From traditional ryokans to manga-themed stays: Top 10 most wishlisted Airbnb Stays for your next trip to Japan

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It’s time to include Japan on your travel destination list! The Land of the Rising Sun fully reopened for visa-free, individual travel earlier this month and the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines has announced that they are now accepting applications for all visas.

According to latest data from an Airbnb survey conducted among Filipinos this October, 9 in 10 Filipino adults intend to travel to Japan when they are able to and 45 percent ranked Japan their number one travel wishlist destination. The data also showed that 71 percent of Filipino respondents would like to visit a major city in Japan. Approximately a third indicated that having a unique accommodation was important when traveling to Japan.*

Airbnb has further revealed the top searched destinations in Japan by global travelers on the platform:**

1. Osaka

2. Tokyo

3. Shinjuku

4. Shibuya

5. Fukuoka

6. Kyoto

7. Taito

8. Sapporo

9. Okinawa

10. Niseko

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “We greatly welcome the lifting of Japan’s travel restrictions, as it is an extremely popular destination for international travelers including Filipinos. We know that many are excitedly gearing up to plan holidays for the end-of-year festive season and next year.”

Whether you want to immerse yourself in the buzzy vibes of downtown Tokyo, indulge in Osaka’s incredible culinary scene, or go off-the-beaten-track and discover something new in lesser known but equally beautiful regions like Tohoku — Japan definitely has something to offer for every type of traveler. To help you plan your much-awaited adventure, here are Airbnb’s top 10 most globally wishlisted stays in Japan.*** Dou itashimashite!

For a taste of Japanese living

● [Private room] An old folk house guest house with a goat! Equipped with Wi-Fi - Matakitai (Iwate)

● [Inn house] Yanagi-dori west wing Asakusa A modern Japanese-style luxury house with an open-air bath limited to two people (Tokyo)

For an eccentric yet exciting experience

● Handmade strawbale house Tida House (Hokkaido)

● MANGA design, all-you-can-read comics, 1 bed, free snacks included, free WIFI [Hotel Tavinos Kyoto] (Kyoto)

For the minimalist enthusiast

● 4beds in Tokyo/3min. from the station : Studio B (Tokyo)

● 【Ginza/Tokyo area】 Junior Suite (Free Wi-Fi) (Tokyo)

● YANAKA SOW STANDARD TWIN (Tokyo)

● [Shinagawa Oimachi] Good access to the airport and Shinkansen! A stylish designer hotel that can be used for both business and travel (Tokyo)

For some off-grid exploration

● Enjoy the superb view of Lake Nojiri, a detached house with private sauna Anoie (Nagano)

● Elegant, secluded cabin for couples & families (Nagano)

As travel returns, Airbnb recently announced an exciting new partnership with MUJI Japan to renovate empty homes, shopfronts and government-owned real estate to drive new and creative types of travel accommodation in towns across the country. To start, both parties are converting accommodation owned by Shimizu-cho, Hokkaido into unique stays for travelers – with two MUJI-designed and styled homes now bookable exclusively on Airbnb here and here. Both feature local Hokkaido timber furniture and MUJI-branded tableware, cooking utensils, and home appliances.

*Based on data from a YouGov survey commissioned by Airbnb, that polled 1063 respondents in the Philippines between 6-12 October 2022.

**Based on guest locations that generated the most searches for Japan on the day of the

Japanese government’s announcement, 23 September.

***Based on most wishlisted listing data from Sept 1 - Sept 22, 2022. All Homes referenced are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific Home listings on the Airbnb platform.

Beko Sends Love This Christmas With Big Savings, Vacation Travel Trips

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When we talk about Christmas, all we can think about is the merry jingles, festive food, and the smiles we see as everyone prepares their gifts.

After two years of the pandemic, restrictions have been eased, and we are now adapting to the new normal. Regardless of the difficulties, the holiday season in the Philippines will always be a truly wonderful time, and it is something that every Filipino looks forward to.

