Airbnb's CEO Asks Twitter Users What Airbnb Should Launch in 2017

It all started with a simple Tweet on Christmas night. https://twitter.com/bchesky/status/813219932087390208 Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's one tweet has, as of Dec. 26, amassed more than 1,400 replies, 351 retweets, and 1,500 likes. It's not often that a CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company would take this direct an approach to acquiring feedback and ideas, but it was especially surprising to see this coming from the CEO of Airbnb, no less. The $30-billion San Francisco-based company is known for keeping a tight lid on its corporate communications, and for often wanting to orchestrate all of its messages with the precision of a neurosurgeon. What followed after Chesky sent his tweet, however was anything but that. Instead, what we received was an incredibly open and candid conversation; Chesky was extremely open-minded, welcoming people to give their feedback, and he personally responded to hundreds of tweets. Those tweets were also imbued with a number of insights into the future of Airbnb, and at a very pivotal time in the company's eight-year history. Just last month, the company debuted Trips, its official entry into tours and activities. And just last week, word emerged that Airbnb was very serious about its decision to launch Flights in the near future as well. In short, the company is transforming itself into much more than just a marketplace where you can find a place to stay. One could even argue it's on its way to becoming its very own breed of online travel agency. Debating whether Airbnb will succeed in its latest endeavors, and pondering how Airbnb will achieve its goals have become a central topic of discussion in the travel industry — as has wondering just what the company has planned next. By asking the Twitterverse for its thoughts on what Airbnb could, and should, launch next in 2017, Chesky gave us an even better idea of what lies ahead. Here are the highlights. Hints About F