Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, visited Seoul on June 4 and emphasized the importance of the Korean market.
Speaking at a press conference held in Hannam-dong, Seoul, Chesky said, “Seoul is the most popular travel destination in Asia on Airbnb,” adding, “Korea is a fast-growing region and a strategically important market for us.”
According to Airbnb, the number of nights booked by international travelers visiting Korea increased by approximately 20% year-over-year. Travelers came from a wide range of countries, including the United States, China, France, Taiwan, Singapore, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Canada. “It’s important that both global travelers and Korean users know Airbnb is here,” Chesky said. “We’re committed to providing the best possible travel experiences.”
Chesky’s visit to Seoul follows stops in Paris, Berlin, Milan, and Tokyo, as part of Airbnb’s “Summer 2025 Release,” which was unveiled in Los Angeles this past May. “With our newly introduced services and Experiences, Airbnb is evolving from a simple accommodation platform into a true travel platform,” he said. “Among these, ‘Airbnb Experiences’ allow travelers to connect with locals and enjoy authentic, immersive activities.”
At the event, Airbnb also revealed a new “Airbnb Originals” program featuring the K-pop group SEVENTEEN as hosts. Airbnb Originals is a special event series in which global celebrities personally host one-of-a-kind Airbnb Experiences. In this program, members of SEVENTEEN welcomed and interacted with fans in person. A total of 60 fans from around the world were invited as guests.
This marks the second collaboration between Airbnb and SEVENTEEN. Last year, Airbnb offered a special event where a location featured in the music video for SEVENTEEN’s title track “Love, Money, Fame” was turned into a real-life Airbnb stay.
Chesky said, “The heart of our upgrade is to offer unique, creative experiences hosted by inspiring people,” and added, “We plan to introduce SEVENTEEN-themed Airbnb Experiences in new cities as part of their upcoming tour.”
