Airbnb has announced the launch of Online Experiences, a new
way for people to connect, travel virtually and earn income during the COVID-19
crisis. With communities around the world staying home to protect their own
health and the health of others, people cant pursue routine activities like
going to work, exercising or pursuing a passion.
Now, Online Experiences will change that by allowing hosts
to earn an income in these uncertain times, and bring their transformative
virtual Experience to millions of guests.
Airbnb Experiences offers an array of options like meditation with Buddhist monks, virtual visits with the dogs of Chernobyl, cooking with Moroccan family, and more. With so many people sheltering in place, Online Experiences provides:
Online Experiences unlocks unprecedented access to inspiring
hosts from more than 30 different countries, including Olympic medalists
Alistair Brownlee and Lauren Gibbs. Whether a HIT workout, learning about
nutrition with a Bobsledder or a virtual bike tour, guests can now connect with
some of the most celebrated athletes in the world from the comforts of their
own living room.
"Human connection is at the core of what we do," said,
Catherine Powell, Head of Airbnb Experiences. "With so many people needing to
stay indoors to protect their health, we want to provide an opportunity for our
hosts to connect with our global community of guests in the only way possible
right now, online."
To help those who are most isolated, like older adults,
Airbnb has partnered with local organizations around the world to curate
Experiences for their communities to be able to learn a new skill while
protecting their health. Airbnb will work alongside the following to offer
Experiences free of charge:
"Millions of elders arent able to go outside and risk their
health due to the current crisis, and need activities to help them stay
connected to the world around them," says Michael Adams, SAGE CEO. "Through our
partnership with Airbnb, SAGE is able to give older members of LGBT communities
across the country an opportunity to not only meet other people, but also learn
a new hobby and travel to nearly anywhere around the world, all from the safety
of their home. This is what partnership and connection is all about."
Booking opens immediately with more than 50 virtual Airbnb
Experiences available at airbnb.com/online-experiences, with thousands more
coming online in the coming months. Online Experiences will be hosted on Zoom,
and Airbnb is providing Hosts access to Zoom free of charge along with
personalized support services for curating, capturing and sharing their Online
Experience. For more information, those interested in hosting please visit
airbnb.com/onlinehost.
With Airbnbs in-person Experiences suspended through the
end of April to protect the safety and wellbeing of hosts and guests, Airbnb is
leveraging its technology platform to help its hosts continue to earn, while
also allowing our guests to learn a new skill, safely connect with others, or
pursue an interest.
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