Can an individual make money selling experiences on Airbnb? Yes, it is possible to make money selling experiences on Airbnb through the Airbnb Experiences platform. This feature allows hosts to offer unique activities that go beyond accommodation. Experiences can range from cooking classes and guided tours to art workshops and outdoor adventures. 

Key Ways to Make Money Selling Experiences on Airbnb

Here’s how you can make money selling experiences on Airbnb:

1. Designing a Unique Experience

To get started, you’ll need to think about what type of experience you can offer. Airbnb focuses on experiences that are:

• Authentic: Experiences that showcase your unique skills or the local culture.
• Hands-on: Guests often prefer experiences where they can actively participate rather than just observe.
• Exclusive or Unique: The more one-of-a-kind your offering, the more likely it is to stand out. For example, offering a cooking class that features a local dish or a guided hike to a hidden location can be very appealing to travelers.

Examples of successful experiences include:

• Food and drink: Teaching guests how to make traditional dishes, hosting wine or beer tastings, or leading a food market tour.
• Arts and culture: Offering photography lessons in picturesque locations, hosting art or music workshops, or giving tours of local landmarks.
• Nature and outdoor activities: Guiding guests on hiking, biking, or kayaking trips, teaching survival skills, or offering eco-tours.
• History and culture tours: Walking tours of historical or cultural sites, local ghost tours, or storytelling sessions about the area’s heritage.

You’ll want to structure the experience so that it is engaging and interactive for participants. Think about the flow of the event, the materials or tools you’ll need, and the type of venue that fits your activity.

2. Earnings Potential

The amount of money you can make depends on a few factors:

• Price per guest: You decide how much to charge. Rates for Airbnb Experiences can vary widely depending on the location, type of experience, and market demand. For example, cooking classes or high-end tours in popular cities might fetch $50–$200 per person, while simpler experiences in less touristy areas might be priced lower.
• Group size: You set the number of guests per experience. If you can accommodate more people, you’ll make more money per session.
• Frequency: The more often you host the experience, the more you can earn. Some hosts offer experiences daily or weekly, while others might only offer them on weekends or during peak tourist seasons.
• Demand and Location: If you’re offering experiences in a high-tourism area, your booking potential increases. However, even in less touristy places, unique or niche experiences can attract visitors.

For example, if you charge $50 per guest and host five people twice a week, you could earn around $500 a week, or $2,000 per month. Popular or highly-reviewed experiences may allow you to charge higher prices and host more frequently.

3. Setting the Price

Airbnb gives you full control over how much you charge for your experience. When deciding on a price, consider:

• Your costs: Factor in the expenses involved in running the experience, like materials, transportation, entry fees, or renting space.
• Time: Take into account how long the experience lasts. A half-day or full-day event should typically be priced higher than a 1- or 2-hour experience.
• Competitors: Check out what other hosts in your area (or similar cities) are offering and how much they charge for similar experiences. This will give you a sense of what guests are willing to pay.
• Demand: If you find that your experience is frequently booked out, you might be able to increase the price.

4. Targeting the Right Audience

Airbnb’s platform exposes your experience to a large, global audience. However, you’ll still want to think about how to tailor your experience to appeal to specific types of guests. For example:

• Tourists: If you’re in a popular travel destination, think about what unique aspect of the location you can highlight. It could be an off-the-beaten-path cultural tour or an authentic cooking experience.
• Locals: In some areas, locals might be interested in learning new skills or exploring their city in a different way, such as through niche workshops or local history tours.
• Niche communities: If your experience caters to a specific group (e.g., photography enthusiasts, foodies, nature lovers), make sure your description highlights these aspects to draw their attention.

Reviews play a crucial role in attracting more bookings. Providing a high-quality experience with attention to detail and excellent customer service can lead to positive reviews and, in turn, more bookings. Consider offering discounts to early guests to quickly accumulate reviews.

5. No Need for a Physical Space

One of the great things about Airbnb Experiences is that you don’t need to own or rent a home to host one. All you need is a location suitable for your activity. This could be:

• Public spaces: Parks, beaches, hiking trails, or city streets for walking tours.
• Rented venues: For certain experiences, like cooking classes or art workshops, you might rent a kitchen or studio space.
• Your home: Some hosts offer experiences like cooking classes or intimate gatherings in their homes.

The flexibility in venue options means you can design an experience even if you don’t have a physical property to rent out on Airbnb.

6. Virtual Experiences

Airbnb introduced Online Experiences as a way for hosts to reach a global audience virtually. This option is still viable, even post-pandemic, as many people enjoy learning or participating in activities from the comfort of their homes.

Examples of virtual experiences include:

• Virtual cooking classes: Teaching guests how to cook a dish step-by-step from their own kitchen.
• Workshops: Hosting art classes, meditation sessions, or photography tutorials online.
• Tours or talks: Giving virtual tours of historical landmarks or sharing local stories via video call.

For virtual experiences, you will need good internet access, a camera setup, and a clear plan for how to deliver the experience digitally. You can reach a larger audience, as location becomes irrelevant.

7. How to Get Started

• Apply to Host: Airbnb has an application process for hosting experiences. You’ll need to fill out a form with details about your experience idea, your background, and why you’re the right person to lead it. Airbnb reviews applications to ensure they meet their quality standards.
• Listing Your Experience: Once approved, you’ll create a listing for your experience. This includes adding photos, writing a description, and setting the price and availability.
• Market Your Experience: While Airbnb helps by exposing your experience to its users, you can also promote your listing through social media, blogs, or even local partnerships to boost bookings.

8. Benefits of Hosting Airbnb Experiences

• Flexible income: You can host experiences as often or as infrequently as you like, making it a good side hustle or even a full-time business depending on demand.
• Personal fulfillment: Many hosts enjoy sharing their passions and connecting with people from all over the world.
• Low overhead: If you don’t need to rent a venue or buy many materials, your costs could be low, leading to higher profits.
• Global audience: Airbnb’s platform connects you to travelers and locals alike, giving your experience wide exposure.

Airbnb Experiences provide an opportunity to monetize your passions and skills without needing to own property. By offering unique, interactive, and high-quality experiences, you can build a steady stream of income. With flexibility in pricing, location, and hosting frequency, you have the control to make it a profitable venture, whether it’s a side hustle or a full-time endeavor.