Scope spoke exclusively with Jay Carneyglobal director of policy and communications at Airbnb, on the weight that Argentina takes in the regional market, the exponential growth of users, both guests and hosts, its impact on the local economy and the new updates to the leading experience platform.
Prior to joining the hosting firm, Carney established and led the Global Corporate Affairs organization of amazon for several years. He joined the e-commerce giant from the White Housewhere he worked as press secretary for the then president Barack Obama from 2011 to 2014 and, before that, as communications director for then-Vice President Joe Biden.
The senior Airbnb official left some maxims about the weight that Argentina takes for business in the region. And he assures that the company became a fundamental part of the domestic tourism scene. With 17% growth in booked experiences in the second quarter of 2024, the platform demonstrates its popularity among local travelers, who, it maintains, They represent 50% of the reserves. “Argentines know their country through Airbnb,” he launched.
Likewise, he commented that the personalization of searches, the incorporation of local payment methods and the launch of ICONS These are just some of the initiatives that drive this growth. Furthermore, he opined that the firm he represents proves day by day to be a kind of economic engine in constant motion for the country, by generating income for thousands of hosts and contribute to the development of local communities.
Airbnb: what’s next
Journalist: What are the biggest challenges you have as Airbnb’s global director of policy and communications?
Jay Carney: The biggest challenge is that we are a global company, with a presence in almost all countries, and each place has its own particularities. Although we are global, our focus is local. We do not want to be perceived only as a North American company, but as a platform that adapts to each local community. In each region, we work to understand the specific challenges and opportunities and provide appropriate responses. However, we can’t physically be in every city all the time, which is a challenge, so we work hard to understand what’s happening in each location and offer appropriate care.
Q.: What is Airbnb’s vision about Argentina, its user and the Argentine guest?
J.C.: Argentina is a key market for Airbnb, especially in Latin America, which is one of our fastest growing regions. Argentines are discovering their country through our platform. 50% of those who travel within Argentina choose to stay on Airbnb. In 2024, booked experiences grew by 17% compared to the previous year. Argentina is fundamental for our regional growth.
Q: Would you say that Argentina is one of the most important markets in the region for Airbnb?
J.C.: Absolutely. Argentina is very important for us. It has popular destinations such as San Martín de los Andes, Villa La Angostura and Buenos Aires, which not only attract international visitors, but also locals. Many tourists come from neighboring countries such as Chile, Brazil and Uruguay.
Q: What was the impact of launching ICONS on Airbnb?
J.C.: The response has been incredible. ICONS attracted a lot of attention in the media and social networks, even from people who had never used Airbnb. It allowed us to reach beyond our usual audience. We’ve showcased iconic homes like the X-Men and celebrities in popular locations around the world. Furthermore, we will continue with these types of campaigns over time.
Q: What are the most important updates that Airbnb launches in its winter version?
J.C.: The most important thing is the personalization of the searches. Users can now enjoy a simpler and more fun experience when searching for accommodations. We use custom filters based on your previous searches to make the process more efficient. We are also implementing artificial intelligence to improve the experience for both guests and hosts.
Q: Are you using artificial intelligence at Airbnb?
J.C.: Yes, we are using it in several areas. For example, to help hosts organize photos of their properties and to personalize recommendations for users. We also explored its use in customer service to make that experience more fluid.
Q: How do you handle user privacy when suggesting destinations?
JC: We only use the information that the user voluntarily provides us. Recommendations are based on previous preferences, but we always seek to provide options that may interest users, without imposing them.
Q: What’s new in local payment methods?
Jay: We have added 20 new local payment methods in various countries. We want users to be able to pay in local currency, like in Argentina with pesos or in Brazil with reais. We are working to make these options more accessible, since the exchange rate issue in Argentina represents a challenge for us.
Q: Anything else you want to add about the experience in Argentina?
JC: Yes, 55% of hosts in Argentina are women and 23% of them use their Airbnb income as their main source of income. The company helps much of the money generated stay in the local community, something that does not always happen with international hotel chains. We have also noticed that more than 80% of searches in Argentina are for pet-friendly places.
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In this way, Airbnb launches its winter version more than 50 improvements for guests that make the platform’s app more personalized, including suggested destinations, search filters and personalized highlights on accommodations, all based on the user’s previous trips and search history.
The objective, according to senior officials, is to personalize the entire process, from the search to the reservation. “For decades, travel apps have been the same model for everyone. “Today we are changing that,” he said. Brian Chesky co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. “With dozens of new features, this is the beginning of an Airbnb and a more personalized experience,” he concluded.
Source: Ambito
