Airbnb Animal Experiences Spotlight: KISS Concert for Great White Sharks

According to research, sound is an important underwater stimulus and apparently great white sharks have a distinct preference for heavy metal and rock and roll! So today, to launch Airbnb Animal Experiences, we are offering eight people the opportunity to join them for the rock and roll gig of a lifetime. For just $50 per person, guests will be able to head out to sea and join legendary rock band KISS as they perform for great whites off the southern coast of Australia.

On the ‘KISS Concert for Great White Sharks’ experience, guests will join host Matt Waller along with shark expert Dr. Blake Chapman and spend the day out on the water. They will learn about and observe marine animals [including sharks, dolphins, sea birds, sea lions and more] before heading out on the shark laden waters off the coast of Port Lincoln, Australia, where they’ll settle underwater in time for the rock out session. While guests descend into the boat’s ‘Aqua Sub’ viewing hull, KISS members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer will play their greatest hits up on deck, projected over and below water to attract the sharks.

“I’ve been helping people have meaningful — and memorable — experiences with great whites for years now, and you really get to see how all the sharks have different personalities. They even like different types of music!” said Waller. “The most important thing for me has always been to ensure that the encounters are responsible and ethical. For that, it helps that the humans are the ones in the cage,” he joked. “And now with KISS, we’re taking it to a whole new level — humans will be entertaining the sharks, not the other way around.” 

Waller’s philosophy is emblematic of the vision for Airbnb Animal Experiences as a whole. Vetted against new, industry-leading animal welfare guidelines, each Experience in this new category will focus on creating respectful connections with wildlife that promote empathy and respect for the animals themselves. 

This time we’re really going “down under” and making sure we give the great white sharks something they can sink their teeth into.

Paul Stanley, KISS

Airbnb Animal Experiences offer fresh new ways to connect with animals near and far, so that even busy urbanites can reconnect with the natural world. The intention is to give people a deeper understanding of animals so that they, in turn, can become animal advocates. To that end, guests on the ‘KISS Concert for Great White Sharks’ experience will also be accompanied by shark expert Dr. Blake Chapman of Australian Geographic.

“Research has indicated that low-frequency and pulsed sounds can be attractive to some shark species. Interestingly, different animals (even within the same species) appear to respond to sounds differently,” said Dr. Chapman. “Sharks are among the world’s most misunderstood animals. It’s important for people to learn that sharks are worthy of respect and protection. This unique experience offers an opportunity to see sharks in a different light, helping to foster greater appreciation for these iconic animals.”

All proceeds from the ‘KISS Concert for Great White Sharks’ experience will go towards the Australian Marine Conservation Society. To book ‘KISS at Sea with Great White Sharks’ visit www.airbnb.com/kiss on Monday October 14, 6pm ET. The Experience will take place on November 18, and is available for $50 per person. 

For more information on Airbnb Animal Experiences, visit www.airbnb.com/animals. 

ABOUT KISS

As America’s #1 Gold Record Award winning group of all time, and that’s in every category, KISS can easily be named one of rock’s most influential bands. The Rock N Roll Hall of Famers have released 44 albums and sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. Honored by their peers, KISS received the illustrious ASCAP Founders Award in 2015. Over 40 years of record-breaking global tours have brought KISS to their fans. They kicked off their 2015 world tour with 5 headlining shows in Japan and a #1 single in 2014 “Samurai Son” with pop group, Momoiro Clover Z. Their 40th Anniversary World tour also rocked North America, South America and Australia. Additionally, once a year the “KISS Army” becomes the “KISS Navy” as fans from across the globe board the KISS Kruise (this year will be their 5th voyage). KISS teamed up with Warner Brothers in 2014 to create the well-received original movie ScoobyDoo and KISS: Rock And Roll Mystery. Other high-profile appearances have included the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, Rockin’ The Corps concert, a FOX alliance with KISS appearing in multiple episodes of Family Guy, plus two special guest performances on American Idol finales. KISS has been featured in major advertising and marketing campaigns for John Varvatos, Google Play, Hello Kitty— even appearing in a Dr. Pepper Super Bowl commercial and advertising campaign in support of their Hottest Show On Earth tour. KISS founding band members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have also entered the culinary world by opening a string of successful restaurants aptly named Rock & Brews. KISS is dedicated to numerous Veterans Organizations including: The Wounded Warriors Project, The USO, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Hire A Hero” program, The Legacy Organization in Australia, Help ForHeroes United Kingdom and The Dr. Pepper Snapple Groups Wounded Warriors Support Foundations. For more information, visit www.KissOnline.com.