Day 22 - A Message from Catherine Powell

[Catherine-Powell]

Dear Airbnb Community, 

Having read the amazing posts you have left during our Month of Celebration, I am humbled - and a little daunted - to be posting alongside you. I am so touched by your stories. Thank you for sharing so many magical and inspiring messages about the moments that have lifted you up during this uniquely challenging year. You, our Hosts and Guests, have been a constant source of inspiration, resilience, learning and optimism; a clear reminder of how and why the Airbnb community is so special. As the world shut down this past year, you showed how to continue creating connection and belonging for your guests and for our community. 

For me, 2020 has certainly been a year of lows and highs. A highlight was joining Airbnb back in January (I can't believe it’s not even a year!). I joined to run Airbnb Experiences, which I had to suspend barely two months later as the pandemic was declared. Then we launched Online Experiences, on the suggestion of our Hosts, who continue to create magical experiences for our guests, bringing friends, families and teams together who otherwise would not be able to connect. 

Then in July I took over Hosting, bringing together Homes and Experiences. My mission was to put hosting back at the centre of Airbnb. Brian called it going back to our roots. The pandemic hit our Hosts, our Guests, and Airbnb. Hard. We had to focus on our strength (ie. you, our Hosts). And that is what I have done. I heard directly, bluntly, how challenging it had been for some of you and how frustrated you were and I also heard, and read, how you were coping and adapting. We worked on many of your ideas and addressed your concerns, whether it was introducing party bans or sharing new guest travel trends. And, we have ended the year creating the Host Endowment and launching the Host Advisory Board. 

On a more personal note, I have deeply missed being able to travel, and particularly not being able to see my family in the UK. But I have spent more time with my husband and sons these past eight months than I have these past eight years! My husband has taught himself to cook (after 52 years) and we haven’t run out of conversation! We also have a dog for the first time ever. We went big. Ozzy (in honour of our time downunder!) is half Pyrenees, half St Bernard with some Collie. He sheds like crazy and is a real drooler, but he has brought so much love and delight to our home. I can’t imagine life without him. While my world has become smaller this year, it has also shown me how deep our layers of love and connection are with those nearest and dearest. We’ve all had to invest in where we are this year, in the space and people that we call home and for that I am thankful.

 

I am ending this year full of hope and optimism - as so many of you have said in your posts, travel will return. It will likely not be the same as it was, but the human desire to connect to people and places will be stronger than ever. And we will be there to fulfil this desire, sharing our homes, passions and interests, and giving hugs and warm greetings to friends and strangers alike. 

Until that time, we will be thinking about what the best version of the future might look like. Airbnb continues to work very hard to improve the experience for our Host and Guest communities. We have made great progress this year, but there is more to be done. And if you have ideas for changes you would like to see in the New Year, please do continue to share them with me and our Community Managers. I value all of the constructive feedback that I receive from you -- our Community is the foundation of the work that we do. 

We are looking forward to a wonderful 2021 for Hosts, Guests, and the whole of the Airbnb Community. Thank you for believing in us. 

With heartfelt gratitude, 

Catherine

[Catherine-Powell]

@Cathie19 Oh Cathie, i am so sorry to hear about your family's plans being so frustrated. I hope you were still able to find moments of joy over Christmas. it is bad enough being separated from our loved ones for much of this year, but then thinking you are finally able to travel and connect, only to be thwarted at the 11th hour! "Agh!" comes to mind. i was going to say your description epitomised for me much of what 2020 was about - but then i saw your lovely illustration and think that is a much better thought to be left with.

i wish you all the best for 2021!

Catherine

[Cathie19]

Salute!

Thank you @Catherine-Powell for your good wishes. 💐

We had a very fragile Xmas, with people tearing often across the day; but life is what it is.....

The family made it through the day..... just.

