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- What to Do When a Natural Disaster Hits Your STR Rental Business
What to Do When a Natural Disaster Hits Your STR Rental Business
Summary
This podcast episode discusses how to manage your STR during a natural disaster, using the Australian bushfires as a case study. Hosts should consider waiving cancellation fees and communicating with guests during such events. The episode also touches upon how these disasters will impact tourism and provides insights on long-term recovery strategies.
Key Insights
- •The Australian bushfires in Southeast Australia burned 1 million acres in six weeks.
- •1 billion animals were killed, and bushwalks were burned.
Action Items
- ✓Request that Airbnb waive fees for guests affected by the disaster.Effort: lowImpact: medium
- ✓Charge realistic prices, allow one-night stays, and stay in touch with potential guests.Effort: lowImpact: medium
- ✓Waive fees for cancellation to return 100% of the deposit to the guests.Effort: lowImpact: medium
More from Hosting Operations
An Airbnb property owner in Citrus Heights reported a massive party and property damage caused by a guest using a fake elderly profile. This incident highlights the risks of fraudulent guest profiles and the potential for significant financial losses. Hosts should be aware of the security vulnerabilities on platforms like Airbnb.
This article discusses traffic issues in Whistler, British Columbia, suggesting that road infrastructure alone isn't the sole cause. While not directly about STRs, it hints at broader issues like increased tourism and potential impacts on local services which can affect hosts. This impacts the guest experience and host operations.

Minor Hotels is developing an AI platform from scratch to enhance guest personalization. Unlike rivals layering AI onto existing systems, Minor's approach prioritizes real-time data for faster impact. This signifies a potential advantage in marketing, offering, and service improvements for their 640+ hotels and 12 brands.
Curated by Learn STR by GoStudioM


