Since Experiences-originally called Airbnb Trips-launched in 2016, the platform has grown rapidly, from 500 Experiences in 12 destinations in 2017 to more than 40,000 activities in roughly 1,000 cities today. Beyond housing-perhaps with less controversyĬhesky believes Animal Experiences can further cement Airbnb’s status as a provider of not just accommodations, but things to do. Airbnb also says that each Experience is guided by vetted animal experts. Alesia Soltanpanah, executive director of WAP, told Fortune that the guidelines were “probably the most progressive animal policy for a travel company that we’ve seen yet.” The policy prohibits direct contact with wild animals, using them as selfie props or for entertainment performances, or overworking domesticated animals, among other measures.

The company says that each of the 1,000 Animal Experiences available starting today adheres to animal welfare guidelines developed in collaboration with World Animal Protection, an international nonprofit headquartered in London. “There are only so many zoos, and zoos are obviously a different kind of experience than what we’re offering.” “It is a very large addressable market, there’s very few people that are uninterested in animals,” Chesky said. It also helps that wildlife tourism is a $120 billion industry, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Animals is Airbnb’s second category, following the launch back in June of Airbnb Adventures-multi-day trips that include meals, lodging, and guided activities.Ĭhesky told Fortune that the company opted for Animals next after seeing high, organic interest in animal-related activities on the original Experiences platform. The Animal Experiences marketplace is part of Airbnb’s goal to organize its 40,000-plus Experiences into distinct categories with different branding and “quality considerations,” Chesky said. Chesky and Airbnb are hoping Experiences can help the company increase its profit margins and boost enthusiasm for the brand, as its core vacation-rental business matures and continues to face regulatory hurdles.

Airbnb animal experiences