Airbnb is dead. But it's also very alive
Out with the vanilla, in with the unique
You’ve probably been hearing it everywhere that airbnb is dying. Complaints are flowing in around fees and a long list of rules. Who really wants to put the rubbish out, clean the house and do the dishes before leaving when you’re on holiday?
Airbnb is absolutely dead for mediocre and entitled hosts.
There is this invisible energy that is impossible to ignore. Like a mirror. In 2025, if you are a host, and you don’t treat your role seriously then you will receive less bookings, and the bookings you do receive will be much more likely to cause a problem. Because if you don’t respect your place, how can you expect them too?
Often on the reddit pages you see hosts complaining about their guests. But are they looking at the experience they’re providing? Or are they just expecting to collect a massive paycheck for providing a roof over someones head for the night?
Hotels are back in. They will replace the bad hosts.
But the hotels still are not winning against airbnb.
The winners, standing out from the crowd, with the title of Hospitality Kings and Queens are those who are providing unique experiences and going above and beyond for their guests.
You see, Hotels are back for the overnight generic stays. But airbnb is now the unique experience platform.
And the marketplace can not get enough of it.
We have entered a world that has become the Truman show. Urban sprawl expands like an ugly smog across the landscapes, with each home looking identical and houses so close together that people can almost hear their neighbour going to the toilet, it has become a rebellion to escape this matrix and to seek out a home that has charm, character and uniqueness. For the sanity of the soul and for some energetic rejuvenation.
Unique experiences are the new consumerism.
So all of you travellers, Geo-arbitraging across the world. Maybe you can consider doing what I did. Maybe you can look at doing your apprenticeship as a guest in unique experiences while you travel. Take notes on what you loved and what you didn’t. Keep these notes.
Once you’ve done this, you have an edge that the rest of the world doesn’t. You’ve gathered data as a student and researcher. Armed with this data you can go and create your own unique experience.
If you do this well, you’ll create freedom and independence to travel the world, fuelled by the cashflow you receive from giving people an experience. This is a marketplace that isn’t going away. It is exciting. As travellers, we are always for grateful for the experiences others provide us. It can make or break our view on a city or an entire country.
What can you create? We’re excited. We’re building a community, and we’d love you to be a part of it. Stay tuned. Share in the comments some of your favourite stays around the world. Let’s see the outcomes.
