“We’re seeing a little blurring between traveling and living.”
That’s what Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky told the New York Times, about the company’s future as it prepares to go public after a whiplash year. Despite laying off a quarter of its workforce in the spring, Chesky told the Times he anticipates strong demand as people flee dense cities and seek respite in more remote areas. The average length of stay at an Airbnb has increased by 58% since May, and more people are working from their home away from home. Digital nomadism — working remotely while traveling — used to be a trend among a certain Millennial work-life-balance influencer set, but the ability to work from anywhere has turned these aspirations into reality for many. Although bookings are up, Airbnb is still racing to tackle some of its other problems, including racial bias on the platform and pandemic house parties.
