With the work from home culture officially upon us, it is not a surprise that 'workcations' are now an actual thing! But what if we tell you that you could work (and live) anywhere in the world on Airbnb for a year?
Keeping up with the growing popularity of working from anywhere, Airbnb, on Thursday, announced the launch of “Live Anywhere on Airbnb”, a program for 12 individuals to live exclusively in listings on Airbnb for approximately one year.
So, whether it's attending your work calls from a beach, road-tripping with your family across the country or learning about various new cultures in your favourite city — twelve members can now make the world their home. What's the catch, you ask? Nothing very challenging, as these participants will have to share their experiences with Airbnb to help inform future product upgrades and innovations on the platform to better accommodate nomadic living. In fact, it will also cover the cost of accommodations and provide an allowance for transportation for the duration of the program.
According to a report published by the brand on Travel & Living, the share of stays 28 days or longer on Airbnb increased 10 per cent in nights booked when comparing 2019 to Q1 2021. Eleven per cent of our long-term stay bookers in 2021 reported living a nomadic lifestyle, with 74 per cent of consumers we surveyed across five countries expressing interest in living someplace other than where their employer is based after the pandemic is over.
Through this program, participants will provide real-world insights on features, services, and the experience of living nomadically, that could help shape the future of long-term living on Airbnb, including:
Product changes and resources that could help improve the long-term living experience
Ideal types of accommodations for solo travellers or groups like families
Connections to local community members and businesses
A better understanding of the financial benefits of hosting while travelling
From young families to remote workers, creatives, empty nesters, and more, we are seeking a diverse set of 12 individuals who can be part of the program for 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022. Airbnb will assist with listing suggestions, local Experiences and more.
Participants who choose to host their primary residence on Airbnb during the program will be able to test the experience and opportunity of hosting while living nomadically, by potentially earning extra money while they travel. It’s possible for anyone who wants to host and take advantage of the coming travel surge. For new listings that were activated and booked in Q1 2021, 50 per cent received a reservation request within four days of activation, and the average annual earnings per host who has welcomed at least one guest is $9,600.
Long-term Airbnb guests and full-time travellers Debbie and Michael Campbell, known as The Senior Nomads, retired in 2013, sold their home and started travelling the world “one Airbnb at a time”. Now eight years later, they've lived in over 270 listings on Airbnb across 85 countries. They anticipate travelling to and living in ten countries in 2021.
"The experience of living on Airbnb has been truly transformational for us,” said Debbie Campbell. “Live Anywhere on Airbnb will give even more people the opportunity to see the world through a whole new lens just as we have. We’re excited to see more people living and working from wherever they choose.”
How can you participate?
Starting today, those interested in embarking on their own nomadic adventure can submit their applications at www.airbnb.com/liveanywhere.
Once selected, participants will begin their journeys with programming on how to live on Airbnb from The Senior Nomads, Airbnb product and research team members, and Live Anywhere experts like travelling journalist Imani Bashir.
What are the guidelines?
Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Each participant will be allowed to bring up to three companions to be part of the program.
The program is 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022, 10 of which will include travelling to and living in listings on Airbnb.
