We all know that running short-term rentals keeps you busy—cleaning schedules, guest messages, pricing updates. Adding another stream of income may feel out of reach. But if you’ve got a skill, local knowledge, or a unique activity idea, Airbnb Experiences can help you grow without adding more listings or overhead.
This guide breaks down how to become an Airbnb Experiences host, step by step. We’ll show you what matters—how to meet Airbnb’s standards, how to structure your experience, and how to build something guests want to book again and again.
An Airbnb Experience is a hands-on activity led by a host who brings local knowledge, personal skills, or a unique point of view. It’s not a background process or a self-guided tour. Guests book to spend time with you—not just to check off another attraction.
Popular experience formats include:
Hosting an experience is a completely different setup than managing a stay. A stay runs in the background—guests check in, follow instructions, and leave a review. Experiences put you in the spotlight. You guide the pace, shape the interaction, and create the memory.
Not everyone is a fit for hosting, and the platform sets some clear boundaries. Guests are booking time with a real person—someone who knows their craft or community inside and out.
You don’t need a culinary degree to lead a taco crawl, but you should know the vendor who hand-presses tortillas before sunrise. You don’t need to teach art professionally to run a painting session, but you should feel confident showing someone how to use the materials. The strongest Airbnb experiences host already spends time doing what they love—they just start sharing it with visitors.
There’s a short list of non-negotiables before you can post an experience. You need to:
You don’t need a huge personality or an elaborate setup. But if you’re leading an experience, you do need to show up, stay prepared, and connect with each group. Whether you're guiding a hike, teaching pasta from scratch, or introducing guests to local music—you're the reason they booked.
The most reliable hosts usually have a few things in common. They're:
You don’t need a background in hospitality to pull this off. But you do need to care—about the experience, about your guests, and about making the time together worth remembering.
An Airbnb Experience listing isn’t just a form to fill out—it’s the preview guests use to picture what they’re about to join. It answers their questions before they ask and gives them a reason to book with you, not someone else. Every part of the listing matters, from the title to the timing. Here’s how to build one that works hard for you.
Skip clever phrases. Guests scroll quickly, looking for clarity. A title needs to say what the activity is, where it happens, and why it’s different.
For example:
Each one sets expectations without fluff. No guessing, no overpromise.
The title gets attention, but the description seals the deal. Use it to walk guests through exactly what happens—from arrival to wrap-up. Explain what they’ll do, who they’ll meet, and what they’ll walk away with.
Be specific:
Set the tone early. If the pace is relaxed and conversational, say so. If it’s hands-on and fast-moving, spell that out. No one wants to show up underdressed or overwhelmed.
Photos do more than decorate the page—they tell guests what to expect. Use real shots from real sessions. Show people cooking, hiking, crafting, or exploring. Avoid empty rooms or posed group photos that feel stiff or staged.
Good lighting makes a huge difference. Take photos during the best time of day for natural light. For food or materials, get close enough to show texture and detail without over-editing or filters.
Skip stock images. Guests can spot them instantly, and they’ll wonder what else isn’t accurate.
Pricing sends a message. Too low, and guests may question the quality. Too high, and they’ll expect extras you might not include. Look at similar experiences nearby—same format, similar duration—and see where your offer fits.
Factor in:
Smaller groups often justify higher pricing, especially if you’re offering one-on-one time or personalized instruction. Just make sure the value is clear from the start.
Instead of opening your calendar wide, start with a few time slots you can commit to every week. Weekends often fill quickly, but weekday mornings or evenings might attract travelers with flexible plans.
Stick to a consistent rhythm. Guests tend to book when they see regular options. If you’re unavailable for a stretch, block those days early. A reliable schedule builds trust faster than trying to be available all the time.
Airbnb expects every experience to be safe, well-run, and worth the guest’s time. As a result, strong reviews, clear communication, and safe environments aren’t optional. They’re the baseline.
Here are a few other things to consider when you're planning your experience:
Build space for real connection. That doesn’t mean forcing small talk or pretending to be high-energy if you aren’t. Just stay present, read the group, and know how to guide the flow. Great experiences feel personal, not rehearsed.
Airbnb checks every listing for safety risks, but you’re the one responsible for staying within the law. That means getting any local permits, carrying the right licenses, and knowing what’s allowed in your city—especially if your experience includes food, animals, or vehicles.
The platform limits anything with extreme physical risk or controversial themes. No axe throwing, no political rallies, no base jumping from rooftops. If something feels legally grey or medically risky, Airbnb probably doesn’t allow it.
You also need to:
AirCover includes liability protection and 24/7 support, but it doesn’t replace your responsibility to run things safely. Treat it as your backup, not your safety net.
Your reviews are your resume. Airbnb watches guest feedback closely, and so do future guests. Strong ratings build trust fast. A few bad ones can slow you down or even get your experience removed.
Here’s what matters most:
Consistent 5-star reviews show you’re running a tight operation. Cancellations, no-shows, and poor communication are all red flags—and the platform doesn’t hand out second chances easily. Being a reliable Airbnb experiences host means meeting expectations every time guests book.
Getting listed is the easy part. Getting booked takes more work. As an Airbnb experiences host, how often your listing shows up—and who sees it—has a direct impact on bookings and income.
