Mike FriedmanI don’t think that it would be an overstatement to say that Airbnb has been one of the most important travel innovations this decade. By providing inexpensive and convenient alternatives to hotels, it has opened up travel to a lot of people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to do so. I haven’t stayed at one yet, but this next step (Airbnb Adventures – Travel Journeys) in the story might be enough to convince me to do so.
Hosted journeys to extraordinary places
—all you have to do is show up.
Airbnb Adventures
One of our first posts in the blog was about Vacation with an Artist, which emphasizes two important trends that we are seeing: authenticity and experiences.
That post was tailored toward those who wanted a more artsy experience, but Airbnb has taken the travel journeys concept and expanded it, focusing on authenticity. Airbnb Adventures will allow you to have just about any type of experience that you like but, instead of a random tour company leading it, you’ll be hitting the trails with a local. Want to visit the Wild West? Check out this tour of an abandoned silver mine, led by the sole resident of the town. Want something a bit more exciting? You can head around the world in 80 days.
What I Like – Travel Journeys
- A specialty tour should be led by a local to maximize the experience, rather than whomever a big company assigns that day. With Airbnb Adventures, you’ll know who is leading your tour and their qualifications. This won’t be cookie cutter.
- Many of the guides are focused as much on maintaining the site as they are on making money. Not only will you get an authentic experience but you’ll be part of preserving it.
- Everything’s included. They’ll take care of accommodations, meals, gear, etc. I won’t get there and realize that I forgot my lasso or dinosaur saddle.
- Prices seem more than fair. That’s what you get when you the tour leader doesn’t have to give half the payment to the third party that arranged it. Airbnb seems a bit more reasonable.
What’s Still To Be Seen…
- It’s new, meaning that there aren’t a ton of reviews and probably still some hiccups in the system. There’s something to be said for a company that has been doing the same thing for decades.
So What Now?
Despite how new Adventures is, I’m tempted by a few of them. And while Airbnb is thought of as a budget option, it’s clear that some of these travel journeys include a taste of luxury along with the adventure. That’s the kind of experience that I like.
Sign Up For Airbnb Today
