Airbnb plants itself firmly into the corporate travel space
Airbnb for Work has rolled out a new strategic direction to bring the best of Airbnb to the professional world, and help foster a sense of belonging – even at work.
The home sharing company is expanding into three new areas to help companies attract, retain, and motivate talent: Experiences on Airbnb for team-building, Airbnb Homes for offsites and meetings, and new options for people relocating for work.
“We know there are unique attributes Airbnb can offer Australian and New Zealand companies to help them attract and retain talent,” said David Holyoke, Global Head of Airbnb for Work.
“With the costs of replacing an employee estimated to be about 3X their salary, it’s more important than ever for companies to ensure employees are engaged and motivated at work.
“A relaxing environment helps people open up to connect; a productive environment helps people achieve their shared goal more effectively; while helping people experience something new together helps teams bond and form meaningful connections.”
Team building — there’s more to it than trust falls
When people show vulnerability to each other and participate in activities together, they connect on a deeper level than when simply going out for drinks.
And, what’s good for people is good for businesses. According to Korn Ferry, companies with engaged employees make 2.5X the revenue and are 87 per cent more likely to retain their employees, with team building being one of the most effective ways to foster engagement within a company.
Unorthodox perks are an essential way to attract, retain and motivate top talent. Experiences, not cash, are the new corporate bonus.
In today’s hyper-competitive talent environment, once you’ve recruited great employees, you want to keep them. Journeys of self-fulfilment and discovery can produce the kind of creative sparks and life-clarifying moments that seldom come when staring dead-eyed at another PowerPoint.
Airbnb group Experiences — from sailing lessons to pastry-making classes with a Michelin chef — help teams bond and form meaningful connections.
These newly-featured Experiences for professionals introduce a better way for teams to bond, and are currently available in more than 800 markets around the world, including Australia and New Zealand, and available in a number of categories, including wellness, team-building, and social impact.
Airbnb homes for offsites and meetings
Providing individuals and teams with the freedom they need to grow and collaborate is top of mind for many companies. Our Evolution of Work study found that 65 per cent of Australian employees believe flexible work and the ability to work from home or co-working space when they want, or need to makes an employer more appealing to work for.
An overwhelming 81 per cent of Australians would like to work remotely, while 40 per cent are already doing it at least once a week.
The spaces where people spend time away from the office make a big difference. Sterile conference rooms aren’t motivating and don’t foster creativity.
However, relaxing and productive environments help people open up to connect and contribute; they help teams achieve their shared goals more effectively.
Knowing this, Airbnb for Work is now showcasing homes where teams can create and collaborate. These are homes where hosts indicate their unique spaces are suitable for events, and many have work-friendly amenities like wifi, self-check-in, etc.
We’ve already seen our community organically use Airbnbs for work offsites, and it’s clear companies could benefit from environments that can be catalysts for belonging and personal connection.
A new way to relocate for work
Today’s workforce is global and on the move. According to BDO, nearly 20 per cent of employees around the world are eager to relocate.
We can all agree moving is stressful – friendships are tested, a partner’s career may be disrupted, and in a new place hardly anything can feel familiar.
Acclimating to a new community can be one of the most challenging parts of a move. So much so that according to a Right Management survey, more than 40 per cent of international assignments are judged to be failures by senior executives, with cultural adjustment issues being a top reason.
We also know most people want to test out neighbourhoods or be near new schools for their children (since 35 per cent of corporate moves involve children). People want to feel grounded the instant they move to a new place.
So, we’re expanding our work in relocations to help more professionals instantly feel like they belong in their new communities.
Imagine starting your first job out of college while living in a spacious modern condo in a trendy area, moving with your family into a spacious ranch home with a backyard in the perfect school district, or beginning a new chapter of your life by living in a Victorian classic near the office.
Finding a temporary home that actually feels like a home (access to a kitchen, washer/dryer, etc.) provides a much-needed sense of familiarity that can help people cope with the chaos of a relocation.
Airbnb for Work – now more than just business travel
Offering unique ways to travel for work will remain core to Airbnb for Work, but we estimate only 25 per cent of employees within a company travel for work. With Airbnb for Work’s new expansion into team-building experiences, homes for offsites and meetings, and relocations, we now have an opportunity to bring the magic of Airbnb to the rest of the workforce.
We’re looking forward to expanding our Airbnb professional community by continuing to improve the ways professionals collaborate, create and grow – from single freelancers to companies with 100,000+ employees.
Latest News
Two thirds of Australians support introduction of tourism tax, survey reveals
Can you guess which generation was the most outraged at the news? Hint: It is exactly who you think!
“The consumer really just wanted more classic reward availability” – customers underwhelmed by Qantas FF shakeup
All this consumer wants is to sit behind someone that doesn't push their seat back to near-horizontal levels.
