Airbnb Guides
About Airbnb Founded in August of 2008 and based in San Francisco, California, Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world — online or from a mobile phone or tablet. Whether an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and 191 countries. And with world-class customer service and a growing community of users, Airbnb is the easiest way for people to monetize their extra space and showcase it to an audience of millions.
User Roles Traditionally, Airbnb has been made up of two user roles: guests and hosts. Hosts open their opens to guests who wish to experience what it’s like to really be in the location they are visiting. Through the exchange of currency for occupancy of the residence, guests have often relayed on hosts for information about the area they are hoping to experience. However, a new facet of the Airbnb infrastructure could soon change how the guests explore new environments and who they have by their side.
Introducing
Airbnb Guides
As users seeks to gain a more involved experience with the culture, residents and real life that takes place where they are visiting, Airbnb meets the need with new Airbnb Guides. Guides are specialized Airbnb users who are certified in areas of their particular locations including arts, culture, nightlife and more. These Airbnb registered users can be booked at a location just like a host. Correspondence takes places before arrival in order to plan tour venues from start to finish including details for all fees, transportation and meals.
Unique Experiences There are hidden gems in every location that might go unnoticed by those who do not frequent the area often. Guides can assist in this. Simply let your Guide know your interests, hobbies and curiosities. He or she will arrange a trip you will never forget. Such as a trip to a local vineyard that is nestled between mountains yet just off the normally traveled path.
The First Meeting First seeing your Guide in person will not be your first meeting. Prior to your trip, you and your Guide will have many conversations about what you’d like to see and do on your visit. Meeting your Guide in person for the first time should feel more like reuniting with an old friend. Someone who knows you, understands why you’re visiting and wants to make your visit as thrilling as possible.
Unique Memories No one looks back on an adventure and thinks, “look at those amazing things I did alone!� Having a Guide give you the ability to create memories you can share for years to come. Those you know from around the world could turn out to be lifelong friends or vivid characters in a story you tell while recounting old photographs.
Tailoring Your Experience Above all, your trip is meant to fulfill your dream experience. Your Guide is there to assist you in that. With different areas offering endless options, Guide help you truly live the experience you are hoping to when visiting somewhere new or looking for a new side to an old favorite destination.
Airbnb Guides Facts Sheet How Guests pay
Airbnb is built on trust
Airbnb handles all of the payments—you never have to deal directly with money. Guests get charged before they arrive.
Both guests, hosts and guides have a profile with a picture. After a trip, everyone gets a chance to write a review.
How Guides get paid
Much more than money
Some of the ways Guides can choose to get paid include Paypal, direct deposit, and international money wire. Your payment is automatically sent 24 hours after your guest checks in. Easy.
Besides the extra income, hosts join a supportive worldwide community. There are always opportunities to learn from Airbnb and other guides.
Earnings and fees
What’s in a listing?
Listing your space on Airbnb is free. Airbnb takes a 3% host service fee on each reservation.
You’ll fill out a description, take and upload photos, and pick a price. Your listing helps guests get a sense of areas of expertise.
What to charge
Who can book?
What you charge is up to you. After you sign up, you’ll get access to tools to set a price that factors in travel trends and prices for similar places.
You set the rules for who can request tours and when. Booking and guest preferences help hosting fit into your lifestyle.
Message your guests
Plan your meet up
Messaging online and via the app helps you get to know guests and answer any questions. We encourage Guides to arrange itineraries for tours including venues, fees and transportation beforehand to get a genuine sense of the Guests interests and expectations.
Some Guides meet Guests at their hosts homes. Other meet at their first venue spot. You choose what works for you and your Guest.