In the morning, via video streaming, the children shared some similar gifts across the country, brought by Santa! They were SO AMAZED they got the same... 🎅🏽

As our rains stayed away for the day, we bravely set up a casual, low key affair on our balcony. It was Christmas, but everyone felt it was a bit of a betrayal to those not with us to do too much! Emotions! 

In the evening after our son and daughter in law’s small children were asleep, they video messaged again. They were very fragile, but the nieces here held a dance concert in the lounge room where we were all able to watch. We even took turns judging answers in a card game they were playing 3000 kms away.

Technology has been a marvellous comfort during this time, just as it has been for so many individual and families, across this year, globally. We sort of set places for absent family at the end of the table. In the image, Garry raises a glass to everyone’s health!  🎄🥂💝

Bring in 2021 I say! 🌿

[Catherine-Powell]

@Cathie19 you should explore Airbnb online experiences. there are some really lovely multi-generational ones to do with families who cant be with one another over the holiday period. My family is in Europe, and we have done a few over this holiday which has been a real laugh! something we all need! 

love the photo 🙂 

Happy New Year!

Catherine

[Katie]

Aw gosh @Cathie19 I'm so sorry to hear about your son & family - Christmas this year is pretty topsy turvy all round it seems. Thinking of you guys and hope you all have as good a time as possible in the circumstances 💛

[Cathie19]

Thanks @Katie, but we are just an example of a difficult time for everyone globally. So more than ever, we need to stay focussed on the positives. X

[Trudie7]

@Catherine-Powell Such a lovely post. Sometimes it is hard to see the positives in situations, especially when one we love may be fighting an illness or dealing with a pandemic that is consuming our lives. But  there is always something to be positive about, we may just have to look at the situation from another perspective & your story shows that.

[Melodie-And-John0]

@Catherine-Powell , We love having you here, thank you so for your message of hope and sharing your family and work challenges and successes' with us (and giant fluffy four legger Ozzy looks like a big blast of fun and energy that never ends).   

As you can see, the crew here can be a bit irreverent, can be point blank and sometimes harsh in our sharing's, we squabble, p and moan, drown our sorrows and share deeply the concerns and challenges we are confronted with but we love and live passionately and share that equally.   I guess that makes us "extended family" at the least and brothers and sisters in arms (against bugs, dust bunnies and GWBI's (Guests With Bad Intent) 24/7/365 days a year.   

Melodie and I feel blessed to be part of an incredibly diverse family from around the planet engaged in the second oldest profession, Inn Keep's!   Its an interesting bunch of folks that generally care far more for others (even folks they never met) than they do for themselves.  I would be wrong to forget the trusting guests that have come to equate the Airbnb Logo with a brand that almost always provides a high quality stay on par or better with the soul-less big box hoteliers that don't do their best to show their appreciation for their patronage.   

Four jobs in one year (from Goofy to Airbnb Loonie and everything in between in less than 365 days) must be a nightmare of change and a roller coaster ride of epic proportions for you and your family, hang on and stick to it.  We're all rooting for the root reconditioning that is your latest mission and sole focus from Brian HQ.   The livelihoods of a few million small businesses are depending on your wholesale success (no pressure)!   Keep the faith, Inn Keeping is a solid and respectable profession so your in the best of company with us as the keepers of your pathway to success, you take care of us and we will do the same for you I assure you.  We wish you an all our friends here a Merry Christmas, wonderful holidays and the best New year ever, god bless us all, Stay well, John

[Catherine-Powell]

thank you @Melodie-And-John0 for your message. I loved what you wrote and completely agree with you. The community we have is as passionate as they come, and it is that passion that creates the bond that binds you with each other, with your guests and with Airbnb - through the bad times and the good times. And we have certainly been tested with the bad times this year. But i know i would not want to have spent this year with any other community, than this one! I love the reminder we are a community of inn keepers which is absolutely a solid and respectable profession (and a great time of year to remember this 😊)! Wonderful writing! thank you and blessings to you and Melodie for 2021, warm regards, Catherine

[Cathie19]

Beautifully put John! @Melodie-And-John0 @Catherine-Powell 

I like the analogy of inn keeping at Christmas as well......

