Airbnb Expands into Ticketing and Plans Guest Financial Hub

Airbnb is developing a standalone tickets business and a new guest wallet, according to job listings posted on its careers site this July. The company has not made public announcements regarding these initiatives.

The job postings detail roles for senior leaders to expand a tickets team. This team is described as a "new and fast-growing business spanning attractions, tours, and live events." One listing seeks a product marketing and management leader, while another is for a senior strategy and operations lead. This operations role will focus on adding supply, selling tickets, and increasing gross booking value, requiring experience with reservation systems and both primary and secondary ticket providers.

The tickets storefront is already operational within Airbnb's Experiences tab. It offers admission to venues such as the Empire State Building and the Colosseum, available independently of a stay booking.

Separately, Airbnb is hiring for a product manager to develop a "Wallet," which the company describes as "Airbnb’s new financial hub for guests." This wallet is intended to combine payment methods, stored value, and credits. It aims to make Airbnb a financial centre that encourages repeat engagement between trips, similar to models used by other platforms for stored balances. The Wallet is also designed to support an upcoming perks-based loyalty program.

These developments align with Airbnb's recent strategy to offer more than just short-term rentals. Skift reports that Airbnb chose to build these capabilities internally rather than acquire existing companies, such as Tiqets, which Expedia later purchased. Airbnb reportedly gained around $70 million from its stake in Tiqets.

While the job listings signal Airbnb's intentions, the Wallet has not yet launched, and specific revenue figures for its ticketing business remain undisclosed. Airbnb has previously paused ambitions in areas like its Experiences platform.

For property owners and guests, this means Airbnb is working to broaden its offerings beyond accommodation. The goal is to keep users engaged with the platform more often, potentially leading to a more integrated travel planning experience.