Celebrating Our 100th Wish on World Wish Day®

This year, World Wish Day is particularly special for our community because Airbnb granted our 100th wish this April. As part of our commitment to grant a wish a day, in partnership with Make-A-Wish America and Make-A-Wish International, Airbnb hosts around the world welcomed four wish kids into their homes to help bring their wishes to life. Our 100th milestone puts us well on track to grant over 365 wishes this year.

Airbnb’s global community is uniquely positioned to make an impact in wish kids’ lives. Today, nearly 75 percent of wishes granted in the US involve travel, with many more travel-related wishes granted around the world. Since the genesis of our partnership, hosts everywhere from Australia to Portugal to Brazil to the US have opened their homes to help fulfill the wishes of children with critical illnesses.

Thanks to our community rallying around these organizations, Airbnb has granted wishes in more locations than any other partner, immersing wish kids and their families in cultures worldwide helping create unforgettable experiences in 30 countries and 60 cities to date.

Having a friendly face to greet them and a warm home to settle into is a welcome departure from the sterile hospital environments wish kids and families overcoming illnesses are used to. Many say that traveling together for a wish experience makes them feel “normal” again and feel stronger as a family.

Meet the wish kids and their families behind our 100th wish milestone.

Victoria, age 14, traveled to Seoul from Montreal for her wish to experience the culture and food of Seoul. Ever since she discovered Korean pop music as a child, Victoria has been fascinated with Korean culture. With her mom and brother, she traveled to Seoul and got to know the city through two Airbnb Experiences: the West Side Foodie Adventure and Ceramic ARTrip. Victoria enjoyed the bustling local food scene and trying tomboki (spicy Korean rice cakes) and bibimbap for the first time.

I knew this trip would be great since we explored this country together, and also because I was able to share my love for South Korea [with my family].

Growing up on Staten Island in New York, Shanna, age 14, wished to visit her stepmother’s family and relatives in Croatia. She and her family were able to drive around Croatia and take in the sights and scenery Croatia had to offer, as well as play and laugh around the listing’s swimming pool.

My brothers and sister and I spent time just relaxing at the house by the pool until late at night. We talked and laughed a lot.

Yassir, age 18, traveled to San Francisco from the Netherlands with his mom, stepfather, grandfather and friend to attend a professional basketball game. He got to experience all the special things San Francisco has to offer, from riding a bicycle to eating at an old-fashioned restaurant.

Not only was it a dream coming true for me. But I had the chance to make that dream possible with my close family and friends. That is just amazing. And a feeling I hardly can find the words for.

Joshua, age 15, dreamed of meeting the one and only SpongeBob SquarePants and visiting theme parks with his family of eight. He traveled with his mom, dad, and siblings. Joshua was a huge SpongeBob fan growing up and still enjoys the jokes and quirky characters today.

I am glad that I get to share this with [my family]. We have never been able to take a big vacation like this before.