Airbnb teams up with Zoom to launch Online Experiences

Airbnb teams up with Zoom to launch Online Experiences

With Airbnb’s ‘in-person’ Experiences currently suspended, the short-stay accommodation giant has created a new way for people to connect, travel virtually and earn income during the COVID-19 crisis.

Airbnb Online Experiences provides new activities for families to explore, like learning the secrets of magic, as well as options for work colleagues who want to reconnect and bond with team activities like making coffee with a professional coffee taster.

Online Experiences also offers features for groups looking to celebrate birthdays or get-togethers privately, and the option to request specific dates for experiences like bartending with experts.

Airbnb’s new virtual offering unlocks access to hosts from more than 30 different countries, including Olympic medallists Alistair Brownlee and Lauren Gibbs.

Whether a HIIT 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, said.

“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.”

More than 50 virtual Airbnb Experiences are available to book, with thousands more coming online in the next few months.

Online Experiences will be hosted on Zoom, and Airbnb is providing hosts access to the video conferencing platform free of charge, along with personalised support services for curating, capturing and sharing their online content.

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