LEADERSHIP CALL FOR ACTION! CORONAVIRUS

[Jason1350]

Please ‘Like’ this thread if you agree we need AirBnB to better address host impact resulting from the Coronavirus. 

I’m writing because after several attempts corporate doesn’t seem to be taking any responsibility to address the impact hosts are experiencing due to excessive cancellations resulting from the Coronavirus.  

As a host for almost a decade I believe I can speak on behalf of myself and other hosts, my peers when I say—we put our faith, our confidence and an overwhelming commitment into this brand and therefore its leadership. We simply deserve some consideration and that comes with the leadership effectively addressing the many concerns we hosts have as a result of the Coronavirus and the decisions / actions AirBnB is taking that directly effect our lives and our livelihood. 

I’ve invested a lot in AirBnB and I have hope that via this thread...

1. collectively we who have helped build and shape this brand can again prove to be assets to helping overcome the shared obstacles that we face today. 

2. leadership will acknowledge these concerns and take the learnings into account to fairly address them with diligence and Godspeed. 

As it relates to the Coronavirus, please share in the comments: 

-specific concerns you have 

-how this is affecting you

-suggestions 

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and those affected by this. 

[Erica1020]

I have been having the same concern. Would love to see Airbnb offer some support to the hosts. The cancelations have been brutal.

[Thomas977]

Please sign http://chng.it/Sj9nRW7VDn

[Paul60]

signed - thank you

[Alexandra199]

I would ask, is there not some form of credit voucher option that is available to be given to guests who wish to cancel? This would mean that hosts get their 50% deposit (however, still losing the rest of the booking) and guests would then be able to use their 50% voucher on any other trip/stay in the next 12 months or more if necessary? Surely that is a fairer option?

[Jason1350]

This a great suggestion. I was successful offering a discount if they rebook with me combined with a 50% refund for reservations cancelled before AirBnB started issuing full refunds. What this tells me, guests are willing to share in the impact and AirBnB should have taken this into consideration. 

I’m really trying to understand what the motivation / incentive was behind offering full refunds. While we may not agree, clarifying that could help put some minds at ease.  

[Joni10]

Aloha,

I am as appalled as you are in regards to Airbnb's lack of responsibility to its community hosts. There are a lot of hostile posts on the Airbnb Community boards that support our thoughts. There is also a petition circulating against Airbnb regarding the treatment of it's hosts-or lack thereof.  We all agree that Airbnb has NO right to interfere with our livelihoods by giving our cancelled guests back a full refund. We set policies in place through them and offer travel insurance. Changes in reservations should be between the host and guests not the web site booking and payment processing provider.  

I've lost two rentals because of this equalling almost $5,000. That's my mortgage, utilities, and supplies for 2 months. The cancelling guests also gave the excuse that there was some sort of "Incident in Captain Cook".  So, that also means Airbnb is incorrectly auto generating "travel areas" in their email blasts to guests scheduled to travel. They are not responsively monitoring anything-they are creating a mass hysteria amongst our guests. Most of whom we will never get back. This is fraud. It causes a long term disadvantage to those of us NOT in areas affected by COVID-19. 

Airbnb should be held accountable for the losses hosts are experiencing because of their damaging and inaccurate mass emails. Give us our power back as business people and let us make our own decisions.  The 50%/50%  split would help greatly at this time.

[Thomas977]

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/travel/hotels/2020/03/16/coronavirus-airbnb-refunds-sore-spot-hosts-lo...

[Jason1350]

for this threads reference as well. 

@Lizzie , @Stephanie  and @Quincy  it is refreshing to know that you are collecting this feedback, thank you!

There is one very clear and common goal being expressed across several CC threads that shouldn’t require much collection to make an impact. Hosts are trying to minimize and best prepare for the financial impact cancellations are and will continue to have on their business, their lives, their livelihood.

A couple questions that would put my mind at ease and I imagine many others....

1. Does Airbnb acknowledge the financial impact cancellations and decisions they made are having on hosts?

2. Does AirBnB have any tangible plans to help hosts minimize and best prepare for the financial impact cancellations are and will continue to have?

The CC has gone several days with no acknowledgment from AirBnB on this subject across many CC threads. These chats grow daily, as hosts like me, search through clusters of messaging in anticipation of finding something tangible to help minimize very real concerns. Justifiably this lack of response and communication against these concerns is adding fuel to the fire.

Time is of the essence—there will be time to challenge, improve and celebrate decisions, I anticipate. But now, smart decisions us hosts make are imperative to impacting how we come out of this. I’m hoping your efforts can help us get those questions answered with Godspeed.

Thanks for all you do.

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

@Jason1350 

Airbnb need to implement their own rules and regulations to the detail, not to their whim or selfish benefit. 

[Taresa0]

the letter that came out today was not sufficient. we need change. without us there's no them

[Thomas977]

https://youtu.be/D4T1k9SJFds

[Native0]

IPO stalled:
https://www.valuethemarkets.com/2020/03/17/airbnb-ipo-could-be-the-biggest-casualty-of-the-2020-stoc...

VRBO has an opportunity to woo hosts away and TREAT HOSTS RIGHT (is anyone listening?)

[Kathy899]

I used to prefer Airbnb to VRBO because I received my payouts faster from airbnb (VRBO uses a third party for payouts and delays of 3 to 7 days are all too common).  But now I say USED TO, because VRBO honored its cancellation policies with hosts and airbnb just tore them up.  And airbnb can change any policy at any time with its extenuating circumstances policy.  So it doesn't matter how strict your cancellation policy, because all cancellation policies are whatever airbnb wants it to be at any place and time.  I cannot have such a business partner.  I can't believe this is legal.

[Miki5]

Here's a suggestion on how they could offer hosts some relief...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4T1k9SJFds&t=259s

[Kathy899]

I recommend watching this, because it comes from an airbnb host who offers up sound business advice to airbnb on behalf of hosts with a small amount of listings.