EP144: This Week in the World of Airbnb

Get Paid For Your Pad
Published: April 13, 2017
Hosting Operations

Summary

This article from 2017 discusses various aspects of the Airbnb platform, including a case of racial discrimination, Airbnb's efforts to combat discrimination, and gear recommendations for vacation rentals. Hosts should be aware of Airbnb's efforts to address discrimination and consider implementing the suggested amenities to enhance the guest experience.

Key Insights

  • Airbnb employees donated over $200,000 to a candidate for governor in California.
  • Airbnb was in the headlines for the wrong reasons due to a case of racial discrimination where an Asian-American guest was stranded by a host.

Action Items

  • Provide amenities to enhance the guest experience, like mattress and pillow protectors, quality towels, and a bottle opener.
    Effort: low
    Impact: medium

Tools & Resources

  • thesweethome.com: The article references a 24-item checklist for equipping a vacation rental or Airbnb.(thesweethome.com/reviews/best-gear-to-outfit-a-vacation-rental-or-airbnb)

Common Mistakes

  • Hosts who discriminate against guests risk being banned from the platform.

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