New to the Community Center? Introduce yourself here ‌👇

[Bhumika]

Hello everyone! 😊

Welcome to the Community Center! 👋  I'm @Bhumika , one of the Community Managers for our English Community Center along with my lovely team members @Quincy @Paula @Rebecca @Elisa @Alex @Emilie and we are thrilled to have you join us.

Let's kickstart this thread with a little about us Community Managers:

@Quincy : I'm from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 I have been on the Community Center for 6+ years, and have been an Airbnb Host myself. I love cycling🚲, playing football⚽, and travelling🌏 . I love how dynamic and diverse the Community Center is as we meet Hosts from all around the globe. 

@Bhumika :  🌍 I was born in Gujarat, India 🇮🇳 , and shifted to Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦 last year! 📷 I recently realized my love for photography and aesthetics. I love to capture mundane life and candid pictures. 🌆 When I'm not working, you'll find me binge-watching thriller movies or exploring history.

@Paula : I am from Colombia 🇨🇴 and currently living in British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦. I have a passion for Latin American culture (I love to dance 💃) . I've had the opportunity to visit around 20 countries 🌎 and plan to visit many more. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities, especially mountain biking 🚲 and hiking 🏔.

@Rebecca : I'm from Cardiff in Wales originally but being a military child and a veterans spouse, I've travelled and lived in a lot of different places in the UK and Europe. I'm an environmentalist 🌿 and like to minimise my impact on the planet 🌎 as well as volunteering in my local community.  I love sea swimming 🌊 yoga on the beach 🧘‍ and I'm a children's yoga instructor too! 🙌 

@Elisa : I was born in Italy 🇮🇹 and as a lover of unique experiences—from exploring the streets of Rome🇮🇹 , Paris 🇫🇷, and Toronto 🇨🇦 to appreciating timeless art and cuisine—I'm here to blend the old with the new. 

@Alex : I'm originally from Spain 🇪🇸, but my passion for traveling made me move to Toronto🇨🇦 this year to explore the culture and add another unforgettable experience to my journey ✈️. I'm also passionate about all kinds of sports ⚽️ (especially football, in which I played at a semi-professional level) and love to discover new dishes everywhere I go. 🥘

Now it's your turn! Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? And is there something special about the location of your accommodation that you'd like to share?

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Warm regards,

Bhumika

[Rebecca]

Hi @Sandra7152, 

Welcome, it's a pleasure to have you here with us! I wonder, has being a seasoned guest influenced how you want to operate as a Host? Are there any key things you took away from your own past stays, that you're implementing in your beach side studio? 😊

P.S.: I would love to see a photo of the gorgeous view that inspired you to start hosting! 💡

[Sandra7152]

Good morning  @Rebecca 

You may check it out on the platform 

‘studio 8’ Dee Why Beach Sydney Australia 

I encourage feed back from guests with suggestions welcome As living permanently in a property has different demands to holidaying

I reflect on my travels and endeavour to be mindful of guests & their needs away from home

eg supply information re access to car hire, supermarket, pharmacy,

public transport locations near by ect. When you have no car you live differently so a guide to convinces like food delivery services for a late night Pizza is an example 

Personal I like a hot cup of tea or coffee after a long day of travel.  I leave a selection of teas & coffee pods with little milks, dairy & non dairy

I’m not good without coffee in the morning 

Many places have the Pod machines without a pod or milk (which frustrates me) 

I have also left a small snack in my studio Cracker and biscuits 🍪 

and a few laundry detergent pads for the washing machines

And cleaning items eg surface spray and paper towels for spillages 

 As a guest, I am honest and fair with my ratings and reviews if there is a small issue I’ll let the host know via text Also they will then understand my review category ratings all have been gratefully received as were unaware of the problem

Before I launched our property I invited a friend, who travels world wide (and also a host on Airbnb) to stay and test it out the property and supply feed back

i chatted also to other successful hosts i knew on different platforms 

I used the Australian Government Standards & protocols for cleaning hotel/holiday residences, to ensure I was thoroughly cover off on health requirements and COVID 🧼 cleaning 

Our test guest: 

Discovered our ‘new’ shower tap was faulty. Hot & cold water flowed but the temperature was hard to set (either too cold or too hot)   we had it fixed under warranty ✔️

Added and subtracted item per their experience 

I hope this is helpful 🙂

Have a great day 

Sandi

[Rebecca]

@Sandra7152 I’m not good without coffee in the morning either, so that's a great little touch!

