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Airbnb has begun a pilot program in which the peer-to-peer accommodations service will certify larger residences with more amenities in an effort to lure new, higher-end guests, according to a source familiar with the process.
The homes will be inspected by Airbnb representatives. They will be marketed separately from other listings and highlighted as passing such inspections, the source said. Closely held Airbnb is expected to fully roll out the premium-listing program by the end of the year.
An Airbnb representative declined to comment on the project.
With the program, Airbnb is looking to lure wealthier business, leisure and family travelers who favor high-end hotels and resorts because of their standardized amenities, and have been reluctant to try the service for fear of a substandard experience.
The program appears to be a nod to Onefinestay, the U.K.-based company founded in 2010. Onefinestay, like Airbnb, rents out residences but has tried to differentiate itself from Airbnb via what it calls a “turnkey” experience, including providing high-end linens, towels and toiletries for guests as well as answering on-site guest requests.
AccorHotels acquired Onefinestay in April 2016 for about $169 million.
Sоurсе: travelweekly.com
