The Airbnb experience has changed the way people travel. These unique activities, available in over 650 cities and 19 categories, offer travelers authentic ways to explore destinations beyond typical tourist spots.
Launched in 2016, the platform connects guests with local experts for everything from cooking classes and historical tours to yoga, wine tastings, and creative workshops. Even locals can book experiences in their own city, strengthening community ties and bringing fresh perspectives to familiar places.
In this guide, we’ll cover how Airbnb Experiences work, what it takes to host one, trending activities, and the key benefits and challenges of joining the platform — with a closer look at what makes London’s experiences stand out.
Table of Contents
What are Airbnb Experiences and How Do They Work?
Airbnb went beyond room rentals and launched Airbnb Experiences in 2016. The platform grew by a lot and now spans over 650 cities worldwide across 19 different categories.
Definition and purpose of Airbnb Experiences
Airbnb Experiences are unique activities led by experience hosts who share their passions, skills, and insider knowledge with travelers. These range from cooking classes and walking tours to art workshops and outdoor adventures. Travelers get to connect with knowledgeable local experts and create meaningful cultural exchanges.
These experiences are built on three main pillars: expertise, insider access, and connection. Hosts need to show their knowledge through formal training, education, or relevant background. The activities should showcase what makes a city special and help visitors connect with local culture, cuisine, or people.
How they differ from traditional tours
Experiences on Airbnb stand out from regular tourist activities by focusing on smaller groups and real connections instead of scripted tours. While traditional tours follow set routes with large groups, Airbnb Experiences keep groups to 10 people maximum. This group size creates a more personal atmosphere.
The authenticity makes these experiences special. Travelers get access to places and activities they couldn’t find on their own. To cite an instance, see how instead of a regular cooking class, you might learn family recipes in someone’s actual home kitchen.
Airbnb Experiences vs Airbnb Services
While both Airbnb Experiences and Airbnb Services allow hosts to offer activities, they serve very different purposes. Experiences focus on authentic, interactive connections, while Services provide practical help or support.
| Aspect | Airbnb Experiences | Airbnb Services |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Cultural exchange, learning, and connection | Practical or functional assistance |
| Host Role | Shares expertise, passion, or insider access | Performs a specific task or service |
| Guest Interaction | Highly interactive and personal | Limited interaction, mostly transactional |
| Requirements | Proof of skills, experience, or knowledge | No expertise or storytelling required |
| Examples | Cooking classes, tours, art workshops | Cleaning, transport, equipment rental |
| Licensing Needs | May need permits for food, alcohol, or transport | May need basic business license |
| Connection Level | Builds local and cultural connections | Focuses on convenience and efficiency |
| Property Ownership | Not required to host | Not required to host |
How to Become an Airbnb Experiences Host
Starting a profitable side hustle with Airbnb experiences hosting is possible when you meet certain host criteria and know the right steps. Let’s look at what you just need to get started.
Application and approval process
You’ll need an Airbnb account before submitting your experience listing. The Airbnb team reviews each listing to get a full picture of what you’re offering. Reviews usually take several weeks, and you might wait longer or end up on a waiting list in popular areas. The team might ask you to make changes or provide more documents before giving final approval.
Do you need to own a property?
Unlike traditional short let hosting, you don’t need property to host Experiences – that’s one of its best features. Anyone who knows their field well can create and host an experience without having overnight guests. This makes it a great chance for people with specific skills or local knowledge to earn extra income.
What to include in your listing
Your experience listing must catch people’s attention and give them all the reservation details. Here’s what your experience page should have:
- A catchy title that clearly shows what you do
- Details about what participants can expect
- Your background and expertise
- Clear meeting location details
- When it starts and how long it takes
- Five to seven great photos that show off your experience
- Fair prices that factor in Airbnb’s service fees
Note that guests respond better to specific, authentic descriptions rather than vague promises. Show them exactly why your experience stands out and deserves their time.
Verification and safety requirements
Airbnb needs these things before your listing goes live:
- Complete identity verification
- Valid licenses or certifications for specific activities
- Proper insurance coverage (Airbnb gives liability insurance up to £790,000 but you need your own coverage too)
- Proof of expertise (usually two years of experience)
- Background checks for certain types of experiences
Safety comes first – you must keep your environment safe, maintain your equipment properly, and have clear safety guidelines ready for emergencies throughout every experience.
What Types of Experiences Can You Offer?
Experiences on Airbnb let hosts showcase their unique skills and local knowledge through activities like exotic cooking classes and immersive walking tours. Let’s take a closer look at what you can offer on the platform.
Popular categories: food, art, wellness, and more
Several key categories stand out among the most successful Airbnb Experiences:
- Food & Drink: Cooking classes, food tours, wine tastings, and unique dining experiences top the list of popular offerings.
- Art & Culture: Creative travelers love photography workshops, painting classes, and pottery sessions.
- Wellness: Yoga retreats, meditation with horses, forest bathing, and herbal workshops have gained much attention lately.
- Tours & Sightseeing: Historical walks, neighborhood explorations, and specialty tours like hidden pub crawls remain popular.
Examples of trending experiences
London’s trending experiences include guided tours of Karl Marx’s London, thrift clothing upcycling workshops in Shoreditch, and photography walks that teach visual storytelling. Food-focused activities are booming too – guests can explore Notting Hill with food podcasters or learn butchery from head chefs. The UK has also seen a surge in wellness sessions like forest bathing and meditation with animals.
What is not allowed on the platform
Airbnb strictly prohibits these categories of experiences:
- Any illegal activities
- Drug-related activities (whatever the local laws say)
- Activities that exploit vulnerable populations (children, animals)
- Pornography or sexual services
- Activities with commercial sex work
- Certain high-risk outdoor adventures
- Political campaign activities
- Medical procedures or healthcare services
Special restrictions and compliance
Some activities face specific restrictions beyond the outright bans. Adult-themed content or nudity needs clear disclosure in listings and must happen in public or commercial spaces. Hosts must get proper licensing to offer activities with alcohol, food preparation, or transportation. Many experiences also require proof of certifications, insurance, and proper credentials before approval. Age requirements may also apply for certain activities.
Pros and Cons of Hosting Airbnb Experiences
Success as an Airbnb Experiences host depends on several factors you need to consider carefully.
Benefits: flexibility, income, global reach
The platform lets you set your own schedule—you choose when and how often to run activities. This works great for people with other commitments or those who want to earn from their existing skills. The best part? You get access to Airbnb’s huge global audience that has served over 800 million guests worldwide.
Money isn’t everything though. Hosts build real connections with travelers from all over. A New York host puts it well: “Offering photography walks around the city has not just been profitable, but deeply rewarding. I’ve met incredible people and shared in their trips”.
Challenges: commission fees, competition, guest expectations
The platform takes a hefty 20% service fee from each booking. You’ll need to run your experience even if just one person books a spot meant for a bigger group. Effective booking management and calendar sync are crucial for success.
Airbnb keeps its standards high and reviews experiences regularly. Bad guest feedback can hurt your visibility on the platform and affect future bookings by a lot. Maintaining a professional reputation is key.
These hurdles haven’t stopped many hosts. They feel the platform’s exposure, insurance coverage, and marketing support are worth the service fees.
Key Takeaways
The Airbnb experience offers a unique opportunity to monetize your skills and connect with travelers from around the world without needing to own property.
- Anyone can become a host: You don’t need property ownership—just expertise, passion, and the ability to create authentic local experiences for travelers.
- Expect a 20% commission fee: Airbnb takes 20% of each booking as service fees, so factor this into your pricing strategies when calculating potential earnings.
- Focus on small groups and authenticity: Successful experiences limit group size to 10 people maximum and emphasize genuine cultural exchange over scripted tours.
- Quality standards are strict: Airbnb manually reviews all submissions and maintains high expectations—negative guest feedback can significantly impact your visibility and bookings.
- Popular categories drive success: Food & drink, art & culture, wellness sessions, and unique tours consistently perform well across the platform’s 650+ cities worldwide.
The platform bridges the gap between curious travelers seeking authentic experiences and local experts wanting to share their expertise, creating meaningful cultural connections that go far beyond traditional tourism.
FAQs
What is an Airbnb Experience?
An Airbnb Experience is an activity hosted by a local expert, such as a tour, class, or workshop, designed to give guests an authentic connection to a destination.
How much does Airbnb charge hosts for Experiences?
Airbnb takes a 20% service fee from each booking. This covers platform use, marketing, and insurance.
Do I need to own a property to host an Airbnb Experience?
No, property ownership isn’t required. Anyone with expertise or a unique skill can host experiences, as long as they meet Airbnb’s standards.
What are the most popular Airbnb Experience categories?
Food & drink, art & culture, wellness, and outdoor activities remain the most booked categories worldwide.
Is Airbnb insurance included for hosts?
Yes, hosts automatically receive Airbnb’s liability insurance coverage (up to about £790,000), but extra personal insurance is recommended.
