NEWS
Airbnb eyes share of wider travel market
POSTED 23 Sep 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk has previously outlined the company's plans to conquer the Asian market
Online spare room rental service Airbnb is poised to expand its travel offerings through an online marketplace that would enable locals to sell tours and a range of other experiences related to their city.

The plan, which is part of a strategy to build on Airbnb’s success in the accommodation market and transform the company into a hospitality firm, is one of several ways the US-based outfit is bidding to increase its share of traveller’s spending. As of the beginning of this year, Airbnb was operating in 34,000 cities across 192 countries, meaning the potential reach for this new marketplace is enormous.

“We think there’s huge opportunities for other services on top of accommodation,” Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky told The Sunday Telegraph “If I’m coming to London, what do I do in London? We think we have an opportunity to enhance your trip and enhance your experience.”

The fast-growing company recently attracted $500m (€389m £306m) in venture capital and has been reported to be trialling a number of new services outside of its core accommodation market, such as a service that would allow people to sell seats at their dinner table online.

In an interview for the Q1 2014 edition of Leisure Management magazine, Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk outlined the company’s plans to conquer the Asian market with sustained investment across 2014.

“We’ve had properties in Asia for a long time, but for the first time we have critical mass and sustained growth and we’re going to continue to invest over there,” said Blecharczyk.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be doing things on a global scale and to realise that what you’re doing is not only helping individuals but also creating a macro economic trend – the sharing economy. It’s just amazing to be changing the world.”
 


CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
Leisure Management - Airbnb eyes share of wider travel market...
09 Jun 2026 Leisure Management: daily news and jobs
 
 
HOME
JOBS
NEWS
FEATURES
PRODUCTS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
PRINT SUBSCRIPTION
ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
Sign up for FREE ezine
Latest news

23 Sep 2014

Airbnb eyes share of wider travel market
BY Jak Phillips

Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk has previously outlined the company's plans to conquer the Asian market

Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk has previously outlined the company's plans to conquer the Asian market

Online spare room rental service Airbnb is poised to expand its travel offerings through an online marketplace that would enable locals to sell tours and a range of other experiences related to their city.

The plan, which is part of a strategy to build on Airbnb’s success in the accommodation market and transform the company into a hospitality firm, is one of several ways the US-based outfit is bidding to increase its share of traveller’s spending. As of the beginning of this year, Airbnb was operating in 34,000 cities across 192 countries, meaning the potential reach for this new marketplace is enormous.

“We think there’s huge opportunities for other services on top of accommodation,” Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky told The Sunday Telegraph “If I’m coming to London, what do I do in London? We think we have an opportunity to enhance your trip and enhance your experience.”

The fast-growing company recently attracted $500m (€389m £306m) in venture capital and has been reported to be trialling a number of new services outside of its core accommodation market, such as a service that would allow people to sell seats at their dinner table online.

In an interview for the Q1 2014 edition of Leisure Management magazine, Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk outlined the company’s plans to conquer the Asian market with sustained investment across 2014.

“We’ve had properties in Asia for a long time, but for the first time we have critical mass and sustained growth and we’re going to continue to invest over there,” said Blecharczyk.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be doing things on a global scale and to realise that what you’re doing is not only helping individuals but also creating a macro economic trend – the sharing economy. It’s just amazing to be changing the world.”



Connect with
Leisure Management
Magazine:
View issue contents
Sign up:
Instant Alerts/zines

Print edition
 

News headlines
Hoshino Resorts combats summer heat with medically-supervised cool bathing programme for KAI onsen
Hoshino Resorts combats summer heat with medically-supervised cool bathing programme for KAI onsen   09 Jun 2026

Hoshino Resorts has developed a “Cool-down onsen soak” programme at properties with Japanese onsen facilities – those within the company’s KAI .... more>>

Peloton signals potential move into reformer Pilates with Skōp acquisition
Peloton signals potential move into reformer Pilates with Skōp acquisition   09 Jun 2026

Peloton has made the strategic acquisition of Pilates start-up, Skōp, to support the expansion of its strength ecosystem.

....
more>>
Rainforest immersion and mindfulness are on offer at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, for Global Wellness Day
Rainforest immersion and mindfulness are on offer at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, for Global Wellness Day   09 Jun 2026

The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day (GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful .... more>>

Crunch Fitness creates more affordable reformer Pilates concept
Crunch Fitness creates more affordable reformer Pilates concept   09 Jun 2026

Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept designed to bring this fast growing, but rather .... more>>

As the 20th State of the Industry Report is released, LeisureDB rebrands to Evolve
As the 20th State of the Industry Report is released, LeisureDB rebrands to Evolve   08 Jun 2026

The 20th State of the Industry Report from LeisureDB has revealed a resilient, expanding and competitive sector, the importance of .... more>>

Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale
Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale   08 Jun 2026

Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver .... more>>

Company profile


Active IQ

Active IQ is the UK’s leading Ofqual-recognised Awarding Organisation for the Physical Activity sector.

View full profile>>

Catalogue gallery


Featured Supplier

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect

CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. More>>




in this issue

• Virgin gets right to wipe out rent arrears
• Fitness industry mourns passing of Jan Spaticchia
• STA offers mindfulness resources



Latest jobs

Jobs Search



Membership Advisor
Salary: Competitive salary plus commission & benefits
Location: Market Rasen
Company: Everyone Active
Customer Service Advisor
Salary: Competitive
Location: Market Rasen
Company: Everyone Active
GP Exercise Referral Instructor
Salary: £33,000pa + benefits
Location: Harrow
Company: Everyone Active
Diary dates
Powered by leisurediary.com

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland







Published by Leisure Media Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 | Contact us | About us | © Cybertrek Ltd