To celebrate the season of holidays and the spirit of giving back, the European appliance brand, Beko, will make our Christmas merrier with "Beko Sends Love This Christmas." They'll give away big cash discounts with free items and raffle prizes such as fuel cards and exciting family vacation trip packages.

With "Beko Sends Love This Christmas," you can make your Christmas appliance wishlist come true as you save up to PHP 21,000 when you purchase Beko's appliances, including washing machines, freestanding cookers, air conditioners, and refrigerators. Make it merrier when you also score some free items with your purchases, including a coffee maker and a handheld iron.

Starting on October 1, Beko will choose five (5) winners weekly of free fuel cards worth PHP 5,000. For the grand prize, Beko will pick three (3) winners of family travel packages; 1 family travel trip to Boracay, one family travel trip to Coron, and one family travel trip to Davao.

To join, you need to purchase a single receipt of Beko products amounting to Php 10,000 or more from October 1-December 31, 2022 from All Home, Anson’s, Appliance Centrum, Asian Home Appliance, Fair N Square, Gloria Bazaar, Great World, HAT, J Marketing, Lazada, Magic Appliance Center, Manhattan Appliance, Manila Imperial, Mike’s Appliances, Pricewise, Robinsons Appliances, Savers, Shopee, SM Appliances, Solidmark, S&R (Gidi), Western Appliance and 1st Megasaver.

Any single receipt purchase worth Php 10,000 to Php 26,000 entitles you to one (1) raffle ticket. Participants will receive two (2) raffle entries for purchases ranging from Php 26,001 to 40,000 and three (3) raffle entries for purchases ranging from Php 40,001 and above.

Once the purchase has been made, the buyer must register online via http://www.bekopromos.ph. Upon confirmation of entry, Beko will send the raffle entry number/s within 72 hours of registration. Once the raffle number/s have been received, participants will get a chance to be part of the 60 lucky winners of free fuel cards worth PHP 5,000 and the three lucky winners of family travel packages.

The winners will be announced on Beko's official Facebook page, and winners will be notified via their registered email addresses.

Indeed, with Beko, the holiday season can feel livelier and more exciting to look forward to!

For more information about Beko in the Philippines, go to http://beko.ph or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph and their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/bekoph/.

Airbnb launches $10M OMG! Fund for the world’s craziest listing ideas

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●     The fund will give 100 people US$100,000 each to design and build the most unique spaces around the world

●     Hosting on Airbnb continues to empower local communities, as Filipino Airbnb Hosts earned over $37M in 2021

Airbnb is on the hunt for the world’s craziest spaces — and will help foot the bill to build them. Whether it’s the next boot, UFO house, or giant potato, the first-of-its-size US$10,000,000 OMG! Fund is seeking ideas from existing and aspiring designers, architects, DIYers, and makers from around the globe. The fund's $10 million will help finance 100 of the craziest ideas, giving 100 people an opportunity to turn them into actual Airbnb OMG! Category listings, which are Airbnb’s collection of the most unique homes.

Starting today, anyone with an out-of-this-world idea can submit an application at airbnb.com/omgfund. One hundred people with the 100 craziest ideas will receive US$100,000¹ each to make their creations possible and, ultimately, bookable. Ideas will be judged by an expert panel for their originality, feasibility, the experience the space will provide guests, and sustainability. 

 

The fund is shaped in part by the growing trend of flexible living that has emerged in the past two years. As part of this shift, Airbnb guests are craving more unexpected spaces that become the destinations themselves, and Airbnb Categories, which launched last month, provide a new way to search for these spaces. More than 30,000 unique listings across the world were added to Airbnb in 2021 and the OMG! Category - which has one of the highest rates of engagement among guests browsing Airbnb - showcases the craziest amongst them, making it easy for guests to discover these listings in places they wouldn't have otherwise looked.

