Bangkok, Thailand — Travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about who you meet. But those connections often fade once the trip ends. That’s why Airbnb has introduced new social features for Airbnb Experiences, aiming to help travelers connect with other guests before, during, and after their trip.
With searches for winter travel on the rise, the company also announced several updates for guests and hosts ahead of the busy holiday season, including:
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Smarter search tools and improved maps
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A new Reserve Now, Pay Later payment option
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Expanded AI-powered customer support
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More flexible management tools for hosts
New Social Features for Airbnb Experiences
According to Airbnb, Experiences are designed to highlight both the activity and the people involved. The new features are set to make those connections even easier to maintain.
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Who’s going: Before booking, users can now see who else is joining an experience and where they’re from—something over 70% of surveyed travelers said they wanted.
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Direct messaging: Guests can now message people they met during an experience directly through the app, making it easier to stay in touch or plan future trips together.
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Connections in profile: A new section in users’ profiles will show everyone they’ve met during their Airbnb Experiences.
Users will still have full control over what information they share, with options to manage visibility and messaging preferences.
Smarter Search and Flexible Payments
Airbnb’s new smarter search tools make it easier to discover hidden gems:
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Flexible carousels show similar listings outside your set criteria, such as nearby homes or those with different amenities.
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Improved maps now highlight landmarks, restaurants, and attractions near your chosen stay, with distance summaries for quick reference.
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Reserve Now, Pay Later lets guests book eligible stays with zero upfront payment. Initially launched in the U.S., it will expand globally next year.
AI-Powered Customer Support
The company’s AI assistant now provides smarter, faster help across more regions.
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Available in English, Spanish, and French across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
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Offers personalized answers based on reservations or listings.
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Enables built-in actions, such as changing dates or canceling a booking, directly in the chat.
New Tools for Hosts
Hosts are also benefiting from several requested updates:
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Dynamic cancellation policies to tailor rules for peak or off-peak periods.
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Improved price tips with one-tap adoption for up to a year ahead.
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Updated earnings dashboard, launching next year, offering clearer insights into seasonal and year-over-year performance.
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