Aussie travellers warned of ‘significant’ visa shifts in destinations including Chile, US and Vietnam
To be honest are biggest advice for having a layover in the US, is just don't.
Profile: Delta CEO Ed Bastian
Bastian says the airline business isn't for the faint hearted. We're sure Alan Joyce would agree!
Final Call: Travel DAZE Exec early birds are about to expire
Much like the auctioneer at the hottest sale of the year, we're giving you one more chance to jump at this deal!
Forget the weekend! Experience Gold Coast launches mid-week travel campaign
Your boss might be a bit bothered if you jet off mid-week, but you'll be the envy of all of your Instagram followers.
Victorian Tourism Industry Council warns of losing tourism dollars to NSW & QLD
Trendy cafe's hidden in CBD laneways can only get so many tourism dollars, clearly!
AIME 2024 rustles up $330m for APAC economy
This figure is a 65 per cent increase on 2023, much alike The Nibbler staff's alcohol consumption.
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Star boss resigns, admits retaining NSW casino licence unlikely under his leadership
The CEO resigned after 18 months in the role. 'Another one bites the dust' rumoured to be heard playing in Pyrmont.
Corporate Traveller swings amateur golfers around the globe for World Golf Competition
How're your golf skills? Consider yourself a Tiger Woods or often get quadruple bogeys? We take after the latter.
Corporate travellers to spend big on Melbourne F1 despite financial pressures
Part of the attraction is sick days after the event as corporate travellers suffer creaked necks and blown eardrums.
Bonza officially kicks off Gold Coast-Darwin route
The Flying Purple Thumb is back at it with another route. We swear, we're going to make this nickname stick!
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.
Boeing’s woes delay massive Virgin Australia order
This delay means Virgin staffers will be without that new plane smell, inspiring us to sell it in a can.
All the winners from the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Somehow missed this news recently? Good thing you're subscribed to our fabulous newsletter!
Corporate international travel from Brisbane up 30% YOY: Flight Centre
Queenslanders seem keen to go somewhere that actually serves good beer! Sorry, we actually like Great Northern.
Amora Brisbane undergoes $30m remodelling, geared up for MICE offerings
When $30m goes into an amazing hotel to get it geared up for MICE offerings, that's amore!
Corporate Travel Management’s CEO Laura Ruffles steps down
CTM confirmed that Ruffles will be stepping down due to a personal health issue, effective immediately.
Qatar Airways crowned World’s Best MICE Airline at World MICE Awards
You could say Qatar Airways really 'nabbed the cheese' with this one! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
Qantas, Jetstar & Virgin hike airfares as supplier costs inflate
Supplier increases means you'll pay more. It's like pass the parcel, but instead of getting a present, you owe money.
NSW Central Coast wins global sustainability award for promoting ecotourism at ITB
NSW Central Coast jumped the gun on St. Patricks Day and got the green celebrations going early!
PHOTOS: RuPaul’s Drag Race stars hit Kings Canyon for Priscilla’s 30th anniversary
The stars have renamed the iconic spot 'Queens Canyon'. No name change to the adjacent 'Priscilla's Crack', however.
Air NZ to suspend Auckland-Chicago route amid aircraft troubles
Sorry Kiwis, your craving for authentic deep dish pizza will go unsatiated (or you could just fly with another airline).
Tasmanian Premier promises to build the world’s largest chocolate fountain if re-elected
If only sticky 6-year-old children could vote. Then the Tassie Premier would be guaranteed a victory!
The staggering amount invested in 2022/23 Australian tourism projects revealed!
Any guesses on how much it was? We'll give you a hint: It's between $1 and $9 trillion (hope this helps).
Marriott’s Bonvoy Lounge makes it a 5-peat at Formula 1 in Melbourne
If Formula 1 is so good, then why isn't there a Formula 2? Oh there is one... Never mind.
Virgin Australia posts $236m profit, but the outgoing CEO warns of turbulence ahead
Hrdlicka warns of tough times ahead, just after announcing she's leaving. We wonder if there could be a connection!
Ascott opens new 255 room property in Central Sydney
Bored of your bedroom and want 255 new ones to try? The new Ascott property is here to solve this very specific problem!
Work and play at the Radisson RED, Auckland
We aren't going to tell you what order to work and play in, just that you should be looking to do both at Radisson Red.
Swiftonomics 101: Just how much did fans spend travelling to see Taylor Swift?
Thought you'd heard the last of Swift, huh? Not in your Wildest Dreams could Swiftomania go out of Style!
Rex posts a $13.3m turnaround for 1H24, but still at a loss
Rex is slowly making its way back to pre-pandemic form. Much like us with our sporadic attempts at exercise.