Hosting on Airbnb provides powerful economic benefits to Hosts. In 2021, all Hosts total earnings in the Philippines reached US$37.7 million, providing locals with important income during the pandemic². Additionally, nights booked at unique properties increased globally by over 49 percent from 2019 to 2021³.

Airbnb Superhost OMG! Fund judging panelist Kristie Wolfe

“When the Idaho Potato Commission retired a six-ton prop potato, I took it off their hands and spent $32,000 transforming it into an Airbnb,” Airbnb Superhost OMG! Fund judging panelist Kristie Wolfe said. “I went from making $13/hr to seeing $208,0005 in earnings in less than three years, and leveraged that income to bootstrap my way through additional listings that allow me to express my creativity and connect with hundreds of people in the process.”

Applications will be reviewed by a judging panel of boundary-pushing design authorities, an architectural expert, and an Airbnb OMG! Category Superhost:

●     Iris Apfel, incomparable and irreverent centenarian style icon

●     Koichi Takada, founder of Sydney-based international studio Koichi Takada Architects, known for emotive design inspired by the natural world

●     Kristie Wolfe, Airbnb Superhost and prolific creator of OMG! Listings including the Potato Hotel, Crystal Peak Lookout, Big Island Treehouse and Cocoon Cottage

●     Bruce Vaughn, Disney alum, and Airbnb’s VP of Experiential Creative Product

The $10,000,000 OMG! Fund opens today for a period of 30 days, through July 22 at 11:59 am PHT. The 100 fund recipients will be selected by the panel over the next several months, with the intent of having their newly-constructed spaces complete next year. To apply, visit airbnb.com/omgfund.

 

Note:

¹For more information, including a list of eligible countries, see the Official Rules.

²According to Airbnb data of Hosts earnings in 2021

³Kristie Wolfe’s income represents Airbnb earnings from January 2019 to May 31, 2022. Like Kristie,  every Host’s experience hosting is unique. Host earnings vary widely depending on many factors, including availability, price, acceptance and cancellation rates, occupancy rate and the demand in the listing location. Globally, the median earnings for an OMG! Category Host active between Jan 2018 and May 2022 was over $48,000.

 

Finding refuge amidst nature in Hamilo Coast

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WITH the onset of COVID-19, Filipinos and the rest of the world have had to deal with an unprecedented upheaval in their lives: lockdown. Being confined in one’s home for an uncertain duration, with limited movement and access, required drastic adjustment, with some people inevitably experiencing higher levels of anxiety.

Mechanisms for survival took many forms, including preserving as much of a sense of normalcy as strict quarantines allowed. For many, this meant relocating out of the city, away from urban congestion and higher risks of COVID-19 infection, to more open spaces. Communities like Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas, a mere 90-minute drive from Manila, cradled between mountain ridges and the sea, provided ideal locations close to what has proven to be the most powerful antidote to modern chaos: nature itself.

Staying close to nature improves physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

For many Hamilo Coast residents like human resources manager Jessica Clara Belardo, relocating, for the time being, was not a difficult decision. “Due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila, we decided to look for a secure and less crowded place nearby where we could stay for at least a year and avoid exposure. We found out that Hamilo Coast was the perfect fit for our family.”

Hamilo Coast is obviously on to something. In a February 2021 article on the website PositivePsychology.com, Madhuleena Roy Chaudhury wrote about “The Positive Effects of Nature on Your Mental Well-Being.” where she also cited that “staying close to nature improves physical, mental, and spiritual well-being; it makes us feel alive from the inside, and we should not compromise it for recent developments like urbanization, technology, or social media.”

Chaudhury, a psychologist, mentioned a host of other benefits of being close to nature, including emotional regulation and memory, fighting depression, reducing the stress hormone cortisol, and improving focus and creativity.

There are plenty of outdoor activities to do in Hamilo Coast such as biking while enjoying the views of nature.

