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Solo travel is skyrocketing among all ages and large companies are looking to adapt to the growing trend. A few weeks ago the cruise line Oceania Cruises announced new cabins for solo travelers, and now Airbnb has developed a new feature for this type of traveler.
On Monday, the American company Airbnb announced a new safety product for solo travelers in a press release, an in-app feature that will help solo travelers have safe and secure experiences.
According to the information shared on the official website, the company noticed that in 2021 about 26% of nights booked were for solo travelers, and during the first quarter of 2022 that number has increased: over 50% of the nights registered for long-term stays were booked by solo travelers.
Airbnb stated: “As the ‘live anywhere’ phenomenon has taken off among people who are able to work remotely, our platform has become increasingly integral to solo travelers.”
One of the main concerns for solo travelers is safety, and that is why Airbnb’s Trust team has been working since 2021 on a new product to guarantee safe and secure experiences. This new feature is now available for English-speaking guests.
How The New Feature For Solo Travelers Works
The new feature for solo travelers will activate when a guest books a private or shared room. The specialized in-app experience, as Airbnb calls this new feature, will show the solo traveler “expert tips” to help them stay safe.
Solo travelers will now be able to share where they are staying and their reservation itinerary with family and friends. Trusted people will be able to see the address, check-in and check-out dates, and reservation codes.
After a guest has booked a room, the new feature will also provide automated prompts and help solo travelers ask relevant questions based on research and other travelers’ experiences in that location. “Is there anything I should know about the neighborhood?” and “will you be available if I need help during my stay” are two examples of the questions the app will tell travelers to ask their hosts.
With this strategy, they hope to build a safety net and encourage solo travelers to book comfortably: “Our hope is this new product will better equip solo travelers on Airbnb to be more informed travelers by getting their pre-trip questions answered, giving them a better understanding of their surroundings, and informing the important people in their lives about where they will be and for how long.”
The new in-app experience is only available in English, but Airbnb hopes to expand to other countries and languages soon. Another specialized experience for women is part of the company’s main concern, but for now, the new feature will be available for all solo travelers regardless of their gender identity.
Airbnb’s New Updates And Features
Airbnb has been very active recently including new features to their app, sharing relevant travel data, and even making major updates to their platform. The company has recently included new buttons and categories for its over 6 million listings to provide more exciting and interesting options for travelers, such as the OMG homes.
Now that the pandemic is more under control and more travelers want to explore the world and work remotely, the company has been adapting to satisfy current travel needs. Airbnb has already heard and acted to satisfy remote workers’ needs and constantly updates COVID-related measures depending on local restrictions and worldwide health developments.
The current concern seems to be safety, so besides the new solo traveler feature, the company has also recently added a 24/7 safety line for travelers, a Local Emergency Services in-app experience to reach emergency services locally—recently extended to 70 countries— and now users can also add an emergency contact to their profile to help the company reach out to a friend or family member in case of emergency.
Read More:
Airbnb Makes Major Updates To Platform And Adds New Features For Travelers
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
Oceania Cruises Adds Cabins For Solo Travelers, Expands Eco-Friendly Tours
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