Inspired by the increase of individuals combining living, working and travel, Airbnb has announced its new program, “Live Anywhere on Airbnb,” allowing twelve individuals to live exclusively in listing on Airbnb for twelve months.
Twelve lucky individuals can bring up to three companions each to make anywhere their home for a year. To help inform future product upgrades and innovations on the platform, Airbnb will ask that the participants share their experiences to better accommodate nomadic living. For the duration of the program, Airbnb will cover the cost of accommodations and provide a transport allowance
According to the Airbnb Report on Travel & Living, stays twenty-eight days or longer on Airbnb increased ten percent in 2021 compared to 2019. Eleven percent of long-term stay bookers in 2021 reported living a nomadic lifestyle. Seventy-four percent of consumers Airbnb surveyed across five countries expressed interest in living somewhere other than their employer base after the pandemic is over.
Through this program, participants will provide real-world insights on features, services, and the experience of living nomadically. This could shape the future of long-term living on Airbnb, including:
- Product changes and resources that could help improve the long-term living experience
- Ideal types of accommodations for solo travellers or groups like families
- Connections to local community members and businesses
- A better understanding of the financial benefits of Hosting while travelling
From young families to remote workers, creatives, and empty nesters, Airbnb is seeking a diverse range of twelve individuals from around the world who can participate in the program for twelve consecutive months, from July 2021 to July 2022.
Participants can also host their primary residence on Airbnb during the program. This is an opportunity to test the experience and opportunity of hosting while living nomadically, with the potential to earn extra money while they travel.
Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for New Zealand and Australia, said, “This is a unique opportunity for Kiwis.” Whether you are an Auckland family wanting to take the kids on an adventure down South, or a beach lover wanting to live in the Bay of Islands, this program aims to give “twelve lucky people (and their companions) ultimate flexibility when it comes to blurring the lines between living, working and travelling.”
Those interested in this nomadic adventure can submit their applications at www.airbnb.com/liveanywhere. Once selected, participants will begin their journeys by communicating with Airbnb product and research team members and Live Anywhere experts, including experienced travelling journalist Imani Bashir.
Applications for Live Anywhere on Airbnb are now open until June 30, 2021. The twelve participants will be selected by the panel in July and will begin travelling in September 2021.
*Participants must be 18 years or older. Each participant will be allowed to bring up to three companions to participate in the program.
**Ten months of the twelve will include travelling to and living in listings on Airbnb, running from July 2021 to July 2022.
