Suspending the SuperHost Assesment due to Bushfres and Corona Virus

[David887]

I want to get other Superhosts thoughts to AirBnb having no regard to the impact the devastating bushfires in Australia, and now the Corona Virus is  having on guest bookings, and how many Superhosts will not be able to attain the minimum guest stays (this quarter), as a result.

As many know, the bushfires in Australia were huge and impacted so many towns and states. Combined, the area of land burnt out was greater than all of  Italy. Land, forests, bush (and animals) etc were all burnt. Towns and villages were not accessible and and as a result AirBnb properties could not be booked. And for those that could be booked, no one was traveling anyway, as they didn't know if their holiday destination was the next to go up in flames.

Just as the Bushfires stopped, Corona appeared. Now holiday makers are cancelling trips and are not planning on taking any trips, due to the fear of a pandemic or lockdown. Inquiries have dropped off by over 80% and bookings are being cancelled.

What this means is many SuperHosts will not achieve the minimum ten guest stay they need for this quarter or next quarters assessment.

I propose that AirBnb change the criteria to allow existing SuperHost to maintain their status (for the time being while Corona is a problem), when the only criteria they will fail on is the number of guests stays. If they have failed in responding or cancelling or quality reviews are an issue, then so be it, but if it just number of stays, then I think AirBnb need to show some leniency.

I would welcome any thoughts on my suggestion of AirBnb suspending, and see if we can get AirBnb to act now before the next assessments are due in a few weeks time.

[Stephanie]

@David887 @Sarah977 @Cathie19 @Helen427 

Absolutely. In fact, please do all suggest what you would like to see whether it's pausing, or lowering/removing of certain criteria. It helps us make an informed and valid adjustment.

Thanks,

Stephanie

[Cathie19]

@David887 , @Sarah977 , @Theresa418 , @Heather1043  @Helen427 

@Stephanie I believe nothing short of pausing for a minimum of 6 - 12 months, with a review for 12 months is the only option. This is being realistic.

Essential items for hosting may also be difficult to get supply. (currently toilet paper is scarce and I have been unable to buy for two weeks. We could buy inline, assuming the seller has supply, that transport or couriers are delivering. Remembering many or most overseas flights are currently grounded)

* Some Super hosts like myself, with a short tourist season, will be heavily affected. When we reach September in a normal year, bookings slow or stop as I go into my normal slow/low season: Wet Season (very hot, wet and humid) till May the following year. (My season is May - early September.)

Opinion:

This will not pick up for a minimum of six months, more likely twelve to eighteen months, assuming we have a viable global aviation industry for overseas travellers. For different geographic locations, this would be similar, even if the month may vary. My season would then not pick up again till May 2021, at the earliest.

* Those hosts who are pushing for Super Host status, I would consider, as being in a hiatus for assessing their good work. They won’t get the visiting guests either, with the possibility of supply chains for essential items limited; hence the chance of a retaliatory review from a guest, blowing their Super host status out of the water.

In the immediate future, I believe interstate or Provincial travel will be slow or limited if any. I do believe globally, any travel  considering the whole tourist industry, and/or even business industry trips, will also slow or halt. Through national and provincial shutdowns with staff, where possible, working from home if fortunate enough, will be more viable; or the implementation of staggered rosters to reduce and limit social distancing, may become more the norm.

I believe we will see businesses slow to return to using travel. They will continue using technology more and more to teleconference, rather than travel staff to a different city. I feel this will initially, be quite different from what we know.

Personally: (as a guest)

For example, many of us have had travel cancelled: flights, tours and accommodation  etc cancelled, with vouchers on offer, redeemable till end of year; but that may still mean no cash or value in hand. A couple are vouchers held for twelve months, considering and hopin* those companies stay afloat in this volatile time.

Why?

Because Covid19 may still be affecting continents in six months, no commercial vaccine available and airlines being discerning, where they start to reintroduce commercial and viable flight routes. That’s if they can stay afloat, with fleets being grounded. This is an unprecedented time........

Once again, in my personal opinion, I  feel travel will heavily contract globally for a minimum of  twelve months and people will  begin to holiday within their own  country. The village will still be global, but human nature will venture out more slowly. Remembering, people will lose livelihoods or suffer reduced income across this time of unfamiliar territory. A commercial vaccine is currently being touted, as not likely for 18 months.

Airbnb actions:

Simply, Airbnb should rethink their own business plans and promote the personal care that comes out of Airbnb hosting. Back to basics......

Contract and we will all get through this, together, hopefully; but only with help from Airbnb. They will need to make preemptive changes to also stay afloat, as will other rental platforms.  No one is immune and hosts are currently an endangered species. (sorry for the lousy pun.)

This is no small issue...........  It is a watermark era.

[Stephanie]

Hiya all,

I'm pleased to share this update regarding the Superhost evaluation. Here's the link: Answers for superhosts about the corona virus

This means it covers both Covid-19 and the Bushfires as the evaluation period kicks off at the start of the year. I know I just asked you guys to give me your suggestions so this seems a bit quick but what I'd love now is for you to share your feedback on the current proposition so I can get it fedback asap. 

Worth noting, this is not a static policy and will adapt as the days, weeks and possibly months of the pandemic unfurl so whilst I know it only says for evaluation April 2020 currently, we will of course extend should the situation merit it.

Let me know if you're unsure of anything pertained to in the FAQ and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Thanks,

Steph

[David887]

@Stephanie @Cathie19 @Sarah977 @Theresa418 @Heather1043 

Stephanie, This new policy is everything I was initially asking for, so thank you.

Please continue to take into account the other hosts thoughts as they do raise good points.

As we move through this period together, I would like AirBnb to also consider:

1). Where a guests makes a reservation from this day on, that they do so knowing that COVID-19 and all the travel warnings and restrictions are in place, therefore if they cancel a booking made after the 17 March it should be subject to the properties cancellation policy in place at the time of booking

2). AirBnb look at ways of promoting guests booking and staying in their local market. In Australia we want people to holiday locally, and the current international arrival restrictions are designed to discourage foreign holiday makers. Therefore I think AirBnb should be doing what they can to help advertise local properties and services to local markets

3). AirBnb to suspend charging hosts any money for guest bookings for the next 6 to 12 months. This obviously impacts AirBnb's revenue, but at the same time shows it is trying to help hosts by not charging them while they feel and endure this pain. Lets face it, it wont be a big hit to AirBnb's revenue anyway as the booking numbers have decreased significantly anyway. However it will help build a better relationship with the hosts, to which AirBnb are so reliant.

Finally thank you for your prompt action and taking on our cause. It truly is appreciated.

Regards

David

[Sarah977]

@Stephanie  That's a great start and hopefully , like they say, they will move the criteria for the number of stays or days as things progress. I doubt that the number of stays is really going to be crucial to the next assessment on April 1, since it takes into account the previous 365 days. For instance, even with the small volume of business I do compared to many hosts, I'll have no problem with the number of stays for April 1st and July 1st, but for Oct 1, I wouldn't come close to reaching the number of stays or days requirement if the coronavirus prevents me from getting any new bookings for the next few months.