My Airbnb pad is in Dunsborough, Western Australia.
I didn't bother to attempt phoning Airbnb as I knew I'd be just left hanging on so I've sent three messages (unanswered) regarding the cancellations I've been receiving with the explanation "Due to an Incident in Dunsborough". After the first cancellation with this explanation, I thought I'd better do some deeper investigation to find out what this "Incident in Dunsborough" referred to for my own sake as well as guests who have bookings ... guessing it was due to covid-19. No-one I spoke to in Dunsborough incl nurses at the doctors' surgery & the local pharmacy had any knowledge of an "Incident in Dunsborough". Also my daughter-in-law works in the Sterilisation Unit at the Busselton Hospital (covering the Duns/Buss area) and she hasn't heard of any cases presenting there. So I thought, oh well, obviously that first cancelling guest must have heard something that no one living in Dunsborough has heard. Then, every cancellation after that is "Due to an Incident in Dunsborough". And, so, it's become obvious to me, it's just a stock reason Airbnb have put on the "Reasons for Cancellation" for guests to tick when cancelling. Please correct me if I'm wrong. And I don't think these guests have been talking to each other and decided they'd all give the same reason.
My question to Airbnb is, where did you get this information?
If it is the case that Airbnb are using this type of statement for guests' reason for cancelling, then quite frankly, I'm furious that they would use a statement like that, with no qualifying grounds to do so.
I understand guests have the choice as to whether they cancel or not, for their safety and well-being, but to lead them astray by advertising an inflammatory statement that appears to be an untruth is devastating to all hosts in our area.
Are any other hosts receiving a similar reasons for cancelling?
If you've read this, thank you.