In light of the pandemic-induced shift to remote working, Airbnb has launched a programme that will enable 12 individuals to live exclusively in Airbnb-listed properties for 10 months.

Under the Live Anywhere on Airbnb programme, the home-sharing giant will cover the cost of accommodations and provide a transportation allowance for the duration of the programme.

In return, participants will share their experiences with Airbnb to “help inform future product upgrades and innovations on the platform to better accommodate nomadic living”, it said in a press statement.

According to the Airbnb Report on Travel & Living, the share of stays 28 days or longer on Airbnb increased 10 per cent in nights booked when comparing 2019 to 1Q2021. Some 11 per cent of Airbnb’s long-term stay bookers in 2021 reported living a nomadic lifestyle, with 74 per cent of consumers it surveyed across five countries expressing interest in living someplace other than where their employer is based post-pandemic.

Through this programme, participants could help shape the future of long-term living on Airbnb, including product changes and resources that may improve the long-term living experience, ideal types of accommodations for solo travellers or groups like families, connections to local community members and businesses, as well as better understanding of financial benefits of hosting while travelling.

Airbnb is seeking a diverse set of 12 individuals who can be part of the programme for 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022. The programme is open to participants aged 18 years and above, and each participant will be allowed to bring up to three companions with them.

The 12 participants will be selected by a panel of interviewers in July, and will begin travelling from September. Interested parties can submit their application by June 30 at www.airbnb.com/liveanywhere.