Enjoy the season and keep on keeping on at the inn..................... 🥂

[Melodie-And-John0]

@Cathie19  & @Catherine-Powell , I completely enjoy the whole idea of being a modern day "Inn Keeper" in our 220+ year old Inn/ Lodging.   Our home is part of an original small farming community of Irish Protestant Immigrants that named it, Irish Settlement.  Its at the top of a very large hill on an important connecting Wagon trail called "The Bear Path" .  Our homestead was built by The  Philpots and was both a farm and Overnight rooms for rent where you could rest and feed your horses and humans they are carrying or pulling and continue on to Syracuse or Albany. 

When Mel and I decided to rebuild the home to be a place for weary travelers and visitors to our region, It seemed only right to name it "Bearpath Lodging" (we don't do horses or food!!!).   Everything about being a 'Keep isn't always peaches and cream but its pretty awesome as a whole.  We get to meet and host really cool people from all over the world, share the beauty and bounty our Acres of century old gardens and orchards provide and pass on the rich history of New York's "Not the City".  Being blessed with history galore helps, home of 5 Indian Nations,  James Fenimore Cooper's "Leatherstocking  Country" , the birthplace of "The Abolitionist Movement" and  Underground Railroad gives me all the chatting points and content an Airbnb Host could ever ask for. 

Its somewhat traditionally Inn Keeping activities, duties and responsibilities Modernized for 2020 and beyond that sustains most lodging providers on Airbnb.   We can be proud of our contributions to our local economies and our own bank accounts!    We will leave a light on for you (For real!!!!), stay well, JR

[Jason1470]

Hi @Catherine-Powell ,

Thanks for the lovely post. I wish you a promising and hugely rewarding 2021. 

Best,

Jason

[Clara116]

@Catherine-Powell  Honestly, I held such high regard for you AND then you got Ozzy - when you wrote "can't imagine life without him" - you have now shifted to a new status - Truly one of us, dog lovers, can't imagine my world without my dog/s.....your post was so sweet, honest and I'm so happy you are part of all our lives with Airbnb and also CC community center. I have so enjoyed your videos this year, they always reflect and share calming, inspiring messages and bringers of hope. As a moderator/leader in our community with Airbnb I shared them with our group each time with hopes of connection for other hosts. 

Being a dog lover - I have always had boy dogs? not on purpose, always rescues, and always 2  as they form bonds we can learn and live by. My boys are like the glue that has held most everything together this year - they sense and comfort and communicate pretty clearly. It astounds me each day. They help me remain kind when I'd maybe rather not, be calm when that's not happening in me. And the most important part I think is they have such personalities and refuse to let me forget that. May your bond grow with each day with Ozzy.....he is gorgeous. 

Wishing for you and yours all wonderful blessings today, tomorrow and always,

Happy New Year, warmly, Clara

can't seem to upload a pic of my boys....will keep trying

[Catherine-Powell]

@Clara116 thank you for your lovely message back. i was very touched! and delighted too that you not only watch my videos but find them useful! I try hard to get the right balance of tone and emotion as it is the only real way i have of connecting with hosts at the moment. i cant wait to travel again and start meeting hosts in person! 

and please do share pictures of your boys! I would love a little friend for Ozzy. My husband is not keen - mind you he wasnt keen on having a dog in the first place as i now totally gooey-eyed with Ozzy (our sons frequently point out he never gave them as much attention when they were little!!). So who knows...😉

Happy New Year to you!

Catherine

[Clara116]

Bentley in front and Eddie close behind!

[Clara116]

@Catherine-Powell  Well, I managed the pic but couldn't post a message - anyway, here's my little fellows, my precious boys - I was not blessed with children but my pups seem to do a great job of filling up my heart. 

Happy New Year,

Clara