Meet the couple marking our 2 billionth guest arrival
Airbnb welcomed its 1 billionth guest in October, 2021—14 years after being founded. Now, just three short years later, we’ve hit a new extraordinary milestone—surpassing 2 billion guest arrivals on Airbnb—a feat we’re incredibly proud of and one we have intentionally built towards in the last three years.
In May 2021, Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky set in motion a cadence of bi-annual product releases that has resulted in over 535 upgrades to the platform for our hosts and guests. This is something we believe has helped accelerate the wider use of our platform and app and, ultimately, driven us to surpass 2 billion guest arrivals.
So, who was the guest?
We wondered, too. So, we looked at the data and found the guest and their trip and are sharing their story with their permission. Tim and his wife Theresa, a retired couple in their 60s from Eagle River, Wisconsin, were the guests whose trip crossed the 2 billion guest arrival rubicon on Airbnb.1 We connected with the couple to learn about their trip and what using Airbnb means to them.
The trip that marked 2 billion
In October, Tim and Theresa took a multigenerational trip to Sandy, Utah, with their kids and grandchildren, and stayed at this Guest Favorite listing, among the most-loved homes on Airbnb. All 12 of them, eight adults and four grandchildren could stay in a listing that’s in the top 5 percent of all Airbnbs, globally.
Tim and Theresa told us they booked the listing because of the great reviews and its proximity to beautiful scenery and activities nearby. They attended Oktoberfest at Snowbird, floated in the Homestead Crater, learned about the history of Salt Lake City on a trolley tour, toured “This is the Place” Heritage Park, Olympic Park, and Park City, and hiked on many of the area trails.
Multigenerational family travel grew by more than 35% on Airbnb during the first half of this year, where older adults, which could be family members or grandparents, booked stays with kids or grandchildren.2
Why they choose Airbnb
Tim and Theresa told us they’ve stayed in more than 20 Airbnb listings in the last couple of years and specifically chose the platform as an alternative to hotels because of the personalized experience, the unique spaces and hosts, and the ability to cook in outfitted kitchens. With nearly 90 percent of Airbnb listings having a kitchen, Tim said listings often feel like a home away from home, as opposed to a hotel where you’re often living out of a suitcase.
A couple of years ago, they took a two month trip to Australia, where they stayed in 11 Airbnb listings spanning the south of the country, up the east coast, and eventually ending in the northeast. While planning the trip, Tim and Theresa sought to stay with Airbnb hosts in Rooms listings. They told us that staying with hosts made them feel more comfortable because they could bounce activity recommendations off of their hosts and get first-hand tips on where to go and what to do while in the community.
Tim told us that each of the 11 listings and respective hosts were wonderful, but one stood out: A Room listing in Camden Park, Australia, hosted by Peter and Arron, provided an experience they’ll never forget. Beyond the listing itself, Tim told us that Peter and Arron went above and beyond to make them feel welcome, calling it an outstanding experience. Tim said they still keep in touch with Peter and Arron and check in to see how they’re doing.
Theresa also mentioned that she appreciates how easy it is to navigate the Airbnb app and feels comfortable searching for and booking stays on the app.
Nights booked on our app during Q2 2024 increased 19% year-over-year and now comprises 55% of total nights booked.3
Where to next?
Tim and Theresa told us that they have a bucket list and intend to travel more and explore in the next 10 years. The list includes fully experiencing the northeast of the US, Norway and Africa. These will be in addition to staying out of the deep cold that comes to Eagle River, WI, on an annual basis, and they intend to use Airbnb for each upcoming adventure. We’re proud to have Tim and Theresa as our loyal guests and will continue to innovate and build our platform in a way that puts our users first.
We’re also proud of how we got to 2 billion guest arrivals. What began as a way to share a spare room has blossomed into a global community that allows families and friends to connect with hosts around the world, creating memories in spaces that feel like home. From city apartments to mountaintop cabins, each listing offers a unique experience—and for many travelers, it’s the difference between a manufactured experience and an unforgettable adventure.
