For several years now, the rental platform Airbnb has implemented Experiences on its website. We then leave the world of seasonal rentals to get closer to one of the other foundations of the platform: meeting and creating exceptional memories during Airbnb stays. Airbnb Experiences are therefore completely independent of rentals: you don't need to be an owner to offer an experience and you don't need to be a tenant to participate. A welcome addition to boost the stay of thousands of tourists transiting on the site and in the community of Airbnb travelers.
What is an Airbnb experience?
An Airbnb experience is based on the exchange with a person living year-round at the vacation spot of Airbnb travelers. With their knowledge of the locality and its close environment, the person offering an Airbnb Experience leads the traveler to discover and immerse themselves in a typical aspect of their vacation spot. Note that the experience often takes on a unique and almost “exclusive” character by opening doors to travelers that would otherwise have been closed to them.
The experiences you can offer take forms as varied as they are original: sport, crafts, culture, art, architecture, emblematic places, visits and discoveries of all kinds are on the program. Everyone is free to offer an experience on the Airbnb site. However, validation by Airbnb is not easy and is even subject to many criteria.
What are the criteria and requirements for Airbnb Experiences?
Airbnb unveils requirements for Experiences on a dedicated page of its Help Center. An experience must be based on three fundamental pillars:
- The experience: the creator of an experience must demonstrate real expertise in the proposed experience. Whatever the field of application, the person must be invested in it on a daily basis and have the elements (diplomas, activities, profession, various proofs) of his mastery of the theme addressed.
- Privileged access: The experience must offer privileged access to travelers, the scarcity of the experience being central. Thus, the Experience must not be able to be carried out by travelers during a traditional stay, at least not with the same intensity or the same involvement.
- The human aspect: This is also decisive. The creator of the experience must offer a real exchange and a real human connection with the travellers. The meeting is one of the pivots of the platform since its creation and must be found through experiences.
Moreover, in spirit, the experience must be concrete and clearly defined. No “We'll meet in the city center and decide together on the afternoon activities”, the program must be announced in advance and organized accordingly. However, some adjustment variables are allowed, as illustrated by the example of Airbnb: “We will visit galleries of emerging artists. Each afternoon, I will choose a different artist based on their popularity at the time. ". Since the main activity here remains essentially the same, this experience is valid.
The experiments can also be limited to certain categories depending on the subjects treated, so as not to offend the sensitivity of the youngest or of people who are particularly sensitive to a particular subject / environment. Many prohibitions also exist: mistreatment of animals, violation of intellectual property, local laws or restrictions, discrimination, border crossing. An Airbnb experience must get into the nails and ensure the safety of participants at all levels (physical, mental, legal, etc.).
Some experiences of successful Airbnb Experiences:
Make your Bordeaux cuvée:
on the program: tasting of local wines, creation of a personalized wine by blending, workshop to discover viticulture in Bordeaux .
Half-day yacht cruise in Cannes:
On the program: a day aboard a classic 1948 yacht in the bay of Cannes with multiple activities during the day. An activity which is located not far from our agency in Cannes.
Stroll between land and sea on the wild side in Arcachon:
On the program: walk between land and sea, alternating between the beach, a path that runs along desert beaches and the countryside, guided by a local expert, recommended by our Arcachon Concierge.