Airbnb acts like a marketplace, and the algorithm decides who gets seen. It rewards hosts who stay active, responsive, and reliable. If your calendar stays empty or outdated, you’ll fall down the search results fast.
Keep availability current and open. Use Instant Book to remove friction and appeal to last-minute travelers. Listings with high-quality photos, consistent five-star reviews, and detailed descriptions tend to rank higher. One weak spot can drag the whole listing down.
Airbnb editors hand-pick Featured Experiences to promote across the platform and through email campaigns. You can’t apply for a spot, but experiences that are highly visual, easy to describe, and clearly rooted in local culture often catch attention. A cluttered listing or vague activity won’t make the cut.
Reviews shape your reputation before guests even message you. Clean, detailed feedback builds trust fast—and trust drives bookings. No one wants to be the first to try something with no track record.
Send a short, personalized thank-you after each session. Mention a specific moment or interaction so the message doesn’t feel automatic. Most guests are happy to leave a review if they feel like their time mattered.
New hosts can limit bookings to experienced Airbnb users at first. These guests already understand the system and usually leave thoughtful reviews. Once your listing has enough strong feedback, open it up to everyone else.
Airbnb brings plenty of visibility, but it’s not the only way to get bookings. Your own channels—Instagram, TikTok, or even a basic website—can drive steady interest. Show parts of your process. Post group photos (with permission). Share small moments that reflect what makes your experience different.
Local connections go a long way, too. Collaborate with restaurants, guides, or boutique hotels nearby. Offer their guests something special in exchange for a mention or referral. Hang flyers in cafés, coworking spaces, or visitor centers. Tourists trust recommendations from people who live in the area—especially when the experience feels personal, not mass-produced.
Even one good local connection can lead to steady bookings. It’s not about having a huge audience—it’s about being known by the right people.
Hosting an Airbnb Experience doesn’t work like managing short-term rentals. You’re not syncing calendars and sending check-in messages. You’re showing up in person, leading the activity, and shaping how guests spend their time. For many hosts, that’s the whole appeal. For others, it’s a schedule that demands more energy and attention than expected.
Here’s what to expect once the listing is live and bookings start rolling in.
You choose when to host. Whether you run sessions twice a week or only during high season, the schedule stays in your hands. No back-to-back turnovers, no 3 a.m. guest messages. You control the calendar.
Sharing a skill or local insight also adds an income stream without adding another property. If your pasta-making class or city photo walk pulls strong reviews, the demand often follows naturally. No property taxes or supply restocking—just your time, your knowledge, and a guest who booked to experience both.
Leading sessions also connects you to your community. Guests leave with a better understanding of your city, and nearby businesses often benefit from the foot traffic or referrals. Over time, you become a go-to expert in your niche—whether you’re guiding hikes, teaching ceramics, or organizing food tastings.
Every session depends on you. If you’re sick, late, or double-booked, the experience doesn’t happen. There’s no substitute host to call in. Canceling means refund requests, disappointed guests, and a dip in your review score.
Bookings also follow the seasons. Outdoor activities slow down in colder months. Weekday slots may sit empty unless you're in a high-traffic spot. Unlike nightly stays, demand may spike in one month and vanish the next, especially in areas with short tourism windows.
Guest expectations bring another layer. Some groups arrive early, participate fully, and ask great questions. Others show up late, stay quiet, or expect something different from what you offer. You set the tone, manage time, and adjust on the fly. A single off review can hurt future bookings, even if past guests leave glowing feedback.
Running an experience means staying present, both physically and mentally. The work happens in real-time, with real people—and that’s exactly what makes it rewarding and demanding at once.
Becoming an Airbnb Experiences host opens the door to a new revenue stream that complements your short-term rental business. By sharing your skills, passions, or local knowledge, you can offer guests an unforgettable activity while deepening your connection to your community. The key is to meet Airbnb’s standards, create a clear and compelling listing, and deliver an experience that consistently earns five-star reviews.
From setting up your first listing to promoting it effectively, hosting experiences requires thoughtful planning and consistent effort. But for property managers looking to diversify income and connect with guests beyond the check-in process, it can be a high-impact opportunity worth exploring.
If you’re ready to expand your business while keeping operations efficient, sign up for Uplisting to streamline your vacation rental management. Let us handle the backend, so you can focus on creating experiences worth remembering.
No. Property ownership isn’t part of the deal when it comes to Airbnb Experiences.
Some activities need more than just a calendar and a listing. If you’re cooking for guests, using public spaces, or guiding anything with equipment—like bikes, boats, or vehicles—you’ll probably need permits or documentation. Local governments often have rules about where and how you can operate. Check those first. Airbnb may also ask for proof before approving your listing, so having everything sorted ahead of time keeps things running smoothly.
Plans fall apart. Travelers miss flights, get sick, or change their minds. A flexible cancellation policy helps you stay covered without turning away future bookings. Most hosts stick with the moderate option—full refund if canceled 24 hours ahead. To avoid no-shows, send a quick reminder the day before with directions, meeting spots, and what guests should bring. If someone cancels too late, offer to move their booking to another day. It’s easier than scrambling to fill the spot and shows you’re running a guest-friendly experience.
We’ve built an all-in-one property, channel management and automation tool to help property managers scale seamlessly.
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