Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has downplayed concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) agents could disrupt the travel booking industry, saying platforms such as Meta’s Muse and Instinct AI currently contribute very little to the company’s bookings, Business Insider reported.
Speaking during Airbnb’s third-quarter earnings call on Thursday, Chesky said the company had recorded limited traffic from the two AI agents, with an even smaller number of visitors completing bookings through them.
Airbnb processes close to 500,000 bookings daily, but reservations originating from Muse and Instinct account for an insignificant share, Chesky said. He added that traffic generated by these agents reached its highest point in early October and had not grown further since.
Rather than viewing AI agents as competitors, Chesky sees them as another channel through which potential customers could discover Airbnb. He compared their potential role to that of Google, suggesting that such platforms could direct users to Airbnb to complete their bookings.
“I’m generally excited about them. I don’t see them as a threat,” Chesky said.
The company is also preparing to develop its own AI-powered travel agent, with an initial rollout planned for the first half of 2027. The product will be designed specifically around travel planning and is intended to offer guests a more personalised experience.
Chesky argued that booking a holiday involves more than completing routine online transactions. While general-purpose AI agents can handle straightforward activities such as restaurant reservations and appointment scheduling, he believes travel decisions require a different approach.
He pointed out that 80% of travellers enjoy planning their trips, including browsing accommodation photographs, comparing properties and discussing choices with travel companions.
Customer behaviour on Airbnb reflects this preference, according to Chesky. Around 90% of users communicate with their hosts, while customers typically explore approximately 12 property listings and view about 25 photographs for each listing.
He also highlighted that most Airbnb traffic arrives between 9 am and 5 pm, suggesting that users spend considerable time exploring travel options during working hours.
“These people are supposed to be working, and they’re not. We have evidence. People are actually secretly using Airbnb,” Chesky said.
Airbnb reported a 19% year-on-year increase in revenue for the third quarter, marking its fastest revenue growth in three years. The company also described its business as having returned to a growth trajectory.
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First Published on November 8, 2026, 18:31:01 IST