Your conciergerie in Labenne reveals the story of the creation of Airbnb

You certainly know the Airbnb online booking platform, but do you know its history? This multinational created by three students was initially only a solution to make profitable an empty room to be able to pay the rent. Intentions that have ultimately changed very little since the creation of Airbnb. Since its takeoff, many other companies have taken up the idea with their own reservation system, however Airbnb has constantly reinvented itself to remain the leader in seasonal rentals. Your Labenne Concierge tells you how this multibillion-dollar business started with four inflatable mattresses and cereal boxes. 

The difficult beginnings of Airbnb creation

All business ideas are born with everyday situations that may seem very innocuous. In 2007, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia left New York for San Francisco. Sharing the same apartment, they nevertheless have difficulty paying their rent and are looking for a way to supplement their end of the month. 

The idea of ​​becoming a host 

The two young men then noticed a steady influx of visitors, especially during the local conference on industrial design. They then have an idea that will sign the beginnings of Airbnb: if all the hotels are full, they will take the opportunity to rent a night at their place.  

The two co-founders therefore made their first commercial investment: four inflatable mattresses (called airbed in English) and the creation of a website called “Air Bed and Breakfast”. They thus offer their accommodation at low prices including the night and the breakfast. It's a small success, they receive three tenants happy to have found cheap accommodation. 

An Airbnb visibility problem

The two creators are quickly joined by Nathan Blecharczyk who will become the third co-founder of the booking platform. Only, at the time, their site did not take off. They receive only one visit and find themselves confronted with an imposing visibility problem. They then have the idea to turn their idea into a successful business. However, young entrepreneurs have no savings and must find funds to launch their project.

In 2008, the three founders once again took advantage of the calendar for the benefit of Airbnb. Just before the Democratic National Convention in Denver, they create a brand of cereal with the image of the Democratic candidates. It's a success: “Obama O's” and “Cap'n McCain's” sell for $40. This money allows Brian, Joe and Nathan to modify their seasonal rental site which is selected in 000 by a business incubator: Y Combinator. 

However, despite the funding obtained and the efforts made, the beginnings of the booking platform were difficult. Few visits, profitability far from their expectations... The creators of Airbnb decide to meet users to obtain the opinion of landlords. They then discover the main problem of their site: the photos of the advertisements are not of good enough quality, leaving potential customers on the reserve. The three founders temporarily become Airbnb photographers and improve the attractiveness of their site.

How Airbnb made a name for itself on vacation rentals

Thanks to their perseverance, Air Bed and Breakfast (contracted in Airbnb) evolves and gains notoriety. The creators of the site quickly understood the enthusiasm of travelers for this system and extended their offers wherever seasonal rentals developed. The platform adapts to the change of mentality and offers rentals directly with the host to share a roof, but also a culture. 

Airbnb's user-friendliness is a major driver of their success. They thus allow holidaymakers to feel at home or to have the feeling of being welcomed by friends. They forge links and transform their holidays into a real experience. The Airbnb formula pleases in its simplicity, but also by the very affordable prices they offer. 

Since the creation of Airbnb, the platform has developed a consulting section to improve the experience of tenants and owners alike. It also makes it a point of honor to guarantee the safety of travelers by verifying the contact details of owners and allows former tenants to leave comments on their past reservation to reassure Internet users. Airbnb is a leader in the short-term rental space thanks to its innovation, development and efficient design.  

What are the advantages for the owners of your concierge service in Labenne?

To optimize your seasonal rental, the Airbnb platform is a must. It provides increased visibility to posted ads and ensures the safety of its users by verifying the data it receives. This is why your Labenne concierge works with the platform to promote your accommodation and improve your occupancy rate. 

The owners of your concierge service in Labenne benefit from expert support for the rental of their property. To do this, we take care of all of your rental management. Although absent when Airbnb was created, our agents have specialized in the management of seasonal properties through online platforms to ensure maximum profitability. In addition, we guarantee our clients an average increase of 25% on their rental income while saving them valuable time. 

The story of the Airbnb creation is interesting, because it shows that an idea coming from a simple observation can be at the origin of a multinational still growing 15 years after its creation. Over time, the online booking platform has evolved with the aim of providing its users with the best possible experience. The three co-founders persevered, found the funds and developed their business to allow the democratization of seasonal rentals. Your concierge service in Labenne helps you take advantage of the advantages of the Airbnb platform and make your property profitable through short-term rentals. From now on, you will be able to benefit from Airbnb visibility while knowing that this story only began with inflatable mattresses and cereal boxes.