I love the idea of a test guest , it gives you both a chance to try out your hosting routine and to gather valuable feedback. Thank you for all these tips, I look forward to seeing you around the community to share more of your experience with other Hosts. 😃

Have a lovely day 🌻

[Ana39150]

Hello everyone!

my name is Ana, I was born and raised in Mexico but have been living in the United States for 38 years. I live in beautiful Southern California. I have been hosting for two years, mainly for people attending festivals in the area, especially the Coachella Fest! I am a retired Paralegal. Going to the beach is one of my passions! Along with reading, cooking and traveling. 
Happy hosting! 
With Love and Gratitude,

Ana 

[Elisa]

Hi @Ana39150 😊, 

Welcome to the community!

We are happy to have you here from Southern California.

I know Coachella, it’s so famous! 😍

Do your guests come for any other festivals in particular as well?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Rizwan32]

Hey All! My Name is Rizwan. Based out of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.  I am a full-time LuxuryTravel Consultant. I plan personalized trips for our clients who like to experience affordable luxury escapes both domestic and international.  I am very new to the Airbnb hosting business and trying to learn:

- How can I  become a local host in Bhopal? 

- How can I remotely host property in India?

- How can I collaborate with other hosts around India or Internationally where I can add beautiful luxury properties to their personalized itineraries? 

The clients I cater to are someone who doesn't want to waste time selecting the property and planning the whole thing, they require someone who can take care of everything from finalizing the itinerary to the cozy Airbnb properties. Hence I thought of asking the community.
 

 Thanks in advance

[Elisa]

Hi @Rizwan32 😊, 

Welcome to the community center!

Thank you for asking all those questions. I suggest that you ask them by starting a new conversation here.

In that way, all Hosts will see it and can try to help you!

Warm regards🌻,

[Jeff3007]

Greetings Yawl ( Southern ), I am from Charleston South Carolina, live in Washington state with my husband of 17 years and 3 fur babies. Pleasure to meet everyone and to network and maybe get some work, now that I am retried. 

JeffreyMothers Day 2022Christmas 2023First BathGrowing up with Signature EarsProject # 1,265,487,956

[Bhumika]

Hi @Jeff3007 , Welcome to the community center! 

Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful introduction. The pictures are absolutely lovely 😍 

What are the names of these adorable furry friends? 🐶

In one of the pictures, I noticed the caption "Project # 1,265,487,956" 😉 I am really curious and looks like you've been actively working towards crafting wonderful things!

Would you like to share more about your active projects? 🎉

Best wishes,

[Therese282]

Hello 🙂

I live in Tsawwassen, BC, Canada, a small seaside community located within Greater Vancouver.  I was born in Sweden and have a Scandinavian themed suite with a private covered outdoor space that can be enjoyed year round. As a new host, I've been a little overwhelmed at the number of bookings I received already. I feel like I am learning as I go and would like to learn from others in the Community Center.

[Bhumika]

Hi @Therese282 , it sounds like you have a lovely setup in Tsawwassen, and it's great to hear that you've received so many bookings already! How are you keeping up with hosting incoming guests ? 😉 

Do you think there's a special element that attracts guests to book your listing? 😍

Is there a particular area where you'd like to gain more insights or support from other hosts? Feel free to start a new conversation to start discussions with experienced hosts! 

Wishing you all the best! 🌻

[Mauna4]

Ciao I am Mauna from Sicily-Italy. 3 years now hosting with airbnb having troubles in the last months with the insertion of VAT tax number in the VIES and so on..

[Bhumika]

Hi @Mauna4 , welcome to the community center! I'm sorry to hear you're facing a recurring issue with inserting VAT number. Have you reached out to the Customer Support team as well?

I'd also recommend you to👉start a new conversation👈 in our 👉Italian Community Center👈 to see if experienced hosts from the region have any advice in this regards.

Hope it gets solved for you soon!

[Sonja548]

Hi everyone, I am Sonja Norie. I am from a small town Hoedspruit in South Africa. We are very close to the Kruger National Park. 

I am still quite new into hosting, but learning everyday.

We love to travel the quieter roads of South Africa.

Furthermore I love to paint and create with my hands.

[Bhumika]

Hi @Sonja548 , Welcome to the community center🌻

Proximity to Kruger National Park must be a great attraction for guests 🌳

I noticed that you've already received many 5 star reviews 😍 Do you follow any specific strategies that help with receiving such great reviews? 

Have you found any particular surprises or challenges since you started hosting?