The Airbnb Advantage
Published on September 25, 2024, at 6:34 p.m.
By Braden Barksdale.
Hotels are not the only lodging option anymore. Companies like Airbnb and VRBO are giving hotels a run for their money. But what sets Airbnb apart from a trusted hotel?
About Airbnb
Airbnb was established in 2008 when two hosts Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia decided to rent out their San Francisco loft. Airbnb started out as Airbed and Breakfast. Co-founders Chesky and Gebbia decided to shorten the name in 2009 to reflect the expansion from renting rooms to whole houses.
Since then, the company has only grown. From Super Bowl commercials to international hosts, to the first official alternative accommodations provider of the 2016 Rio Games to a nine-year partnership with the International Olympics Committee and the launch of a Chinese brand, Airbnb has maintained pertinence since its founding.
What has guests choosing Airbnb over hotels?
Space
Airbnb uses the problems that arise from hotel stays to market its company. Think of any complication you have experienced while staying at a hotel. For my family of five, it was the space.
Airbnb has capitalized on this problem with its campaign “Somewhere in a Hotel.” In one commercial, Airbnb showcases four girls trying to get ready for a girls’ night out. The girls struggle to all get ready in one bathroom. Then the hotel turns into a house where the girls each have their own bathroom. Airbnb recognizes what a consumer wants and capitalizes on that insight.
Privacy
Another issue that arises from hotel stays is the lack of privacy. When vacation time rolls around, guests want to escape from the everyday bustle of people. In a hotel, guests are not granted that isolation.
From the same campaign mentioned earlier, Airbnb exhibits friends trying to enjoy the hotel pool. Instead, children create a splash, and the friends are not able to enjoy their quiet pool time. The advertisement changes from a hotel pool to a house with a private pool. The ad ends with “Some trips are better in an Airbnb,” turning a problem into an opportunity.
Satisfaction rates
According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Airbnb has an index of 78 for 2024. This is the first year Airbnb has been evaluated. The company sits in third behind Hilton at 81 and Marriott at 79. These numbers indicate the growth Airbnb has experienced in recent years.
“2023 was another incredible year for Airbnb. Our Host community surpassed 5 million for the first time, we delivered nearly 200 new upgrades to our core service, and we ended the year with our highest-ever number of global active listings,” said Chesky in a news release.
Lasting impact
Not only is Airbnb competing with hotels, but the company is also making a name for itself in the realm of social responsibility. One of the values of Airbnb is “we are united with our community to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere.” The company is putting its words into action.
For example, during Hurricane Sandy, Airbnb partnered with New York City to provide housing for displaced residents. During the pandemic, Frontline Stays was launched to safely house medical workers and first responders. Airbnb even has a website dedicated to helping those in need by offering places to stay. Its mission is to unlock the power of sharing space, resources and support in times of need.
Where will you choose to lay your head during your next vacation?
