Anyone else not really feeling “Categories?”

[Richard531]

I've always felt that Brian Chesky was a little out of touch.  But I gotta say: I’m starting to feel that way more now than ever. It’s the same self-righteous attitude on his latest video, but his time he went a little too far and is taking the direction of the company with him.    

That is, the continued pounding of the war drum: "People can work from wherever they want now."  And it’s been discussed 100 times, but let’s remind everyone that this line of thinking forgets ~80% of the workforce/would-be travelers! 

Teachers, plumbers, garbage men, electricians, doctors, gardeners, therapists, restaurant workers, retail workers, delivery drivers, general contractors, mothers/fathers, THE STAFF WE DEPEND ON, like house cleaners, handymen, and our very selves as property managers and project directors of new listings.  None of them/us can, "Work from wherever they (we) want."  And never will we be able to work from wherever we want.  So the whole entry point is flawed from the start.  I get it, a billionaire CEO can load up his pooch and get on a ferry to an awesome 3 BR/ 2 Bath listing.  He can hole up there for a week and “work” while he does a couple virtual yoga class, gets food delivered, and has a masseuse to come to the home.  But everyone else? Not so much. 

It makes me cringe when he deduces that just because a portion of a portion of the workforce can kinda/sorta work from home now on a more consistent basis that the entire market would say out loud "Hummm, where should I go?" when contemplating travel plans.  That’s just not how it goes in the real world.

99% of us have a TIME in which to vacation and a DESTINATION in mind that we'd like to go to.  THEN, we book flights, and THEN we find our accommodations based on those parameters.    

The more conspicuous problem for "Categories" and thinking that, "People can work from wherever they want," is that the WFH mantra is slowly eroding as Covid-19 gets deeper and deeper into the rearview (THANK GOD).  It's all going to get back to normal.  And sooner than we think. 

Meanwhile, we’ll be stuck with these "Categories" as our guests are being peddled treehouses in Brazil and castles in Ireland when all they really want is a decent/cost effective beach condo in Miami or a house to enjoy with their family in the California Hi-Desert. 

I'm not one to just resist change!  But I think Airbnb really missed the ball on this.  

[Helen0]

Neither of my listings qualify for any of the new 'categories'. They are just regular houses in regular neighbourhoods. People book them because they're good value and close to the amenities of my city. What's the category for that?!
I have noticed a sharp downturn in enquiries and bookings since this rollout.

Focussing on these unnecessary 'categories' is just not how guests go about booking. It's also not how I book accommodation when I travel. Like most ordinary people,  I have limited dates that I can take time off work, I know more-or-less where I want to go, and I have a budget. I don't search the whole world for a treehouse. If there happens to be an affordable treehouse where and when I am planning to go, then I might consider it, but cluttering up my searches with unfeasible options is not helpful. 

It might make some sense perhaps if hosts could choose their own categories, or at least request them. I can't see it lasting, and in the meantime, category-less listings are being disadvantaged. 

[Stephanie1933]

@Helen0 you have hit the nail on the head! I 100% agree with you. Aren't the majority of listings just these regular houses? So frustrating! No category for those or 'family friendly' houses. I have had a decrease in views, enquiries and bookings as well. 

I love the idea of requesting or choosing categories. What category are our regular houses in? 

Steph

[Helen744]

@sterphanie1933 I still think our category is just ' entire house'which has some traction but if you only appear to have vacancy at some random  time in the future then it may cause the searcher to completely disregard your booking .things will get very gimmicky before they get better I think .the map that appears for guests even though it covers the correct area that our properties are in ,simply leaves our houses out . I do not understand at all. Is it based on my religion ? jJoke. but it is so random H