Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management EP184: This Week in the World of Airbnb
Sep 1, 2017
24:30
Airbnb has gone Hollywood on us this week, enlisting the help of A-list celebrity Danny Glover to combat racism on the platform as well as marketing several insider Hollywood Airbnb experiences with costume designers and choreographers, among others.
Jasper is joined by Hostfully CEO and Co-Founder Margot Lee Schmorak to discuss these high-profile stories from La La Land and other Airbnb headlines, including the activation of the Disaster Response Program for evacuees of Hurricane Harvey and how competitors HomeAway and TripAdvisor are differentiating themselves from Airbnb—and enjoying continued growth.
Jasper and Margot also cover an article explaining how to handle guests who break the rules, offering their own tips and tricks born from experience. Finally, they address listener confusion around cancelling reservations and declining booking requests. Listen and learn how to set filters for Instant Book and what to do if you don’t feel comfortable with a guest who booked your Airbnb.
Topics Covered
Article #1: How to Handle Airbnb Guests Who Break the Rules
•Publish house rules (booking indicates acceptance)
•Provide guests with printed copy, mention as well
•Request a security deposit (must still file claim with Airbnb)
•Some hosts ask guests to sign separate agreement
•Ignore minor infractions
•Discuss issues with guests first in effort to resolve
•Use Airbnb resolution tool as last resort
•Must have evidence (e.g.: photos, admission from guest)
•Include charge for cleaning fee
•Safeguard private documents, valuables in safe or locked closet
Article #2: Airbnb Hires Danny Glover to Address Racism Allegations
•High-profile actor, social justice advocate
•Will serve as advisor to Airbnb
•Aim to get more communities of color to list on platform
•Glover impressed by Airbnb’s commitment (Blog post on Medium)
•Partnership with NAACP
Article #3: Airbnb Launches Insider Hollywood Experiences with Choreographers, Costume Designers and More
•Highlights Airbnb Experiences available in Hollywood
•Shopping tour with Mad Men, Deadwood costume designer
•Dance instruction with Michael Jackson’s choreographer, Kenny Ortega
Article #4: Airbnb is Helping Hurricane Harvey Evacuees Find Shelter
•Airbnb is waiving service fees for evacuees
•Check-ins between 8/23 and 9/1
•Encouraging homeowners to list for free
•Approximately 168 free listings in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio
Article #5: How Two Old School Travel Platforms are Beating Airbnb
•HomeAway reported 50% quarter-over-quarter revenue growth
•Positioning selves as platform for higher-end vacation rentals, popular tourist destinations
•TripAdvisor has seen listing numbers increase from 50,000 to 830,000
•Growth may be attributed to acquisitions
•All players growing
•Short-term rental market at $100B currently
•Projected to reach $285B by 2025
Q: I have concerns about being penalized for canceling reservations. Under what circumstances am I allowed to decline an inquiry? How about an instant booking?
•No penalties associated with declining an inquiry/booking request
•Only consequence is fewer reviews, bookings (affects position in search results)
•Can set filters for Instant Book so only guests who meet requirements can book instantly
•Standard—profile picture, confirmed email address, phone number and payment info
•Additional options—government issued ID, host recommendation, all positive reviews
•Allowed to cancel instant booking three times per year without penalty if uncomfortable with guest
•To cancel fourth time, must contact Airbnb in advance of cancellation
Jasper is joined by Hostfully CEO and Co-Founder Margot Lee Schmorak to discuss these high-profile stories from La La Land and other Airbnb headlines, including the activation of the Disaster Response Program for evacuees of Hurricane Harvey and how competitors HomeAway and TripAdvisor are differentiating themselves from Airbnb—and enjoying continued growth.
Jasper and Margot also cover an article explaining how to handle guests who break the rules, offering their own tips and tricks born from experience. Finally, they address listener confusion around cancelling reservations and declining booking requests. Listen and learn how to set filters for Instant Book and what to do if you don’t feel comfortable with a guest who booked your Airbnb.
Topics Covered
Article #1: How to Handle Airbnb Guests Who Break the Rules
•Publish house rules (booking indicates acceptance)
•Provide guests with printed copy, mention as well
•Request a security deposit (must still file claim with Airbnb)
•Some hosts ask guests to sign separate agreement
•Ignore minor infractions
•Discuss issues with guests first in effort to resolve
•Use Airbnb resolution tool as last resort
•Must have evidence (e.g.: photos, admission from guest)
•Include charge for cleaning fee
•Safeguard private documents, valuables in safe or locked closet
Article #2: Airbnb Hires Danny Glover to Address Racism Allegations
•High-profile actor, social justice advocate
•Will serve as advisor to Airbnb
•Aim to get more communities of color to list on platform
•Glover impressed by Airbnb’s commitment (Blog post on Medium)
•Partnership with NAACP
Article #3: Airbnb Launches Insider Hollywood Experiences with Choreographers, Costume Designers and More
•Highlights Airbnb Experiences available in Hollywood
•Shopping tour with Mad Men, Deadwood costume designer
•Dance instruction with Michael Jackson’s choreographer, Kenny Ortega
Article #4: Airbnb is Helping Hurricane Harvey Evacuees Find Shelter
•Airbnb is waiving service fees for evacuees
•Check-ins between 8/23 and 9/1
•Encouraging homeowners to list for free
•Approximately 168 free listings in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio
Article #5: How Two Old School Travel Platforms are Beating Airbnb
•HomeAway reported 50% quarter-over-quarter revenue growth
•Positioning selves as platform for higher-end vacation rentals, popular tourist destinations
•TripAdvisor has seen listing numbers increase from 50,000 to 830,000
•Growth may be attributed to acquisitions
•All players growing
•Short-term rental market at $100B currently
•Projected to reach $285B by 2025
Q: I have concerns about being penalized for canceling reservations. Under what circumstances am I allowed to decline an inquiry? How about an instant booking?
•No penalties associated with declining an inquiry/booking request
•Only consequence is fewer reviews, bookings (affects position in search results)
•Can set filters for Instant Book so only guests who meet requirements can book instantly
•Standard—profile picture, confirmed email address, phone number and payment info
•Additional options—government issued ID, host recommendation, all positive reviews
•Allowed to cancel instant booking three times per year without penalty if uncomfortable with guest
•To cancel fourth time, must contact Airbnb in advance of cancellation
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