Airbnb, the world’s leading online accommodation booking platform, says the number of travelers and accommodations booked through their website is almost back to pre-COVID-19 levels, as reported by the BBC.
Interestingly, the company disclosed a record-breaking profit of USD55 million in quarter four. The number of nights booked in cities during the past three months of 2021 was extremely close to matching figures from 2019 levels and urban bookings in the US have rebouded completely, according to Airbnb.
While cities have always been a popular destinations on the website, however non-urban areas have been increasingly more sought after since the start of the pandemic, since travelers were favoring outdoor activities.
Urban booking made up 49 percent of the total number of nights booked during the last three months of last year, explained Airbnb.
The platform has predicted booking in in quarter one of 2022 to finally exceed pre-pandemic levels.
According to the statement, “The fourth quarter was another record quarter and 2021 was the best year in Airbnb’s history – despite the global pandemic. We are amidst the biggest change to travel since the advent of commercial flying. Airbnb’s adaptable model and relentless innovation are making it possible for us to grow this new category of travel we created.”
Notably, the total revenue in quarter four totaled USD1.5 billion, which is 38 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2019 and approximately 80 more than 2020. Additionally, the quarter’s net income valued at USD55 million, which is a USD3.9 billion increase from the same quarter in 2020.
2021’s Highlights
In the article, the company listed the following “business Highlights.
- “Guests are discovering thousands of small towns and rural communities on Airbnb.”
- “Guests are also returning to cities.”
- “Guests are planning more travel despite variants and surges.”
- “Guests aren’t just traveling on Airbnb—they’re living on Airbnb.”
- “We’re relentlessly innovating to support this new way of traveling.”
- “Our Host community is growing to meet the travel demand.”
New Horizons of Travel
“Nearly two years into the pandemic, it’s now clear that we are undergoing the biggest change to travel since the advent of commercial flying,” a letter to the company’s shareholders read.
“Remote work has untethered many people from the need to be in an office every day. As a result, people are spreading out.”
Airbnb letter to shareholders
Domestic tavel and stays nearby continue to gain popularity over international travel, the company pointed out that there are more and more signs coming up proving that COVID-29 has become less of a concern when it comes to travel.
Photo Credit: Airbnb
