Airbnb Experiences was born as an extension of accommodation: if you were already visiting a city, why not also do an activity with a local? The concept worked, and today thousands of guides around the world offer experiences through the platform.
But Airbnb Experiences has a very specific profile, and doesn't always fit well with active tourism businesses that offer guided activities with groups, fixed schedules and limited spots.
Quick comparison: Airbnb Experiences vs Outvia
| Airbnb Experiences | Outvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Commission per booking | 20% | 0% |
| Direct customer contact | Limited (until 24h before) | Yes, from the moment of booking |
| Price control | Full | Full |
| Ideal activity type | Unique, local, small group experiences | Active tourism with groups, schedules and spots |
| Advance payment | Yes (managed by Airbnb) | Yes (managed by you via Stripe) |
| WhatsApp confirmations | No | Yes |
| Cancellation policy | Airbnb's | Yours |
| Model | Intermediary marketplace | Direct sales tool |
Commissions: the 20% that isn't always calculated properly
Airbnb Experiences charges 20% commission on each booking.
Example: you offer a hiking route at €50 per person, with groups of 8. That's €400 per trip.
- Airbnb takes: €80
- You receive: €320
With 15 trips per month: €1,200/month in commissions — per year: €14,400.
With Outvia, the commission per booking is zero.
The type of activity that works on Airbnb Experiences
Airbnb Experiences works better for niche activities, small groups and very personal profiles. If your business is an active tourism company with multiple guides and groups of 8–15 people, the fit can be complicated.
Customer contact: the most frustrating restriction
You can't share contact details outside the platform until 24 hours before the activity. With Outvia, you have their contact from the first moment.
Cancellation policy: yours vs Airbnb's
Airbnb applies its own cancellation policy. With Outvia, you define your own conditions.
Visibility: the argument for Airbnb
Airbnb has hundreds of millions of registered users. The downside is that you compete with thousands of providers and the customer never fully becomes yours.
Who is Airbnb Experiences for?
- You offer a very personal and unique experience
- You work alone or with very small groups (2–6 people)
- Your main customer already uses Airbnb for accommodation
- You don't have your own channel and need a quick way to start
Who is Outvia for?
- You have an active tourism business with regular departures and groups
- You want to charge in advance and manage spots in real time
- You need to communicate directly with customers via WhatsApp
- You want to eliminate marketplace dependence
Conclusion
Airbnb Experiences is an entry point for individual guides and very local experiences. Outvia is a tool for active tourism businesses that want to grow with control, without giving up 20% of each booking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Airbnb Experiences and Outvia at the same time? Yes. They are complementary tools.
Does Airbnb penalize you if you sell independently? There is no express prohibition on direct selling.
How much does Outvia cost? Fixed monthly subscription, with no per-booking commissions. outvia.app.
Do you offer guided activities and want to start selling without depending on Airbnb? Request access to Outvia.