Airbnb has transformed travel and the travel experience. And this transformation has become a real challenge for many Hotels today.

Airbnb, one of the biggest successes of the sharing economy, is now drawing more traffic than any other hotel brand or metasearch site. In Q1 2017, Airbnb drew 106.9 million visits to its site, an increase of 31% from 2016 (source: eMarketer).

Airbnb stats

A quick look at the Airbnb business model

While Hotels focus their strategy on owning resources (ie. rooms) and maximizing their occupancy rates, Airbnb focuses on managing the marketplace.

Airbnb business model

Source: Business Model Toolbox

The joy is in the Community

The future of travel is not about looking ahead but within, and finding a way to connect travelers with the community.

Airbnb primary focus is to build a transparent community. Airbnb will provide cities with the information they need to make informed decisions about home sharing policies. While protecting our hosts’ and guests’ privacy, Airbnb will provide anonymized information regarding hosts and guests in our community to city officials to help inform the development of home-sharing policies.

Airbnb has a community forum for hosts to make sure that everyone has a place where they belong.

Airbnb and the Generation Experience

Research done by Airbnb shows that most Millennials would prioritize travel over buying a home or paying off debt. This highlights the importance Millennials place on travel, and how they are looking to build their adventures through unique experiences.

We know that millennial travelers bring at least three smart devices with them on their journey. They rely on technology during all stages of the decision process, including research and booking.

A benefit of this research is that they can find Airbnb discount codes.

Research has shown that 70% of travelers agree on a Hotel’s website, app and other digital tools impact their booking decision and 50% of Google Hotel ads come from smartphones this number is growing 2.4x per year!

hotels vs airbnb

It is important to understand that Millennials want to build their itineraries and create their adventures which are local and authentic.

Creating blue ocean hospitality

Airbnb has utilized blue ocean strategies to eliminate travel barriers. They reduced traditional in-room amenities that we are accustomed to at Hotels.

Their focus has been on the community, local and cultural tourism.

Blue Ocean Hospitality

Hotels should start model Airbnb strategies

Data show that currently people are more likely to choose Hotels for short-term stays and their preference is efficiency and service.

The longer the stay, the more conscientiousness around the price, the desire to be localized, the more leisure-oriented, the more likely they are to use Airbnb.

Chip Conley has described Airbnb as a bigger and newer digital version of Boutique Hotels.

Young people are “Airbnb native” in the same way they are “digital native”; for many in this group, staying in a chain hotel room is as foreign as talking on a landline, walking into a bank branch, or watching a television show at the actual time it airs.

Airbnb has educated an entire generation.

Hotels have an abundance of resources to start building their own communities, and then start educating them about their own alternatives. And it is also ok to look for new creative ways to collaborate with Airbnb.

The customer experience is what turns the consumer into loyal customers. Once Airbnb has sold the consumer one experience they keep providing them with similar alternative experiences.

hotels and airbnb

The Hotel Content Funnel – a dynamic process

I work on content strategies that support The Hotel Content Funnel. This is an ongoing dynamic process where data, information, and innovation will reach the relevant consumers for a given Hotel.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT AND FACEBOOK ADVERTISING FOR HOTELS

Facebook Native Advertising will help Hotels redefine the customer experience. Take advantage of new innovative strategies that will improve your Hotels ROI.

FREE access to our Hotel Social Media Community – Get more insights and training about Facebook Native Ads for Hotels!

Our Social Media Management team has refined these processes to help Hotels. Contact us today to learn more.

Join our Free Hotel Social Media Community on Facebook for more in-depth insight.

Try something new it will magnetize your Hotel!

Be flexible and identify new ways to make guests happy.

As guest behavior and pattern continues to evolve, expectations will continue to rise. Navigating these changes can be challenging. Learn more about how we can help your Hotel.

About the author

Are Morch is the founder and owner of Are Morch – Hotel Marketing Coach. Get more from Are on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Instagram| Podcast