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Airbnb and Booking.com are rethinking the future of travel. Airbnb is turning into a lifestyle platform, while Booking.com is using AI to better understand travellers’ needs.
Airbnb’s chief talks about the company’s new redesign and its ambition to offer far more than just travel.
Booking.com’s AI trip planner now has an expanded scope.
Airbnb and Booking.com are two of the most widely used Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). Both offer similar services, but they serve different types of guests and hosts, and they have different business strategies.
Airbnb builds its brand around a unique experience and a personal connection between host and guest.
Booking.com, on the other hand, optimises the process for more bookings and greater automation.
“Airbnb lets me build a brand and create a connection with my guests.”
— Sofia, host in Lisbon
“Booking.com brings me higher occupancy and it’s less work. Perfect when you manage more than 10 properties.”
— Ben, property manager in Berlin| Airbnb | Booking | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal communication with guests | ||
| Hosts can review guests | ||
| Fast, accessible host support | ||
| No constant guest communication required | ||
| Last-minute bookings | ||
| Fees paid by both hosts and guests | ||
| Dynamic pricing | ||
| Automated bookings | ||
| Pricing advice | ||
| Add-on services linked to local experiences | ||
| Bundled travel packages and tools for operational convenience at check-in | ||
| Intuitive, easy-to-use platform interface | ||
| Centralised platform for hosts and guests | ||
| Integration with external systems | ||
| Suitable platform for hotels and properties with a reception | ||
| Support for promotions, discounts and coupons |
Many successful hosts use both platforms. Airbnb offers a better experience and brand building, while Booking.com fills the calendar. If you manage more than one property, a combined approach plus property management software (PMS) will give you the best results.
