Airbnb's CEO is planning for a travel-ution — and it’s all about flexibility (and yurts)

Welcome to workationland... Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky predicts a revolution: a travel revolution. At a conference this week, Chesky said he expects the industry to bounce back bigger than ever. Chesky believes a “travel revolution” will usher in a new golden age of travel, that’s more free-style than pre-pandemic travel. What he expects:

• Long stays: 50% of Airbnb stays are a week or more, and 20% exceed a month.
• Loose plans: 40% of travelers don’t initially have a destination or date in mind when they visit Airbnb’s site.
• Rural > urban: Rental occupancy in large US cities fell 11% this year from pre-pandemic levels, but increased 27% in rural areas.

You say you want a travel-ution… Airbnb is a comeback story of the corona-conomy. The rental icon lost 80% of its business when the pandemic hit. But it quickly embraced the work-from-home life and catered to changing travel trends. Since then, sales have rebounded to exceed pre-pandemic levels. How Airbnb’s ushering in the travel-ution:

• “I’m Flexible” options let travelers go anywhere, anytime. Handy, since 70% of US companies will continue offering flexible and remote work.
• Unique stays like boat houses, yurts, caves, and even shipping containers cater to adventure-hungry, couch-tired remote workers (#edgy).
• Off-the-beaten-track options in rural allow travelers to stay socially distanced as part of Airbnb’s “Greatest Outdoors” campaign.
• Online experiences, like a Mezcal & Tequila Cocktail Masterclass, give travelers Covid-safe options.