Airbnb may accept cryptocurrency payments in the near future, according to CEO Brian Chesky. This announcement was made after running a Twitter ballot recently. According to Chesky, customers need a range of payment options, and many other companies are doing the same.
If cryptocurrency is adopted as a valid form of payment, it would become part of the following list – Apple Pay, Paypal, Visa, Mastercard and Google Pay. Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Sandbox and Bitcoin dominated the global market in 2021 and are expected to continue doing so. As Airbnb is a giant in the travel sector, it wants to reap the rewards of using cryptocurrency as a payment method.
The Twitter poll results are as follows:
1. Crypto payments
2. Better Pricing displays
3. Guest loyalty programs
4. Updated cleaning fees
5. More long term stays and discounts
6. Better customer service
Current issues faced by crypto users while trying to make international payments is that not all companies accept this form. Companies in the travel sector like Expedia and Booking.com have started accepting cryptocurrency.
Chesky confirmed that most of the items on the Twitter poll list are already being addressed by Airbnb. Airbnb’s revenues since 2013 have been $336 billion and adding a new mode of payment would draw in more customers. This is not the first time that the company’s CEO has talked about offering crypto payments as an option. He is excited about the changes happening around the world and is looking forward to using applications that make life better for regular people. When cryptocurrency is added, a new era in travel is sure to be launched.
