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NEWS
Airbnb eyes share of wider travel market
POSTED 23 Sep 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk has previously outlined the company's plans to conquer the Asian market
Online spare room rental service Airbnb is poised to expand its travel offerings through an online marketplace that would enable locals to sell tours and a range of other experiences related to their city.

The plan, which is part of a strategy to build on Airbnb’s success in the accommodation market and transform the company into a hospitality firm, is one of several ways the US-based outfit is bidding to increase its share of traveller’s spending. As of the beginning of this year, Airbnb was operating in 34,000 cities across 192 countries, meaning the potential reach for this new marketplace is enormous.

“We think there’s huge opportunities for other services on top of accommodation,” Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky told The Sunday Telegraph “If I’m coming to London, what do I do in London? We think we have an opportunity to enhance your trip and enhance your experience.”

The fast-growing company recently attracted $500m (€389m £306m) in venture capital and has been reported to be trialling a number of new services outside of its core accommodation market, such as a service that would allow people to sell seats at their dinner table online.

In an interview for the Q1 2014 edition of Leisure Management magazine, Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk outlined the company’s plans to conquer the Asian market with sustained investment across 2014.

“We’ve had properties in Asia for a long time, but for the first time we have critical mass and sustained growth and we’re going to continue to invest over there,” said Blecharczyk.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be doing things on a global scale and to realise that what you’re doing is not only helping individuals but also creating a macro economic trend – the sharing economy. It’s just amazing to be changing the world.”
MORE NEWS
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
+ More news   

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The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
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COMPANY PROFILES
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23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

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Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
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©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Airbnb eyes share of wider travel market
POSTED 23 Sep 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk has previously outlined the company's plans to conquer the Asian market
Online spare room rental service Airbnb is poised to expand its travel offerings through an online marketplace that would enable locals to sell tours and a range of other experiences related to their city.

The plan, which is part of a strategy to build on Airbnb’s success in the accommodation market and transform the company into a hospitality firm, is one of several ways the US-based outfit is bidding to increase its share of traveller’s spending. As of the beginning of this year, Airbnb was operating in 34,000 cities across 192 countries, meaning the potential reach for this new marketplace is enormous.

“We think there’s huge opportunities for other services on top of accommodation,” Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky told The Sunday Telegraph “If I’m coming to London, what do I do in London? We think we have an opportunity to enhance your trip and enhance your experience.”

The fast-growing company recently attracted $500m (€389m £306m) in venture capital and has been reported to be trialling a number of new services outside of its core accommodation market, such as a service that would allow people to sell seats at their dinner table online.

In an interview for the Q1 2014 edition of Leisure Management magazine, Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk outlined the company’s plans to conquer the Asian market with sustained investment across 2014.

“We’ve had properties in Asia for a long time, but for the first time we have critical mass and sustained growth and we’re going to continue to invest over there,” said Blecharczyk.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be doing things on a global scale and to realise that what you’re doing is not only helping individuals but also creating a macro economic trend – the sharing economy. It’s just amazing to be changing the world.”
MORE NEWS
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Swissline opens renovated urban wellness destination Labo Spa in Zurich
Swissline has opened a flagship day spa in Zurich, Switzerland, called Labo Spa.
Gran Hotel Taoro opens Sandára Wellness Centre
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Zerobody Cryo: Starpool's contrast therapy solution
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Yon-Ka

Founded in 1954, the Yon-Ka Paris combines nature, science, and sensoriality to create results-dr [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS