Creating a COVID friendly Airbnb listing is the way to attract new guests from this point forward. The travel industry took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the future is bright for Airbnb hosts. The platform brought in $3.4 billion in revenue in 2020, and surveys show that most people are planning to increase their travel this year. That’s great news if you are looking to transform your property into an Airbnb.
That said, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before putting your listing out into the world post-COVID. People’s priorities and travel habits have changed during the pandemic, and travelers are shifting away from traditional amenities and lodging options.
If you want your property to stand out this year, read on to learn the best ways to elevate your Airbnb in a post COVID world.
Market to Millennials
Millennials are some of Airbnb’s most loyal customers. Because they make up approximately 60% of Airbnb’s user base, you should consider their preferences and travel habits when deciding the best way to market your listing. This could involve providing a helpful list of local restaurants, coffee shops and bars that millennials might be interested in.
Add a Remote Workspace
Airbnb’s are a popular choice for students and remote employees who need to work on the go. To make your listing more work-from-home-friendly, consider adding a quiet office or workspace. This could be as simple as adding a desk with a power strip to an unused corner of the living room or turning a small bedroom into an office.
Remote workers also rely on a strong internet connection for virtual meetings and projects, so reliable Wi-Fi is a must. Make sure they know where the router is located in your Airbnb, in the even that it needs to be restarted.
Create Outdoor Spaces
If you want to make your listing more desirable during warmer months, try adding an outdoor communal space where small groups of people can gather.
Travelers commonly search for properties with patios, balconies, backyards and barbeque areas, and these amenities are in even higher demand due to social distancing guidelines.
Advertising an outdoor space will improve your chances of attracting travelers who want a safe place to meet with other people during their stay.
Stock Your Kitchen With New Items
More now than ever, people have been staying home and cooking their own meals. While we are still in the middle of a pandemic, guests may want the option to stay at your Airbnb and cook dinner. Make sure your kitchen is stocked with at least the essentials (see our FULL KITCHEN ESSENTIALS LIST).
Add some fun new small kitchen appliances – like a waffle maker – to really impress your guests. I recently added a blender so guests can make tropical drinks right at the beach bungalow!
Enhance Your Cleaning Checklist
If you’re already an Airbnb host, you know that Airbnb has created resources for us hosts on how to clean the right way post COVID. Ensure that your cleaning company is aware of these requirements and that they implement them right away. This will allow you to get the enhanced cleaning badge on your Airbnb hosting profile. Guests are definitely looking out for these, especially if they are traveling for the first time post COVID.
TIP: Leave a bottle of hand sanitizer for your guests so they know you are thinking about keeping them healthy and safe. To make your own, here is my DIY hand sanitizer post.
Add A Keyless Entry
Having a way for guests to enter your Airbnb home by themselves has always been a great idea. It has come to light even more during the pandemic because people have been trying to minimize contact with others that they don’t know.
A keyless entry means that there is a smart lock at your front door instead of using a lockbox or handing off a house key to someone every time there is a check in. A smart lock is easy to install and an inexpensive way to create a keyless entry for every new guests.
You can even set a new code for each guest if you decide to use a Wi-Fi smart lock.
More Ways To Elevate Your Airbnb Listing After COVID From The Zebra
Making a few tweaks to your listing will ensure that you stay competitive as travelers head back out into the world in 2021. If you found these tips to be helpful, check out the infographic below for more ways to create a memorable Airbnb listing your guests will love.
