Airbnb’s New Social Tool Allows Guests to Message Their Travel Buddies

Airbnb has launched an update to its Experiences platform, rolling out new social tools that help guests connect before, during, and after their booked activities.

A highlight of the update is “Who’s Going” in group activities. This feature allows users to view details about other participants, including their home countries, before booking an Airbnb Experience.

Travelers can message each other directly in the app and view a new “Connections” section on their profiles, showing people they’ve met during past activities.

Airbnb emphasizes that guests retain control over their privacy and visibility settings, deciding what personal information to share and who can contact them.

The company also responded to host feedback and now allows them to set different cancellation policies for specific dates, such as peak holidays or low-demand periods, providing more flexibility to manage pricing and occupancy.

In early 2026, hosts will gain access to a redesigned earnings dashboard, offering insights into year-over-year trends, seasonality, and personalized price recommendations for dates up to a year in advance.

The rollout also includes improvements in search and discovery tools.

Guests will now see broader search suggestions, including listings that slightly fall outside their chosen filters, such as nearby areas, alternative amenities, or different price points, helping them discover options they might otherwise miss.

The map interface has been enhanced as well, allowing users to tap on landmarks and attractions near properties to check distances before or after booking.

Finally, Airbnb's AI-powered assistant now supports English, Spanish, and French across the US, Mexico, and Canada. The assistant offers personalized responses based on user data and can perform tasks like modifying or canceling bookings directly within the chat interface.

Photo by Arthur Poulin on Unsplash