Airbnb Wants to Pay The Rent for 12 People to Live Anywhere
14 Jun 2021 by Sandra Escobedo in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Cuisine, Escape, Europe, General, Home, Hotels, Islands, Latin America, Pleasure, Restaurants, USA
Inspired by the growing flexibility to work and live from anywhere, Airbnb has announced the launch of “Live Anywhere on Airbnb”, a program for 12 individuals* to live exclusively in listings on Airbnb for approximately one year. Whether it’s joining Zoom meetings by the beach, taking family on the ultimate road trip, or learning a new language in a favorite city–participants can make the world their home for a year. They will be will asked to share their experiences with to help inform future product upgrades and innovations on the platform to better accommodate nomadic living. Airbnb will cover the cost of accommodations and provide an allowance for transportation for the duration of the program.
According to the Airbnb Report on Travel & Living, the share of stays 28 days or longer on Airbnb increased 10 percent in nights booked when comparing 2019 to Q1 2021. 11 percent of long-term stay bookers in 2021 reported living a nomadic lifestyle, with 74 percent of consumers surveyed across five countries expressing interest in living someplace other than where their employer is based after the pandemic is over.
Through this program, participants will provide real world insights on features, services, and the experience of living nomadically, that could help shape the future of long-term living on Airbnb, including:
* Product changes and resources that could help improve the long-term living experience
* Ideal types of accommodations for solo travelers or groups like families
* Connections to local community members and businesses
* Better understanding of financial benefits of Hosting while traveling
From young families to remote workers, creatives, empty nesters, and more, the brand is seeking a diverse set of 12 individuals who can be part of the program for 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022. Airbnb will assist with listing suggestions, local Experiences and more.
Participants who choose to host their primary residence on Airbnb during the program will be able to test the experience and opportunity of hosting while living nomadically, by potentially earning extra money while they travel. It’s easy for anyone who wants to host and take advantage of the coming travel surge. 50 percent of Hosts receive a booking request within four days of activation, and the average annual earnings per Host is $9,600***.
Long-term Airbnb guests and full-time travelers Debbie and Michael Campbell, known as The Senior Nomads, retired in 2013, sold their home and started traveling the world “one Airbnb at a time.” Now eight years later, they’ve lived in over 270 listings on Airbnb across 85 countries. They anticipate traveling to and living in ten countries in 2021.
“The experience of living on Airbnb has been truly transformational for us,” said Debbie Campbell. “Live Anywhere on Airbnb will give even more people the opportunity to see the world through a whole new lens just as we have. We’re excited to see more people living and working from wherever they choose.”
Those interested in embarking on their own nomadic adventure can submit their applications at www.airbnb.com/liveanywhere. Once selected, participants will begin their journeys with programming on how to live on Airbnb from The Senior Nomads, Airbnb product and research team members, and Live Anywhere experts like traveling journalist Imani Bashir.
*Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Each participant will be allowed to bring up to three companions to be part of the program.
**The program is 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022, 10 of which will include traveling to and living in listings on Airbnb.
***For new listings that were both activated and booked in Q1 2021; for the year ending April 30, 2021, the average annual earnings per Homes Host who has welcomed at least one guest on Airbnb.
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 900 million guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer one-of-a-kind stays and unique Experiences that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.