This is validated by people who now live and work in their Pico De Loro Cove homes in Hamilo Coast after work-from-home arrangements became the norm. With the stress of traffic and commuting eliminated and the option to hold virtual meetings with a view now available, productivity and well-being have increased significantly. “As a working mom, one of the best benefits I have experienced and am still enjoying is the perfect work-life balance,” says Belardo. “I can do my work remotely and take care of my child and family while enjoying the beach and other facilities. Plus, my son is really having a great time here.”

“The free strong WiFi and internet connection are among the benefits,” says finance executive and general manager Willard Mosquito. “Then there are lots of places to work even outside the unit, such as the Beach Club. You can bike and swim during free time on weekends, enjoying the beauty of nature. There’s also a very nice chapel where you can pray, reflect, and meditate.”

Developed by SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo, Inc., Hamilo Coast is considered the first premiere sustainable community in Nasugbu, combining nature and man-made excellence in residential properties and amenities. Many homeowners had, in fact, chosen to settle here even before the lockdowns. When the pandemic came, extra safety and security measures adopted by the Property Management Team on a 24/7 basis, including seeing to homeowners’ needs, made life much easier.

Many homeowners had chosen to settle in Hamilo Coast because the ambience is relaxing, the security is tight, the place is less crowded, safety protocols are being strictly implemented, and the staff is very helpful.

“The ambience of the place is relaxing, the security is tight, the place is less crowded, safety protocols are being strictly implemented, and the staff is very helpful,” says Belardo. “More important, the guards, receptionists, and maintenance guys are very respectful, friendly, and firm on the rules and guidelines,” agrees Mosquito.

Indeed, despite all the chaos in the city, some people have fortunately found an ideal pandemic cocoon.

Hamilo Coast is a master-planned seaside residential community in Nasugbu, Batangas, developed and managed by Costa del Hamilo, Inc., a subsidiary of SM Prime. 

For inquiries, call (632) 7945-8000, check out www.hamilocoast.com, or follow them on www.facebook.com/hamilocoastph or Instagram @hamilocoastph.

Airbnb encourages Pinoys to #TravelAsJuan, as travel searches surge for beachside and nature destinations near Metro Manila

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●     New Airbnb data shows spike in domestic demand for stays after recent easing of travel restrictions; trending destinations include Zambales, Batangas and Tagaytay

●     More Filipinos are searching for getaways lasting a week or longer, at family-friendly villas
and bed and breakfasts

Manila, Philippines,  October 2021 - Airbnb launched its new #TravelAsJuan campaign that aims to energize the Philippines’s tourism recovery throughout the remainder of 2021 and beyond. As part of the campaign, the company is encouraging Filipinos to rediscover their country with their loved ones, while celebrating unique stays and hidden gems across the nation. The #TravelAsJuan campaign also aligns with the Department of Tourism’s 2022 plan to rebuild a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive domestic tourism industry

Responding to the Department of Tourism’s call for Filipinos to become “Ambassadors of Fun”, Airbnb’s #TravelAsJuan will work closely with its community of #AirbnbJuanderers including Filipino Hosts and local content creators. They will shine a light on the country’s off-the-beaten-path destinations, from lesser-known beaches to mountainous getaways and farms, as well as tips for safer travel. The campaign will kickstart by highlighting destinations where intra- and inter-state travel are currently allowed and expand to cover more destinations as more cities and provinces reopen.

 Airbnb is already seeing surging interest in domestic stays as Filipinos look forward to traveling with the platform once more, following the recent easing of travel restrictions. In September, searches for Airbnb Stays in Zambales spiked by over 100% month-over-month* after the government announced travel rules allowing Metro Manila residents to travel to areas under more relaxed quarantine rules. In the same period, searches for Airbnb Stays in Batangas and Tagaytay also almost doubled month-over-month*.

Beachside and nature destinations, especially locations within driving distance of Metro Manila, remain popular among Filipinos. Zambales and Batangas, both popular for their beaches and coves, along with nature-based destinations Tagaytay, Pampanga, and Baguio, are currently the top five trending destinations among Filipino guests on Airbnb. This follows key findings from a YouGov survey conducted earlier in the year, which found that Filipinos want to travel to nature retreats and places within driving distance once they can get back on the road.

