Airbnb revamps its app to include experiences: you can now request everything from chefs to wrestling classes.

From Los Angeles, USA, Airbnb announced that it will no longer be just an app for finding accommodations in different cities around the world . It now offers personalized professional services and local experiences, all from a completely redesigned app.

The world's most recognized hosting platform has announced one of its most ambitious transformations since its inception in 2007.

“17 years ago, we changed the way people travel. Now, more than 2 billion guests later, Airbnb is synonymous with a place to stay,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO.

"With the launch of services and experiences, we're revolutionizing travel again. Airbnb is now much more than just Airbnb," he added.

Airbnb Services and Airbnb Experiences are focused on enriching travel and everyday life, with options ranging from a private chef dinner to professional wrestling classes and hair salons that you can enjoy without leaving your accommodation.

For the first time, the platform incorporates traditional hotel services into the world of shared accommodation. With the new feature, users can book massages, makeup sessions, personal training, professional photography, and more, directly during their stay.

The services are already available in 260 cities and cover 10 categories, ranging from spas, catering, and hair salons to cooking classes. Furthermore, many of the hosts are renowned professionals in their fields, such as Michelin-starred chefs or award-winning photographers. They will not yet be available in Latin America.

You don't need to book an Airbnb accommodation to enjoy these services; they can also be booked from home.

Additionally, Airbnb will have an experiences section, with more than 650 cities included in this first phase, including Colombia. The goal is for users to discover destinations through the eyes of those who really know them: the locals.

“Current travel options don't offer a true connection to the city you're visiting,” Chesky said. “The most authentic way to explore a city is with the locals who know it best. With Airbnb Experiences, you don't just see a place—experience it.”

From restoring Notre-Dame Cathedral alongside an architect on the reconstruction team to learning how to make ramen from an award-winning chef, Airbnb Experiences seek to connect travelers with the uniqueness and authenticity of a place.

Also new is Airbnb Originals, exclusive experiences featuring celebrities and global talent. Among the most notable are an anime session with rapper Megan Thee Stallion, a workout with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and a cooking day with chef Raphaelle Elbaz at a renowned Parisian bakery.

The user experience is also transformed with a completely redesigned app, allowing you to book accommodations, services, and experiences in a single, intuitive flow in just a few steps.

For those looking to generate income, the platform has opened registrations for new hosts in both the service and experience segments, inviting professionals and experts in their city to join.

Applications are now open for Airbnb Experiences hosts. If you know your city inside out and offer a unique activity not available anywhere else, submit an application to host at Airbnb.com/host/experiences.

With these announcements, Airbnb seeks to go beyond accommodation, aiming to become a comprehensive travel and lifestyle platform. Its new motto, implicit but powerful: it doesn't just take you to a place, it transforms the way you experience it.

Maria Alejandra Rodriguez - ADN Editor

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES