Airbnb ‘Live Like a Local’ Ad Campaign is Misguided

Hey, we like neighborhoods.

But the Airbnb ad campaign “Live Like a Local” suggests that a destination’s world-famous landmarks distract visitors from the real thing (like cooking dinner in someone else’s apartment and making their bed). “Do the stuff you normally do,” the commercial spot urges.

Why shouldn’t a first-time visitor to New Orleans stroll the French Quarter? What’s wrong with the top of the Empire State Building or hanging onto the rail of a cable car going up and down the crazy hills of San Francisco? Besides, locals can enjoy their own city’s highlights, too.

Making the case for both — experiencing top attractions and scratching beneath the “must-do” surface  — Matt Stiker of CityPASS contributed his point of view in a LinkedIn post, seen here.