Earlier this year we outlined ambitious plans to develop and grow Airbnb Experiences. Today we are proud to announce the opening of a second office in Los Angeles that will serve as a hub for our growing Experiences team. The new office will be part of the more than 30 Airbnb regional offices around the world and will initially be home to some 40 new employees.
This is the start of a broader commitment to expand our footprint in the region and create good, quality jobs that support the area’s growing tech industry.
We are excited for this opportunity to capitalize on everything that makes Los Angeles a world-class destination and attracts more than 48 million visitors each year. The same reasons that have made it the entertainment capital of the world — its diversity, great climate, and the talent and passion of its residents — also make it the perfect place to test and grow Airbnb Experiences. Being close to a wide range of music, film, and sports talent will help us offer and develop a wider range of Experiences for our customers.
As an alum of Caltech, I know Los Angeles is also home to world-class colleges and universities that produce a wealth of diverse technical talent. The opening of our new office will allow us to tap into the region’s strong talent pool and help us meet our goal of expanding into 1,000 new cities by the end of the year.
Los Angeles has been an important destination for Airbnb Experiences since our launch in November 2016. With over 500 Experiences now available, the city’s wealth of creative and artistic talent has helped make it one of the top markets for Airbnb Experiences in the world. From intimate concerts at the world famous Village Studios, to a hike in Runyon Canyon with rescue dogs, and a DJ class with a Grammy-winning producer, the options are never-ending.
Through Experiences, Angelenos and hosts in over 800 cities are earning meaningful extra money by sharing their passions and interests with visitors from around the world. Much like home sharing, Airbnb Experiences help democratize the benefits of tourism by allowing local residents to earn extra money from their interests and passions with travelers from around the world – and right here at home.
Experiences play a critical role in Airbnb’s vision of becoming an end-to-end travel platform and are a natural extension of the local, authentic accommodations provided by our homes hosts. We look forward to this new chapter and all the potential that Los Angeles has to offer.