The easing of travel restrictions has spurred Filipinos to quickly plan for upcoming trips with their family and loved ones. While Filipino guests on Airbnb are largely searching for Stays with a duration of 1-6 nights, there is a growing trend towards longer domestic getaways of one week and longer, to make up for the past year spent at home. Larger family-friendly Stays are also increasing in popularity, as Filipino guest searches for villas and bed-and-breakfasts spiked by more than 50% month-over-month*. 

As Filipinos eagerly make their travel plans, Gen Zs and Millennials who make up 68% of Airbnb’s community of new Hosts who came onboard the platform in the first half of this year are looking forward to welcoming fellow Pinoys into their homes**.

Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, Airbnb shares: “Filipinos are eagerly anticipating the return of domestic travel, and search trends on Airbnb indicate a strong, positive uptick in travel sentiment as restrictions ease. With our wide variety of unique stays hosted by locals across the Philippines, Airbnb offers something for everyone through our #TravelasJuan campaign, which highlights the wonderful places, experiences and communities that make the Philippines such an incredible place to experience for both locals and visitors alike. Airbnb is committed to being a good partner to the government to rejuvenate the country’s tourism sector; and help drive travel that is more diverse, resilient, and empowering for more people and communities than ever before.”

Safety remains a priority

Health and safety remain a top priority for travelers as they search for upcoming travel accommodation. To that end, Airbnb introduced the Enhanced Clean protocol in June last year, the first overarching standardized guidelines for cleaning and sanitization in the home-sharing industry. Endorsed by the World Travel and Tourism Council, the protocol helps guide Hosts across the Philippines to provide safer and cleaner accommodation for guests.

Airbnb also recently announced a partnership with global provider Sherpa, an online tool that provides travelers with real-time travel information on their destinations. Travelers can access information on COVID-19 related requirements including testing, quarantining and social distancing guidelines. This will help guests plan their trips more effectively as they continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19 regulations.

Note:

*Based on internal Airbnb guest search data in September 2021, as compared to August 2021.

**Based on internal Airbnb data from January to June 2021.

 

CENTURY PARK HOTEL TURNS SAPPHIRE: Monthlong Anniversary Celebration Packages and Treats Await as the Hotel Marks 45 Years

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The pandemic may still be around but for Filipinos, the ber months is the season of celebrations. In true fashion, being joyful amidst troubles and rejoicing over a special occasion is something Pinoys love to do. Whether it is a birthday, wedding, or any special event, commemorating life’s milestones is a way of coming together and giving importance to someone. As a quote from Terence E. Deal goes, “Celebrations infuse life with passion and purpose. They summon the human spirit.”

Century Park Hotel, one of the finest hotels in Manila, has all the reasons to celebrate this September. After its awarding of the Safety Seal Certification, it has also been recently granted Multiple Use Hotel (MUH) status by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Bureau of Quarantine. Non-quarantine and quarantine guests, with the enforcement of stringent health and safety protocols, can now stay and enjoy the hotel.

Essential meetings and social events are also now possible with the Multi-use Hotel status.

This latest development could not have come at a better time as the hotel is holding its Sapphire Anniversary this month.

On its 45th year, Century Park Hotel has prepared celebration packages and treats to mark the occasion.

For only P4,995 net / set, families and barkadas can partake of a gustatory feast good for 8 to 10 pax. The chefs at the hotel prepared a weekly themed cuisine to make for a more fun and enjoyable celebration : Chinese, Japanese, Western and Filipino. Each package comes with a FREE anniversary Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Mousse Cake and P200 off at the Deli Snack.

