Airbnb Services Explained: How Chefs, Photographers & Trainers Get Booked
Airbnb's newest hosting track puts vetted professionals directly in front of travelers. No property needed — just proven skills and a willingness to deliver.
Airbnb Services launched as part of the platform's push beyond accommodations. Where Stays require property and Experiences require designing an activity, Services is built for working professionals who already have a skill set and client base — and want Airbnb's audience to find them.
As of 2026, Services is live in 260 cities across 10 categories. Providers average 10+ years of experience in their field, and every listing goes through identity verification and credential review. Airbnb invested $200–250M into the Services and Experiences verticals in 2025, and the May 2026 Summer Release is expected to expand both further.
This isn't a gig platform. It's a curated marketplace for professionals who want premium bookings from travelers — without building their own marketing engine from scratch.
The 10 Service Categories
Airbnb currently supports these service types:
1. Private chefs
2. Photography
3. Massage & spa
4. Personal training
5. Hair styling
6. Makeup artistry
7. Nail services
8. Prepared meals
9. Catering
10. Other specialty services
The most active categories so far are private chefs and photography — both are natural fits for travelers who want a premium, in-accommodation experience. But Airbnb is actively expanding the list, and the categories are likely to broaden with each product release.
How Services Differs from Experiences
The lines can seem blurry, so here's the distinction:
Experiences are group activities designed around discovery and entertainment. You're leading a curated event — a cooking class, a tour, an adventure. The host creates the itinerary and controls the format. Multiple guests attend the same session.
Services are professional, often one-on-one engagements delivered to the guest. You're providing your professional skill directly — cooking a private dinner in their rental, doing a portrait session, providing a massage. The guest defines the need, and you fulfill it with your expertise. Think of it as hiring a professional, not attending an event.
A practical example: a chef who runs a "Learn to Make Pasta" class for 8 people at a community kitchen → Experience. That same chef cooking a 5-course private dinner for a couple at their Airbnb Stay → Service.
Many providers do both. If your skill supports it, stacking Experiences and Services doubles your surface area on the platform.
What You Need to Qualify
Services has a higher bar than Stays or Experiences. Airbnb positions this as a curated, trust-dependent marketplace — so they vet more carefully.
Professional experience. Airbnb looks for providers with significant track records — the average Service host has 10+ years of professional experience. You'll need to demonstrate this through your portfolio, credentials, certifications, or professional history.
Licenses and certifications. Depending on your category and location, you may need a food handler's license (chefs), massage therapy license, cosmetology license, personal training certification, or equivalent. Airbnb verifies these during onboarding.
Identity verification. Government ID, background checks in applicable markets, and profile verification.
Insurance. Liability insurance is strongly recommended and may be required depending on your service type and location. Airbnb provides some coverage, but professional liability insurance specific to your field is the responsible move.
Portfolio or body of work. High-quality photos, client testimonials (from your own records — don't fabricate them for the listing), and a clear description of what you provide, how long it takes, and what's included.
What Does It Pay?
Airbnb Services are positioned as premium offerings. Many entry-level Services start under $50, which serves as an accessible on-ramp for travelers, but most established providers charge significantly more.
Private chef dinner (2–4 guests): $150–$500+ per session depending on the menu, market, and ingredients included.
Photography session (1–2 hours): $100–$350, with higher rates in destination cities.
Massage/spa (60–90 min): $80–$200 depending on modality and location.
Personal training session: $60–$150.
Hair/makeup (event or editorial): $100–$300+.
Airbnb's cut: Same 15.5% host-only fee as Stays and Experiences. Guests see the listed price with no additional service fee.
The advantage over traditional freelance client acquisition is distribution. Airbnb puts your listing in front of millions of travelers who are actively looking for these services in your city — travelers who've already entered their credit card and are ready to book. You're not cold-calling or running Instagram ads. You're meeting demand that already exists.
Where Do Services Happen?
This depends entirely on your category, but most Services are delivered at the guest's location — which is usually their Airbnb Stay.
At the guest's rental: Private chefs cook in the guest's kitchen. Massage therapists bring a portable table. Hair and makeup artists bring their kit. This is the most common model and the most seamless for guests.
At your studio/workspace: Photographers might host at their studio. Personal trainers might use a gym. This works when your space is part of the experience or when your equipment isn't portable.
Outdoors or at a venue: Outdoor fitness sessions at a park, photography at a landmark. Same location flexibility as Experiences — just delivered as a private, professional service.
How to Get Started
The application process for Services is straightforward but selective:
1. Check eligibility. Confirm your city is in the 260 supported markets and your service category is listed. Airbnb is adding cities regularly.
2. Prepare your credentials. Gather your licenses, certifications, insurance documentation, and portfolio. Have these ready before you start the application — it speeds up review.
3. Apply through Airbnb. Navigate to the Services hosting section and submit your profile, credentials, service descriptions, pricing, and availability.
4. Complete verification. Identity check, credential review, and in some markets, background screening.
5. Launch your listing. Once approved, set your calendar, finalize your pricing, and start accepting bookings. Your first few reviews will determine your ranking in search results — deliver exceptional work from booking one.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our application guide.
Why This Matters for Your Business
If you're already a working professional in one of these categories, Airbnb Services isn't asking you to learn something new. It's giving you a distribution channel you didn't have before — one backed by 2 billion+ guest arrivals and a platform that 63% of users access via mobile app.
The travelers booking Services are typically spending on premium experiences during trips. They're not price-shopping the way they might for a weeknight massage at home. They're looking for a memorable, high-quality service in an unfamiliar city — and they're willing to pay for the convenience of having it come to them.
About 25% of guests who book an Experience go on to book a Stay or Service, showing that cross-track engagement is real. As a Service provider, you benefit from this ecosystem: guests discovering you through search, through Stay host recommendations, or through bundling with an Experience.
The platform is still early. Being among the first providers in your city and category means less competition, more visibility, and the opportunity to build a review base before the market gets crowded.
Ready to Start Hosting?
Choose your path — Airbnb handles the platform, you bring the space, skill, or story.
BNB Setup is an independent resource and is not owned, operated, or endorsed by Airbnb, Inc. This post contains referral links — if you sign up through our links, we may earn a referral reward at no cost to you. All information is believed accurate as of the publication date but is subject to change by Airbnb. This is not financial, legal, or tax advice.