results:

✅ Airbnb officially announced the mobile app redesign, expanding into “Airbnb Services.”

✅ Service providers undergo identity verification and licensing checks as claimed.

❌ No public data yet confirms the average 10-year experience metric for providers.

📊 Prediction:

Airbnb’s expansion into services is poised to reshape how travelers and locals interact with the platform, likely driving increased user engagement and higher transaction volumes. The integration of local services with accommodation and experiences will boost customer lifetime value and could lead to new revenue streams that insulate Airbnb from seasonal lodging market fluctuations.

If Airbnb can maintain strict quality standards and build a vibrant host community around these new categories, it will set a new industry benchmark—potentially inspiring other travel platforms to broaden their ecosystems similarly. In the next 12-24 months, expect Airbnb to launch more service categories and aggressively market these offerings to capitalize on post-pandemic demand for personalized, authentic travel experiences.