[FESTIVAL] A decade of Airbnb hosting focused on building lifelong connections

[Tatiya0]

Since my Airbnb hosting journey began in 2013, it has extended beyond offering a place to stay. It’s about forging meaningful connections and friendships. In 2017, I decided to share my love for cooking with guests from around the world. I’ve turned my home into a hub for forging bonds between travelers.

Living alone in Bangkok, I discovered that cooking for one could be more expensive than dining out, so I don’t cook that often. Hosting dinner Experiences allows me to do what I love. When I started, I couldn’t believe I actually got paid for it. 

The experience isn’t just about the meal. I’ve introduced guests to my garden, where I plant some of the ingredients used for cooking. I also share the company of my cats (if luck is on their side). It’s a communal gathering where we cook, eat, and drink together. The magic happens in the connections formed around the dining table.

Over the years, I’ve made lasting connections with guests. One remarkable tale involves Nienke from Amsterdam, Netherlands, who booked my dinner Experience on her birthday. Despite being the only guest that evening, we discovered many things in common, and our connection was instant. Following her visit to Bangkok, I traveled to Hanoi and later Amsterdam, where she graciously hosted me in her home, and I cooked her a Thai dinner. Our paths crossed again in Warsaw last September, where Nienke had just relocated for work, aligning perfectly with my travels in the region.

 Nienke and I joined Airbnb food tour experience in Hanoi, Vietnam

These stories exemplify the essence of hosting. The friendships formed through hosting dinners and welcoming guests into my home have added a layer of richness to my life. As an Airbnb Host, I encourage and celebrate the magic that happens when diverse individuals come together under one roof, creating bonds that last a lifetime. My goal is to create a space where strangers become friends—where the world feels a little smaller and warmer through the joy of shared meals and shared moments. 

Another cherished memory involves Satu and Mika, a Finnish couple who visited my home six years ago. After a wonderful evening with them and three other guests, life took us on separate paths. I recently reached out to them while planning a trip to Helsinki. They graciously invited me to stay in their home. Despite the years of limited contact, the warmth of our connection was immediate. Within hours of my arrival, I found myself in their home sauna with Satu, reminiscing and catching up as if no time had passed. They treated me to Finnish cuisine, and I had the joy of preparing Thai dishes for them and their extended family. One unforgettable highlight was Satu teaching me the Finnish way of enjoying a sauna—dipping into the 2 C ocean between sessions.It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will cherish forever.

 Home Cooked Finnish meal in Kirkkonummi, Finland

Claudia,  Daniel, Delphine, and I are sharing our experiences with addressing loneliness through hosting and look forward to reading about your experiences. Read what Claudia, Daniel and Delphine have to share about their experiences below: 

• Enhancing guest experiences through local engagement by @Daniel1651 
• My journey of connection and warmth in the French countryside by @Delphine348 
• How professional Hosts can bridge hospitality and social sustainability in the Airbnb community by @Claudia331 

[Dr-Jayanthi1]

Love it @Tatiya0 .The warmth you spread with your presence is astounding. Happy to have met you at the APAC summit, in person off the screen and in real. The energy that bounces from you is overwhelming. I assure that hosting is a game changer to fight out loneliness. It not only helps to come out of it but prepares you for a life where "giving" is a priority. You are never alone when you learn to give. I started hosting after my daughter left home for her undergrad program. I learnt Airbnb from her as an ardent Airbnb guest, she always prefers Airbnb over hotels. It has been great sharing my hosting experiences from her and taking tips from her on what other hosts across the globe practice. I conquered my loneliness through guest interactions. Airbnb kept me busy and learn that I can give my guests the love and care by sharing my home with them. I am happy and contented with my hosting journey. As for cooking - I cook out of compulsion and not out of passion - we are miles apart. But my family assures me that I am a good cook. Wish to share my culinary skills with you. Welcome to India and stay with me. 

You are an energy bubble, love to you. Happy hosting 🤗.

[Paula]

Hello @Dr-Jayanthi1 like you, I cook more out of necessity than passion, which makes me truly admire those who infuse so much love, joy, and enthusiasm into their cooking, just as @Tatiya0 does 😍

@Tatiya0 ’s approach is both lovely and admirable. Thank you for sharing the amazing experiences you’ve had with your guests. Food and cooking are powerful forms of communication, and it's clear you’ve built amazing connections through these experiences.

I’m also curious to know if @Daniel1651,  @Claudia331 and @Delphine348 have similar stories to share.

Best regards 🌻

[Laurelle3]

@Tatiya0thank you for sharing your journey as a host in Bangkok for 11 years and you show the  spirit of being an Airbnb Host. You have mentioned that you have found friendship with some of your Guests. I had the pleasure of attending the Community Leaders Summit in Bangkok this September, and it was wonderful that our paths crossed.

Since I began my hosting journey in 2019, I too have found joy in connecting with our Guests too.. Your dinner Experiences sound like a perfect way to bring people together, and I love how you’ve turned your home into a hub for interaction with your Guests.

Your stories of lasting friendships, like with Nienke and the Finnish couple, highlight the magic that happens when we open our homes and hearts to travelers.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and for inspiring the community with your hosting journey.

Laurelle from Downunder.

[Merrydith0]

I love your story @Tatiya0 and although I don't host a cooking experience, we often invite our guests for a meal or drinks or coffee etc and we find it so enriching.

We have laughed and cried with guests, and we have learnt so much about the world . In the words of William Butler Yeats - "there are no strangers here, only friends we haven't met yet"
That is how we view our hosting and it brings rewards better than money.
Thanks for sharing. ❤️

[Bijith0]

The warmth and energy you bring is commendable. Thanks for taking us to the restaurant post the party during the summit.

[Ngurah0]

This is beautiful Tatiya. Shared- house hosting will make us never feel lonely, we'll always have company. We can decide the level of connection we want to set.

There's something special in hosting, create friendship, it's opening the world connection, you'll be surprised who is coming and everyone has story to tell. Agree with you its richness beyond money.

I found we also have many in common, 10 years hosting, cooking, in person, online, except I don't travel as crazy as you ☺️

Ayu xx

[Lorina14]

@Tatiya0 

Thank you for your heart warming stories of strangers who become friends. It’s amazing to be able to share those experiences with guests and to then have some special guests become life long friends. ♥️🪴💫

[Bea2137]

I’m a witness to this, having booked @Tatiya0’s listings many times! I have it pinned on the map as BKK HOME. 

PRO TIP WHEN BOOKING AIRBNB LISTINGS: find a host who also hosts cooking experiences. If you’re lucky that he/she has a cooking class during your stay, you get free good quality local food. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 saves you a lot of 💰💰💰💰