Airbnb's CEO, Brian Chesky, advocates for expedited growth for the company, arguing that swift expansion is essential.
Airbnb, the renowned vacation rental platform, is embarking on a significant transformation under the leadership of its co-founder and CEO, Brian Chesky. The company, which was initially focused on providing short-term accommodations, is now aiming to "rebuild the entire company from scratch" to open up many more business fields.
In an interview at the Skift Global Forum in 2025, Chesky discussed the company's growth rate and expressed his dissatisfaction with the current pace. He believes that during Airbnb's initial rapid growth, the foundations for a sustainable business were not built.
To address this, Airbnb is launching a relaunch of its Experiences and Services offerings, which could potentially generate billions of dollars in revenue. This expansion is part of the company's plans to not only grow its apartment rental business and hotel offerings but also to become an "all-in-one" app where countless types of experiences and services can be booked.
Chesky has been inspired by Amazon, which has transitioned from selling books to selling everything. He is convinced that Airbnb will accelerate its growth next year.
Airbnb's relaunched Experiences and Services allow travelers to book things like private chefs, personal trainers, photography, and massages on demand and directly to their doorstep. This service is a significant departure from the company's traditional focus on home rentals.
In addition to this, Airbnb is also focusing on luxury travel through Airbnb Luxe, a new business field announced by Chesky to transform Airbnb's slow growth. The company is also aiming to become an AI-first app, or a KI-friendly application, to enhance user experience.
Despite the ambitious plans, Chesky is cautious about overpromising. He stated that while growth is expected to increase, he does not want to overpromise what Airbnb will do.
Airbnb, which was started by Chesky in his apartment with roommates, has come a long way since its inception. The company, which was once a "hypergrowth" company, is currently growing at a slower rate compared to a few years ago. However, with its new focus on its core business and its new offerings, there is a strong possibility that Airbnb will once again regain its rapid growth trajectory.
In the first and second quarters of 2025, Airbnb's revenue increased by 6 percent and 13 percent respectively, year-over-year. While this growth rate is lower than the 40 percent growth seen in 2022, it is a positive step towards Airbnb's goal of growing at more than 20 percent.
As Airbnb continues to evolve and expand, it will be interesting to see how the company navigates the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. With its ambitious plans and the leadership of Brian Chesky, Airbnb is poised to make a significant impact in the travel and hospitality industry.
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