Brace yourself: The Airbnb Winter Release is Coming

[Huma0]

Not sure how many of you know, but Airbnb is about to announce its Winter Release. Yes, that's right. It's the follow up to the Summer Release that caused quite a stir.

I have heard a few things about this, including:

- It will be announced within hours as part of the Q3 Earnings Call.

- @Catherine-Powell will be doing interviews about it over the coming week.

- There may be revisions to the review process, including how Superhost is assessed.

Now, I don't know any of the above for a fact and that information came from more than one source. I was also sent this article below, which speculates about what might be coming. I have no idea if the publication has insider info, or is simply guessing based on what happened with the Summer Release, but some might find it an interesting read:

https://www.rentandrelaxus.com/2022/10/31/airbnb-2022-winter-release-rental-scale-up-2/

[Huma0]

@Sudsrung0 

Yes, I am not getting a tonne of enquiries, but most of the ones I am getting are straight up 'no's', i.e. third party booking and, especially, guests with stupid questions, like "Is the ceiling safe?"

[Laurelle3]

@Sudsrung0 like you our bookings gave picked up this year with mid week bookings.

As you said Long term bookings at what price. In Australia we have a shortage of homes to rent in all states(7) and the states are putting restrictions on. In NSW where we live we have had to be registered and pay a fee to state government. This year we gave had to put a DA(Developmentapplication) number in to be accepted as some people had built small dwellings (tiny homes non movable- permanent).

This year we have had to tick boxes to say that the property has all fire regulations, emergency first aide kits and neighbours have been informed. Also some areas in NSW have a limit of days to have booked on any platform eg. 90,120,180 days. If you live on site you can let for 365 days.

In Qld state the have asked people to dob in a person (neighbour) who has an Airbnb because they will be billed with double rates. 

I think this rationale is to get more rental properties.

The other states are looking to introduce something similar.

[Huma0]

@Mark116 @Mariann4 

So, apparently, the 'Winter Release' is now not going to be rolled out until 16th November.

However, Mr Chesky did speak about it at the Q3 Earnings Call today. He spoke about "aggressive recruitment" of new hosts, and this includes making it quicker and easier for new hosts to sign up. 

He's still hell bent on pushing experiences.

And, apparently, new discount tools to help hosts "'better understand pricing and be more competitive'.

Not heard anything so far about a revision of the review process. Perhaps those ideas (which I was told about a few months ago) got shot down... We shall soon see, I guess.

[Mark116]

@Huma0 It's like he lives in a bubble where it is always 2015.  Airbnb does not need tons of new hosts, they need to beef up their government relations branch to prevent current hosts from being regulated out of business in key markets or any markets.

Our views never recovered from the Summer Release, LOL.

Experiences isn't a bad idea, but I don't know that its ever going to be much of a revenue generator.

[Huma0]

@Mark116 

Well, it's easier to manipulate new hosts, isn't it? E.g. get them to list at ridiculously low prices, blindly take every booking that comes along, put up with guests who break rules, give them glowing reviews regardless, and then live it total fear of guests in case they get a bad review. We see this all the time on the CC when new hosts post here wondering how on earth it all went so wrong and why Airbnb hasn't "got their back" as promised.

Also, possibly this emphasis on trying to forcibly push guests away from the areas they actually want to book and, instead into less in demand locations, might be their tactic for avoiding trouble with angry city councils.

I've not got anything against Experiences per se, but you are right, it's just a side line. I don't know why Brian seems to be so fixated with it and determined to succeed with it at all costs. I've hosted hundreds of guests and I can't remember even one who booked an Airbnb experience while they were staying here, and there are plenty on offer in London. 

[Sudsrung0]

@Huma0 

In my experience it was not that easy to apply for I spent ages putting it all together only to be declined twice, it was some years ago so I gave up,

I thought I had done a good job, one of the most popular tours for tourist here is the boat trips to other islands many are deserted and only access by boat

I have arranged for many guest and everyone has had a great "Experience" it's a full day on a speed boat to about 5 islands included a BBQ lunch on the beach,

Pickup from door to door.

One of the most visited islands is not far from us "Maya Beach" where they made to movie The Beach.Maya Beach

[Huma0]

@Sudsrung0 

Yes, I remember that from the movie. Really stunning. Hope there aren't too many man eating sharks or murderous drug dealers there in reality though!

Sounds like a nice (and most likely very popular) experience to me, but maybe not 'niche' and quirky and potato-shaped OMG for Airbnb?

[Sudsrung0]

@Huma0 

I would say I have far more local knowledge and Experience than those sat in the office at airbnb, 

We do actually talk to guest, 

[Huma0]

@Sudsrung0 

Do Airbnb actually ask guests what THEY want? Perhaps they do, but do they then actually pay attention to it and act on it?

I mean, the Summer Release was largely designed to try to force guests into booking something other than what they wanted.

Apparently, this evening, Mr Chesky spoke repeatedly about "pointing demand to where we have supply".

So, telling guests where Airbnb wants them to go rather than where the guest wants to, and when they should go, and that they need a giant potato or grand piano, not the white sandy beach that they were craving...

[Gillian166]

@Huma0  this is reminiscent of a former CEO we had who thought it was we, the photographers, who should tell clients what is cool, and that whatever we produced is the only thing they should want. It worked for a while because they leaned heavily into the instagram and vsco filtered stuff, and whilst I 1000% believe in the creative genius of many of my fellow stock photographers, ultimately it put the platform into a niche that was tough to break out of. Having a dynamic, often brilliant, egotistical, i know better than you all type CEO works great for a few years, but not all clients and staff appreciate being treated like they are lesser. 

Chesky telling guests where they should want to stay is reminiscent of that.  

[Huma0]

@Gillian166 Yes, and what happened to 'the customer is always right'?

I remember when I was buying my enormous fridge-freezer-wine fridge combo. The sales guy actually tried to convince me to buy a different model, even though I wanted this one. 

He told me to think about it over the weekend and 'discuss it with your husband'. Lol. You can imagine my reaction to that!

[Huma0]

@Sudsrung0 

I want to be there right now, to be honest!

[Sudsrung0]

@Huma0 

The weather is not to clever at the moment it can be a bit rough out there on a speed boat, 

Lots of people visit James Bond island 

[Huma0]

@Sudsrung0 

Which James Bond movie was that from? A recent one, or one of the old classics?

[Sudsrung0]

@Huma0 

I just checked which one 

The Man With The Golden Gun (1974) Roger Moore 

https://www.007museum.com/bond_island.htm