Chinese Cuisine

Week 1

Mini-pork Buns

Snow Peas & Fried Scallops in Black Beans

Teochew Oyster Cake

Steamed Fresh Prawns

Roast Crackling Pork Char Siu Sauce

Cha Misua

Mango Sago in Custard Sauce

Japanese Cuisine

Week 2

Signature Sushi Rolls

Ankake Ramen

Tofu Furai in Shitake Mushroom Sauce

Salmon Head Teppanyaki

Prawn & Vegetable Tendon

Okonomiyaki

Green Tea Opera Cake

Western Cuisine

Week 3

Ciopinno Mixed Seafood Stew

Jamaican Grilled Chicken

Hickory Spareribs

Baked Mac & Cheese

Kale Salad

Buttered Seasonal Vegetables

Assorted French Pastries

Filipino Cuisine

Week 4

Crispy Pork Belly Kare-Kare

Lengua with Mushroom & Leeks

Grilled Stuffed Squid

Ensaladang Lato

Special Palabok with Squid & Chicharon

Bibingka

Brazo de Mercedez

A one day advance booking is required by calling 8528-5855/56 or sending a message at 09176332497. Transactions can be made through Paypal account at payments@centurypark.com.ph or cash payment / bank transfer to PNB (1702 7000 1013) or BDO (0044 7000 0100). Send proof of payment to the Viber number and advise of the pick-up date and time (between 10:00AM – 6:00PM). 

For deliveries, you may arrange for Grab, Lalamove or other delivery services. Transport fees will be shouldered by the customer.

Century Park Hotel is also giving away free Deli Snack Rewards Cards to guests on its anniversary month. The DELIciously DELIghtful Deals allows customers to earn rewards such as breads and pastries during their visit from September 1 – November 30, 2021. Each P500 purchase made at the outlet (from 8:00AM to 5:00PM only) is equivalent to one stamp. Orders made from food delivery apps, except Food-on-the-Go, are excluded in the rewards program. For PWD or Senior Citizen cardholders, the after-discount price should meet the minimum purchase to earn a stamp. Transactions made through complimentary Gift Certificates are exempted from the rewards program. Redemptions can be made until November 30, 2021 only.

“They say the Philippines has the longest Christmas celebration as it ‘officially’ starts in September. Century Park Hotel can relate to this as our anniversary falls on this month and we always find ways to celebrate our wins, however big and small it may be. The year 2021 has been challenging but we constantly look at things positively. We have so many reasons to be thankful for; our Safety Seal certification, our upgraded status to Multiple-use Hotel and another year of bringing our own brand of hospitality to everyone who walks through our doors. Going for 45 is a feat we are truly proud of,” said Anthony Tan, Century Park Hotel’s General Manager.

“We extend our gratitude to our loyal guests, old and new alike. The anniversary treats we have prepared is our way of showing appreciation for being with us through the years. We hope everyone will be delighted with the things we have in store” he added.

Airbnb unveils new tool enabling guests to check WiFi speed in listings before booking

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As the work-from-anywhere trend continues, being able to determine a listing’s WiFi speed before booking is a key feature for digital nomads

After a year into the pandemic, most office workers in the Philippines have realized one thing: you don’t need to work out of an office cubicle. Some who have grown weary of being cooped indoors are now catching up with what digital nomads have been doing for a while - calling beachside villas, mountain cabins and countryside stays their new offices.

As the flexibility to work and live from anywhere continues to grow, being able to determine a listing’s wifi speed before booking is a must-have not only for digital nomads, but also for remote workers, creatives, road schoolers, traveling families, gamers, etc.

Guests want peace of mind that their stays can support their connection needs. Whether Zooming with colleagues, streaming an update, working on online documents, or catching up with family on video chat, fast and stable internet is more crucial than ever.

Guests can now easily view the WiFi speed on the amenities section of each Airbnb listing

While Hosts have been able to manually add WiFi speeds to their listing descriptions for some time, Airbnb is now providing an easy and efficient in-app solution to allow them to measure the WiFi speed in their listing using the Airbnb app.

