As part of a massive rollout of new features, Airbnb is betting that remote and flexible working will continue to play a big part in how it operates.
The new tools come just days after the U.S. reopened its borders to overseas tourists.
CEO Brian Chesky is hoping to provide a comfortable blend of work and leisure for long-term stays. The rollout also follows Airbnb’s “I’m Flexible” campaign announced in May, which allows guests to search for listings up to six months in advance.
“I think the practical challenge is finding a place that is available for a month,” said Nathan Blecharczyk, Chief Strategy Officer at Airbnb. “If you plan ahead, there’s zero problem doing that.”
During the third quarter, Airbnb saw record sales and earnings despite concerns over the Delta variant. The company specifically cited increased flexible work policies as a reason for the boost in demand for their vacation rentals.
Airbnb is hoping to improve the guest experience by helping hosts test their WiFi and ensure that their speed is optimal for users.
Even more, the update will also allow guests to search for listings that are “off the grid” as demand for retreating to less dense spaces away from city centers has grown.
