New Airbnb Who Dis

If you thought Airbnb was just about snagging a cool place to crash, think again. On May 13, the travel giant announced a bold new chapter in its journey—one that takes it far beyond cozy couches, scenic apartments, and quirky treehouses. Airbnb is officially stepping into its travel glow-up era, reintroducing itself not just as a booking platform but as a full-on lifestyle brand for modern explorers.

With a fresh app redesign, sleek new services, and an expanded lineup of curated local experiences, Airbnb now offers everything from spa days and private chefs to anthropologist-led neighborhood tours and ramen-making workshops. It’s not just about where you stay anymore. It’s about how you immerse yourself, what you discover, and the memories you take home. Welcome to the new Airbnb, where your next adventure starts the moment you start scrolling.

Hotel Vibes, But Make It Airbnb

Forget the old idea that Airbnb only means finding a funky rental. The company just rolled out a fresh suite of services designed to give traditional hotels a run for their money. Imagine booking a stay where you can also get a professional blowout, a relaxing massage, a photoshoot to capture your travel glow-up, or even a personal chef whipping up delicious meals on-site. But there’s the twist.

These services come with Airbnb’s signature local flavor and personalization. You’re not just getting generic hotel treatments; you’re tapping into a curated network of local experts and creatives who bring authenticity and charm to every experience. Want your hair done by a stylist who knows the city’s hottest trends? Or maybe you’d rather have a food-loving chef create a menu inspired by the local culture? Airbnb Services aims to blend luxury and local culture in a way that feels personal, unique, and utterly “Instagram-mable.”

This is Airbnb’s way of saying, “Hotels, we see you—but we’re bringing something fresher, more connected, and tailored just for you.” It’s a seamless blend of comfort, convenience, and culture that elevates every stay from a simple trip to a full-on experience.

Experiences That Go Beyond the Tourist Trail

The real star of this transformation? The newly revamped Airbnb Experiences. This is where travelers leave behind the cookie-cutter tours and step into authentic, immersive adventures curated by locals who know their communities inside and out. Whether it’s learning to craft perfect ramen alongside a master chef or wandering through hidden neighborhoods guided by an anthropologist who reveals the stories and secrets that don’t make it into the guidebooks—Airbnb Experiences turn travel into something deeply personal and unforgettable.

This isn’t about ticking off tourist hotspots; it’s about discovering the heartbeat of a place through real connections and unique activities. Every experience is designed to create lasting memories and open doors to unexpected discoveries, making you feel less like a visitor and more like a welcomed guest in the community. To capture this spirit, Airbnb launched The Grand Adventure, a visually stunning 60-second animated ad that takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through the golden age of travel.

From the romance of carriage rides and the thrill of steam locomotives to the grandeur of ocean liners, the ad contrasts these epic, adventurous eras with today’s travel culture, which often feels more like a rushed checklist than an exploration. The message is clear and inspiring: it’s time to reclaim the joy and wonder of travel, and Airbnb Experiences are the gateway to this new way of exploring the world. This campaign invites travelers to embrace spontaneity, curiosity, and the thrill of truly connecting with the places they visit, leaving behind the mundane and stepping into a world full of wonder.

Photo Credit: AirBnb

Swipe, Watch, Book

Here’s where things get smart. Airbnb’s marketing strategy is firmly planted where travelers already scroll for inspiration: social media. Instagram Reels, TikTok feeds, and YouTube Shorts host a steady stream of snappy, hyper‑localized videos that spotlight Experiences in hotspots like Tokyo, Paris, Mexico City, Miami, and Lisbon. Each 15 to 30‑second clip drops viewers straight into the action, whether that action is foraging for truffles in Tuscany or day‑sailing along the Río de la Plata.

These aren’t just pretty travel videos; they’re engineered conversion machines. Every post features bold on‑screen copy and a tappable “Book Now” sticker that deep‑links to the exact listing, bypassing the usual search rabbit hole and shortening the booking funnel to mere seconds. Airbnb’s algorithmic targeting layers in traveler data—past searches, saved wish lists, even seasonal trends—to surface the right experience to the right person at the right moment, turning casual doom‑scrolling into real itineraries.

The campaign also taps creator partnerships and user‑generated content to build trust. Local hosts film behind‑the‑scenes snippets, while travel influencers stitch reactions, adding authenticity and social proof that polished brand ads can’t match. Strategic hashtags like #AirbnbExperiences and geo‑tags for each city boost discoverability, keeping the content in circulation long after its first drop.

By melding bite‑sized storytelling, frictionless CTAs, and data‑driven targeting, Airbnb transforms social feeds into a living catalog of adventures. Planning your next trip stops feeling like work and starts feeling like an impulsive, can’t‑miss opportunity that’s always just one swipe away.

Photo Credit: Airbnb

VIP Vibes and Star-Studded Stays

And because what’s a travel upgrade without a little star power? Airbnb Originals are shaking things up with exclusive experiences hosted by the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Patrick Mahomes, and Sabrina Carpenter. Whether it’s getting the inside scoop on iconic movie sets or chilling with a celeb in a famous locale, these experiences add an extra sparkle of exclusivity and excitement. These aren’t your typical celebrity meet-and-greets, either.

Airbnb Originals promise immersive, once-in-a-lifetime moments where you get to dive deep into the worlds these stars inhabit. Picture cooking alongside a Grammy-winning artist, learning tricks of the trade from a sports superstar, or touring legendary film locations with exclusive behind-the-scenes stories. It’s like having VIP access to the coolest corners of pop culture without the velvet ropes. By tying these experiences to well-loved franchises and iconic IPs, Airbnb is making pop culture a vibrant, interactive part of travel. It’s a smart move that blends fandom and adventure, letting travelers step right into stories they’ve only dreamed of.

Airbnb 2.0 The Future of Travel Starts Here

Hiroki Asai, Airbnb’s global head of marketing, sums it up perfectly: this is “Airbnb more than an Airbnb.” The platform is no longer just a place to lay your head. It’s becoming the ultimate portal to authentic, curated travel adventures, services, and who knows what else is next. So next time you’re planning a getaway, don’t just think about where you’ll sleep. Think about how you’ll experience the place, live the culture, and tell a story that’s all yours. With Airbnb’s new evolution, your next unforgettable journey is just a click away.