Airbnb Plus Comes to Shanghai
Liao Shumin
DATE:  Mar 29 2018
/ SOURCE:  Yicai
Airbnb Plus Comes to Shanghai Airbnb Plus Comes to Shanghai

(Yicai Global) March 29 -- Short-term lodging platform Airbnb Inc., which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, is following through on plans to focus on China and introduce a new Airbnb Plus rating system in the country's most populous city.

Shanghai will be one of the first 13 cities across the world to roll out Airbnb Plus, the company said at a press briefing in the metropolis today. Under the system, each home listed is verified for quality and comfort by Airbnb staff in person. 

Airbnb Plus guarantees homes that are "one-of-a-kind, thoughtfully designed, and equipped with a standard set of amenities," according to the Airbnb website. "Airbnb Plus is a new selection of only the highest quality homes with hosts known for great reviews and attention to detail."

Co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk said in December that San Francisco-based Airbnb would look to make China its biggest market by 2020, after dwelling numbers doubled to 150,000 and user numbers almost quadrupled to 2.25 million last year.

Airbnb has already set up a dedicated review team in China and will make appraisals in line with international standards, said Pan Ji, vice president of operations management in China. The company will also work with partners to help landlords design the layouts of their homes.

The firm unveiled its latest global strategy on Feb. 22, adding four new property types to its service: Vacation Homes, Unique, Bed and Breakfast and Boutiques. It also introduced Airbnb Plus and Airbnb Beyond, which is used to rent out luxury homes.

Follow Yicai Global on
Keywords:   Airbnb,China Strategy