How unexpected and uplifting to receive a personal phonecall from the CS team !

[Βασίλης-and-Ann0]

Well, first of all, this was not from the Airbnb team but a rival booking site.

He gave his name, used my name & we chatted for a good 25 minutes about our 2 listings in Syros, he made some glowing remarks about it, asked questions, mentioned what we'd done  etc.

And...yes, I felt rather flattered ( my excuse--  being married for nearly 30 years means I haven't been on a 'date' in donkeys years so ashamedly but truthfully, was blushing, even gave a little schoolgirl giggle that I'm quite regretting now ;-//  ;- ))).

Anyways he gave us some extremely useful tips including some stats, their data and talked also of ways to maybe promote our island which only gets travelers from about May to September.

OK, my point is ---  it made us feel truly valued as a 'proper partner' in this business, especially when he left his name and business number in London, saying we should contact him personally anytime we needed help and assistance. 

Well, knock me down with a feather !!

I am just wondering , with all the hosts, possibly guests too, out there who struggle with serious problems and are trying desperately to contact/communicate/ have a decent conversation with the Airbnb CS team,  if this couldn't be tried?

What do others think?    Lizzie? Stephanie?

[Helen427]

@Βασίλης-and-Ann0  Doesn't that give the heart warm fuzzies to have such personal contact?

May I ask which website it is?

It's a shame in many ways that the Greek Isles don't have more tourists year round as it's such a beautiful part of the world with a wealth of history.

Maybe you could contact the Greek Tourism Office and give them a  nudge.

[Βασίλης-and-Ann0]

@Helen427  

Yes, Helen,  isn't that how we all should be treated? 

Instead of randomly talking to any CS team member who just happens to pick up the phone, a designated handler/buddy ,call it what you will, who knows you by name not a number means you establish a relationship with them and you feel they know what they're talking about.

Creating trust is everything. Isn't it, @Stephanie   Or am I sounding naïve?   ;-x

The GTO knows what can and should be done to better promote the islands but remember also that many visitors only associate Greek Islands with sunny beaches. It's a shame.

Thanks for your comments, Helen, always appreciated.  ;-D

[Christine1081]

Lordy. It's business.

[Inna22]

@Βασίλης-and-Ann0 yes, I also got a phone call. I assume the same site? Mine was from Homeaway. She actually first reached out by email offering to set up a one hour phone call. She went over some extremely useful information, mainly how to use the stats provided by them on my dashboard online which I was not using effectively (or rather not using at all). She also promptly scheduled my next phone call a month from now. I am looking forward to growing my business there

[Βασίλης-and-Ann0]

HI  @Inna22 

Yes, that's right, it was HomeAway. 

     I forgot to mention that to you @Helen427  . It goes by other names ,too, in different parts of the world.

  We were mightily impressed.

It felt to me that someone had finally been listening to what hosts actually want from their "partner" which included knowing ALL about our listings before they contacted us. That's what I call Professional with a capital P, Inna.   

  They probably organize a list of hosts for each CS team member to be responsible for, then follow through on each individual hosts' issues.  Establishing concrete relationships is key.

Why can't Airbnb take a leaf out of H A's book and do the same ?