- May 2, 2024
- AI in Business
Airbnb’s latest summer announcement was a bit more subdued than in years past, focusing on a select number of updates, mostly aimed at improving the experience for groups, and introducing an exclusive segment called “Icons”, highlighting unique events hosted by famous people from the worlds of music, film, television, sports.
A key feature available to all users this season is the ability to manage group bookings more efficiently. This includes the ability to create shared wish lists and send out detailed travel invitations to potential group members. Now it’s easy to invite friends or family to join your wish list using phone contacts or a shared link. Group members can now add properties to the general listing, comment on specific listings, or vote to help select the final booking. After the main organizer has reserved accommodation, he needs to re-invite his companions for the actual trip by sending a digital postcard that includes important details such as accommodation location, check-in procedures, and Wi-Fi access information.
Another interesting feature is the introduction of a dedicated messaging tab that ensures seamless communication between all traveling party members and the host. This includes the ability for hosts to use AI-generated answers to answer common queries, such as providing a checkout guide.
Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb’s co-founder and chief strategy officer, noted that the development of group-oriented functionality came from the realization that more than 80% of bookings on the platform involve more than one traveler, which often requires significant coordination among group members.
In addition to group-focused improvements, Airbnb introduced a new dashboard aimed at giving hosts deeper insight into their earnings, as well as an Icons segment. This unique category showcases a variety of extraordinary experiences, including stays at iconic locations such as the X-Men Mansion, and the Ferrari Museum, visits to Prince’s Purple Rain House, and intimate performances by Doja Cat. These limited-time offers are expected to attract around 4,000 participants across 11 different experiences.
In terms of technological innovation, Airbnb is exploring the possibility of using generative artificial intelligence to improve the quality of services, particularly in terms of customer support. Last year, Airbnb revealed it was experimenting with artificial intelligence to compress reviews for easier generalization, though details of its AI initiatives remain under wraps. However, the acquisition of GamePlanner, a company founded by Siri’s co-founder, shows Airbnb’s interest in using AI to improve customer experience, potentially paving the way for a future AI-powered concierge service on the platform.
