EP184: This Week in the World of Airbnb
Summary
This article from 2017 discusses various topics relevant to Airbnb hosts, including handling guest rule-breaking, Airbnb's initiatives to address racism and launch insider experiences, and resources for Hurricane Harvey evacuees. It also highlights how competitors are growing by targeting the higher end of the vacation rental market.
Key Insights
- •HomeAway reported 50% quarter-over-quarter revenue growth and TripAdvisor has seen listing numbers increase from 50,000 to 830,000, indicating the rapid growth of the short-term rental market and the success of competitors.
- •The short-term rental market is currently at $100B and is projected to reach $285B by 2025.
Action Items
- ✓Set filters for Instant Book to ensure guests meet your requirements, such as having a profile picture, confirmed email, and phone number.Effort: lowImpact: medium
- ✓Publish house rules in your listing and provide a printed copy to guests. Consider requesting a security deposit, but be aware of the process of filing a claim with Airbnb.Effort: lowImpact: medium
- ✓If you are uncomfortable with a guest who booked instantly, you are allowed to cancel three times per year without penalty. For the fourth time, contact Airbnb in advance of cancelling.Effort: lowImpact: medium
Tools & Resources
- →Airbnb resolution tool: The article mentions Airbnb's resolution tool.
Watch Out For
- ⚠Failing to properly address guest rule-breaking could lead to property damage or negative reviews.
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