Want to learn how to become an Airbnb experience host? Whether you’re interested in hosting cooking classes, walking tours, bike rides, pub crawls, paddleboard adventures, or something else, there are plenty of ways to make money by offering unique experiences through Airbnb.
Hosting Airbnb experiences can be a great way to earn extra income and meet new people. You can make it a side gig or even a full-time job, depending on your availability and goals.
I recently interviewed Martin Dasko, an Airbnb experience host who takes guests to unique coffee shops around his city. Martin shared his insights on becoming an Airbnb experience host and provided valuable tips on how to succeed in this role.
In this interview, you’ll find answers to questions like:
– What is an Airbnb experience?
– How much do Airbnb experience hosts make?
– What are some examples of Airbnb experiences I can host?
– How do I start hosting an Airbnb experience?
– Is hosting an Airbnb experience worth it?
Martin also has a book titled “How You Can Start Making Money With Airbnb Experiences Today” and a course called “Experience Empire Builder” for those interested in diving deeper into this topic.
### How to Become an Airbnb Experience Host
1. **Background and Getting Started**
Martin, a personal finance blogger at Studenomics, always explored new side hustles to share with his readers. In 2018, he had the idea of taking guests to cool coffee shops around Toronto. Initially unsure of how to make it work, he put the idea on hold. In 2019, while in Costa Rica, he discovered Airbnb Experiences and realized he could turn his coffee shop idea into a profitable venture. After returning to Toronto, he applied to host his own experience and eventually got approved.
2. **Earnings as an Airbnb Experience Host**
Hosts earn 80% of the experience fee, with prices varying based on what they charge. Martin started with a low introductory rate to attract guests and gradually increased prices as he improved his process. For a coffee tour, he charged $25-30 per person, making about $11 per person. Tips, though not common, also add up. The goal is to charge a fair rate while keeping expenses low.
3. **What Martin Likes About Hosting**
Martin enjoys the creative control and the support Airbnb provides in promoting experiences. The platform handles advertising, payments, and other logistics, allowing hosts to focus on delivering a great experience. He also appreciates that any hobby can be turned into a profitable business.
4. **What is an Airbnb Experience?**
An Airbnb experience is any activity offered on the Airbnb platform, ranging from food tours to unique local activities. These experiences immerse guests in the host’s world and go beyond typical tours or classes.
5. **How Airbnb Experiences Work**
Guests can browse and book experiences when they look up a destination on Airbnb. Hosts need to think of a unique experience, apply for approval, and schedule dates for guests to book. Martin’s coffee crawl, for example, involves visiting three unique coffee shops in Toronto.
6. **Airbnb Experience Ideas**
Almost anything can be an experience, from food tours to history walks. Popular ideas include photography tours, walking tours, and food tours. Unique ideas range from eating fire seminars to mermaid classes.
7. **Earnings Potential**
Earnings depend on how much you charge and the number of guests. Unique experiences can command higher prices. To maximize earnings, hosts can run multiple experiences, hire co-hosts, and form business partnerships.
8. **Airbnb’s Cut**
Airbnb takes a 20% commission, which covers platform use, advertising, and payment processing.
9. **Virtual Airbnb Experiences**
Virtual experiences are hosted over Zoom and need to be interactive. Popular virtual experiences include tarot card readings, piano concerts, and cooking classes. Martin found that his coffee crawl didn’t translate well to a virtual format.
10. **Host Requirements**
Hosts need to demonstrate expertise or passion for their activity. This can include social media presence, accomplishments, or relevant experience. Airbnb looks for well-informed enthusiasts who can offer unique activities.
11. **Steps to Get Started**
To become a host, you need to fill out an application on Airbnb, providing details about your experience, qualifications, and what guests can expect. It’s important to have a clear plan and quality photos. If denied, you can reapply with improvements.
12. **Additional Tips**
Turn a unique passion into a profitable hobby. Think of something special that guests wouldn’t be able to do on their own. Trying out a similar activity near you first can help you understand the process and improve your offering.
13. **Resources**
Martin offers a guide and a course to help you turn your experience idea into a profitable business. You can also read his free blog post, “How You Can Make Money From Hosting an Airbnb Experience,” to learn more.
Are you interested in learning how to become an Airbnb experience host?