As a host, providing your guests with more than just a place to stay can set your listing apart. Curating local experience packages adds value to their trip by offering unique, personalized experiences that highlight the best your area has to offer. Whether it’s exploring hidden gems, indulging in local cuisine, or immersing themselves in cultural activities, experience packages can elevate your listing and leave guests with unforgettable memories. Here’s how to create compelling local experience packages for your Airbnb.
1. Understand Your Guest Demographic
Before curating experience packages, it’s important to understand who your guests are and what they’re looking for in their stay. Consider the following:
- Families: Families with children may appreciate packages that include visits to kid-friendly attractions, outdoor adventures, or family-style dining recommendations.
- Couples: Romantic getaways could feature packages with candlelit dinners, wine tastings, or sunset views.
- Solo Travelers: Solo travelers may seek adventure or relaxation, such as guided hikes, yoga classes, or cooking lessons.
- Business Travelers: Business travelers might appreciate low-key activities like spa services, local coffee shop recommendations, or cultural experiences that fit into a busy schedule.
Tailoring your experiences to your typical guests’ preferences will make them feel like the package was designed specifically for their trip, adding value and a personal touch.
2. Highlight Local Attractions and Hidden Gems
One of the best ways to curate a local experience package is by showcasing the top attractions in your area. But don’t stop at the obvious tourist spots—include hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path experiences that only locals know.
- Popular Attractions: Highlight must-see landmarks, museums, or scenic spots that your area is known for. For example, if your property is near a famous beach, national park, or historical site, include it in the package.
- Hidden Gems: Offer recommendations for lesser-known attractions like quiet nature trails, local markets, or secret viewpoints. These hidden gems can give guests an authentic experience that they wouldn’t find in a guidebook.
- Seasonal Highlights: Consider seasonal events or attractions such as festivals, farmers’ markets, or holiday-themed activities. Curate packages based on what’s happening locally during your guests’ stay.
Providing a mix of well-known and hidden attractions helps guests explore the area like a local while ensuring they don’t miss out on any must-see sights.
3. Partner with Local Businesses
Collaborating with local businesses is a fantastic way to offer unique experiences while supporting your community. Partnering with nearby vendors can lead to exciting, curated packages that feature everything from dining to adventure.
- Dining Packages: Partner with local restaurants to offer dining experiences. For example, guests could enjoy a farm-to-table meal, take part in a wine-pairing dinner, or receive a discount at a popular restaurant nearby. You could even include a meal delivery service from a local café or bakery.
- Adventure Packages: Collaborate with outdoor activity providers to create adventure packages. This could include guided hikes, kayaking trips, cycling tours, or even hot-air balloon rides. Make sure these experiences align with your guests’ preferences and the local environment.
- Cultural Experiences: Reach out to local artists, artisans, or cultural guides to offer immersive experiences such as pottery workshops, art tours, cooking classes, or traditional dance performances. These intimate, hands-on activities allow guests to experience the local culture up close.
- Wellness Packages: If your property is near a spa, yoga studio, or wellness center, consider curating a wellness retreat package. This could include massages, yoga classes, meditation sessions, or even aromatherapy workshops.
By working with local businesses, you not only enhance your guests’ experience but also foster community connections and support the local economy.
4. Create Themed Packages
Themed experience packages can add a layer of personalization and fun to your offering. Whether it’s a seasonal theme or one based on local traditions, these packages make your listing more attractive to travelers seeking unique, all-in-one experiences.
- Seasonal Themes: Create packages around seasons or holidays, such as a “Winter Wonderland” package that includes ice skating, hot chocolate at a local café, and a visit to a holiday market. In summer, you could offer a “Beach Escape” package with surf lessons, a beach picnic, and tickets to a waterfront event.
- Local Cuisine Packages: A food-themed package can showcase local flavors. Partner with a local chef to offer cooking classes, or arrange a food tour that highlights the best eateries, street food vendors, or wineries in the area.
- Outdoor Adventure Packages: If your Airbnb is near natural attractions, curate an outdoor adventure package that includes hiking, biking, rock climbing, or stargazing. Include all the details your guests need, from gear rental to maps or guides.
- Art and Culture Packages: Curate a cultural immersion package with tickets to local galleries, museum tours, or theater performances. Guests could take part in a pottery class, jewelry-making workshop, or visit an artisan market.
Offering themed packages provides guests with an all-encompassing experience that saves them time while ensuring they have memorable activities aligned with their interests.
5. Offer Exclusive and VIP Experiences
One way to set your Airbnb listing apart is by offering exclusive or VIP experiences that are not available to the general public. These curated experiences create a sense of luxury and exclusivity, elevating your guest’s stay.
- Private Tours: Arrange private guided tours of local landmarks, wineries, or art galleries. Exclusive tours allow guests to explore the destination with personalized attention.
- Private Chef or In-House Dining: For a luxurious touch, collaborate with a local chef to offer in-house dining experiences. Guests can enjoy a multi-course meal prepared at your property, making it perfect for special occasions like anniversaries or birthdays.
- Exclusive Tickets: Offer guests VIP tickets or access to exclusive events in your area. Whether it’s a concert, a theater performance, or a local festival, getting special treatment will make their stay unforgettable.
- Behind-the-Scenes Access: Partner with local artisans or businesses to offer behind-the-scenes experiences, such as a tour of a family-owned vineyard, a brewery tour with the brewmaster, or a pottery-making session in an artist’s studio.
Exclusive experiences not only offer luxury and personal attention but also create moments that guests are more likely to rave about in reviews.
6. Provide Detailed Itineraries and Convenience
Once you’ve curated your experience packages, make it easy for guests to enjoy them by providing detailed itineraries and handling any necessary bookings or arrangements. Convenience is key when offering these packages:
- Itinerary: Provide guests with a detailed itinerary that outlines each experience, its location, and the best times to visit. Including insider tips, such as when to avoid crowds or where to find the best views, adds value to their experience.
- Booking Assistance: Help guests book their experiences by providing contact information or handling the bookings yourself. Offering to manage reservations ensures that guests don’t need to spend time coordinating logistics.
- Transportation Tips: If transportation is necessary, offer guidance on getting to and from each experience. Whether it’s walking directions, public transportation options, or arranging a local ride service, making transportation easy increases the likelihood that guests will participate in the package.
By offering clear instructions and convenience, you take the guesswork out of planning, allowing your guests to focus on enjoying their stay.
7. Market Your Experience Packages
Once you’ve curated your local experience packages, it’s important to promote them effectively. Here are some ways to market your packages:
- Highlight in Your Airbnb Listing: Update your listing description to mention that you offer curated experience packages. Highlight the themes and local experiences, and include photos that capture the essence of each package.
- Send a Pre-Arrival Message: After a guest books, send a pre-arrival message detailing your experience packages. Include descriptions and pricing to encourage them to add one to their stay.
- Leverage Social Media: Use social media platforms to showcase your experience packages with photos, videos, and guest testimonials. This helps attract new bookings and sets your listing apart from others.
- Create a Welcome Book: Include information about the experience packages in a welcome book at your property. Guests may be more likely to opt for a package once they’ve arrived and are excited to explore.
Conclusion
Curating local experience packages for your Airbnb listing allows you to offer more than just accommodation—it creates a unique, memorable experience for your guests. By tailoring packages to your guests’ preferences, collaborating with local businesses, and providing personalized itineraries, you can enhance their stay and foster deeper connections with your destination. Offering these curated experiences not only boosts guest satisfaction but also increases the likelihood of glowing reviews and return visits.