Hosts can test their listing’s connection speed right within the app, and easily have their wifi speed information posted on their listing page, making their listings more appealing to guests looking for connected stays:

Hosts can test their listings connection speed in four easy steps: 1) Start test, 2) Connect to WiFi, 3) Test the WiFi speed and 4) Get WiFi speed results

This feature uses M-Lab’s open source software to measure download speeds. Airbnb has begun rolling out in-app internet speed testing in the US, and will roll out the new function globally in the coming weeks.

Filipino Unique Stays Hosts earned over P24 million since start of pandemic

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With travel restrictions easing, borders reopening and an increasing desire for unique stays, Airbnb data reveals now is the time for would-be Filipino Hosts to open their homes to guests

Manila, Philippines - Airbnb’s 2021 Release showed that travelers are booking unique abodes including cabins, tiny homes, and treehouses to break up the monotony of the past year spent in lockdown. Nearly 70 percent of respondents to a recent Airbnb survey indicated they want to be able to filter for unique stays when searching for trip accommodation.

According to latest Airbnb data, searches for unique stays have increased by 94 percent in 2021 compared to the same time period in 2019, and 55 percent of Airbnb's 100 most wishlisted homes in the last year fall into unique categories.* Notably, searches for certain types of unique homes have exploded by over 10x compared to just two years ago. Searches for yurts have spiked by approximately 1700%, while searches for earth houses and barns have increased 1,285% and 1,068% respectively.

In the Philippines, Hosts have earned over P24 million welcoming guests into their unique homes since the start of the pandemic. “Many of our unique stays in the Philippines are tucked away in the outskirts of large cities, within driving distance from the metro,” shared Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. “Uncovering these one-of-a-kind stays is now a whole lot easier with our new Flexible Destinations feature, which helps guests discover incredible properties in places they may not have thought to search for. Guests can simply enter the dates they want to travel or search with flexible dates, for instance, a weekend, week or an entire month, to search and book their unique stays.”

One of Airbnb’s most popular unique stays is the Domescape glamping dome house in Nasugbu, Batangas. The Domescape is the first of its kind in the Philippines -- an intricately designed geodesic dome perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Located in Barangay Tumalim, a quiet neighborhood adjacent to a large river, the Domescape is tastefully styled with modern wood furniture and plush white beddings. It also comes complete with luxury amenities that allow guests to immerse in nature in full comfort, including an air conditioner, mini-fridge, kettle, microwave oven, and humidifier. Guests can spend the night stargazing from inside the dome, as well as enjoy private access to a natural swimming pool!

The dome is equipped with all the essentials you need for an ideal nature getaway

“Domescape was born out of our love for adventure and family,” shares Host Triccia Serafica. “It was on a family road trip in 2018 when we thought of having a second home tucked away somewhere remote, and away from our place in the city. We wanted to combine the rejuvenating experience you feel when you’re close to nature with the luxury you get when you stay in upscale accommodation.”

After the completion of the Domescape that same year, Triccia and her family began to invite friends over to stay. The following year, they began hosting on Airbnb and found great joy in sharing their second home with travelers who want to immerse in the great outdoors while spending quality time with their loved ones.

“With Domescape, we have witnessed several beautiful celebrations with our guests,” added Tricia. “Whether a marriage proposal, surprise birthday celebrations, and even pre-wedding photoshoots - we always look forward to these celebrations and are beyond happy to be a part of the moment. Hosting has allowed us to meet people from all walks of life - we’ve even hosted celebrities for their pre-wedding shoot, not to mention numerous shoots for magazines and music videos!”

Awake to picturesque views of lush greenery outside the dome

Spend the afternoon dipping in this sustainable outdoor swimming pool

For those interested in hosting with Airbnb and opening their unique homes to guests, Airbnb’s new platform upgrades have made it easier for anyone who wants to host. Find out more about how you can become an Airbnb Host here: https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes.

*Based on Airbnb internal data of unique stay searches as of April 30, 2021.