Ashton Kutcher, Gwyneth Paltrow to talk at Airbnb festival in LA

Mumbai, July 13 (IANS) Hollywood icons like Gwyneth Paltrow, Brian Grazer, Ashton Kutcher and many others will talk at the third Airbnb Open festival in downtown Los Angeles in November, discussing the future of travel and hospitality business.

Last year, Airbnb, one of the the world's leading community-driven hospitality company, welcomed over 5,000 hosts from 110 countries at Paris, France. This year, Airbnb on Wednesday announced, it plans to expand the scope of the Airbnb Open, welcoming both hosts and guests from its community as well as localities of Los Angeles and others to explore the future of travel and hospitality.

"This year's Airbnb Open will be a seminal moment for our community as we announce our vision for the future of hosting and travel" said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO.

Some of the other confirmed key speakers for the three-day Airbnb Open, that will start from, November 17, include Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat Pray Love”, Blake Mycoskie, the founder, Toms shoes, and restaurateur Danny Meyer as well as Airbnb’s founders, executives and more, said a statement.

The annual Airbnb Open is an opportunity for Airbnb’s community to gather in one place and make meaningful connections with each other and learn tips for successful hosting, as well as hearing the latest news from their respective companies with important product updates.

"As the first ever global festival of hosting, the Open will bring together hosts and guests from across the globe in one of the most creative places in the world, Los Angeles. The city will be an open canvas for them to explore for three days of education, connection and celebration,” he added.

This year’s Airbnb Open will highlight the thriving downtown area of LA, taking place across four historic theatres and involving many local restaurants, cafes and other small businesses. Attendees will have the chance to engage with locals and a diverse range of communities, immersing themselves in the energy of the city and experiencing what it would be like to live there.