Airbnb, a lodging marketplace primarily offering vacation rentals, saw a revolution in the payments module coming, which could lead CEO Brian Chesky to accept crypto for a variety of services.
The decision to consider crypto as payment was decided after Chesky has called for a poll on Twitter where users can suggest any important suggestions for 2022.
Of the 4000 new suggestions received for his Twitter poll on 3 January 2022 from his over 400,000 followers, crypto payments were on the top, followed by five other suggestions that included clear pricing displays, guest loyalty program, updated cleaning fees, more long-term stays & discounts, and better customer service.
Chesky also said that in the future users will be allowed to pay in many cryptocurrencies and this will not be limited to one of two coins.
Many companies while starting crypto payments services always opt for only two or a maximum of three coins that include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT).
Airbnb, which has been accepting various payment methods from cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal has received over $336 billion since it started operations in 2013.
In the suggestion on crypto payments, many users have asked Chesky for all payments through BTC, ETH, and Shiba Inu (SHIB).
SHIB coin is the most popular crypto coin today and has over a million holders. Early investors in this coin have become millionaires by the massive adoption of this coin globally.
In an interview with The Verge in November 2021, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky stated that he was exploring the issue of tokens and meta universes and believed that there is a future to cryptocurrency and the meta world.
However, he did not take any decision as he feels that the service and the cryptocurrency business might have a tight partnership based on trust principles.
Even during a media interaction at the end of December of 2020, Brian Chesky discussed his vision for the future of the cryptocurrency market as well as their relationship with the tourism industry, but due to widespread speculations in the sector decided not to introduce payment services by using cryptocurrencies.
Airbnb is not the first company in the tourism sector to allow crypto payments, Travala.com is one of the first world’s leading blockchain-based travel booking platforms that allows hotels and flight booking by using cryptocurrencies.
By using Travala.com, users can book flight tickets and make over 3 million-plus hotel bookings at the click of your mouse.
People now know about cryptocurrency and the benefits decentralized finances can provide at large. They are also aware of the technological advancements like artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, cloud technology, and how the cryptocurrency based on blockchain technology is changing the banking & finance sector globally, Airbnb CEO said.
One of the major reasons for Airbnb allowing crypto payments is that it is easier for a person traveling to another country and making a booking in cryptocurrency because the price of cryptocurrency is always the same.
If you have to book through fiat currency or card payments, lots of money gets deducted as service charges and exchange rates.
Cryptocurrency payment alternatives can really ease the payment methods and save a lot of money for regular travelers as well as support the tourism industry.
