Dear Community members,
Hope this finds you smiling.
I felt it is important to address the latest Airbnb strict obligation to follow the Airbnb Covid19 policy by Nov 20th, or risk expulsion,
particularly with regards to shared houses.
That is because the policy is not realistically applicable to shared houses, therefor discriminates its hosts and guests.
Airbnb places hosts of shared houses between a rock and a hard place;
Either agree to the policy (that cannot be realistically applied) and compromise their integrity,
or,
Not agree and risk loosing their livelihoods.
I don't think this is how "a community based on trust" should go about things.
Firstly, because it excludes many members of the community, hosts and also guests who can only afford (and prefer the experience of) shared houses.
Secondly, because this policy is extremely one sided in the way it is enforced. It inevitably makes hosts and guests feel that their needs and contributions are being ignored by Airbnb.
Did anyone at Airbnb consider that the policy in question discriminates the least privileged of travelers? That after a terribly hard year it might destroy what little is left of hosts with shared houses? That effectively some hosts would have to be dishonest to keep having food on the table? Is this in line with Airbnb values?
As this is a community based on trust, Airbnb should trust hosts and guests to know and act responsibly. As a host of a shared house in an area with many others like me I can testify that we adhere to local Covid19 regulations, we minimize guest occupancy according to local directives, we insist on tests taken by guests with possible symptoms, we block the calendar when there is a risk or prepare to quarantine the house when necessary, we enhance cleaning efforts and prefer long-term guests, we respect the curfew directed by local authorities and prohibit visitation of non-guests, along with many other important measures.
Guests and hosts are responsible community members and should be trusted by Airbnb, rather then being treated so forcibly with the harshest of measures (exclusion and loss of income).
It is important to acknowledge that other measures, more inclusive, are available to Airbnb regarding the Covid19.
For example, hosts who can and wish to apply the Airbnb Covid policies can gain a badge,
making it possible for guests to choose according to their judgment.
A more severe measure would be to have a Covid19 warning badge "shared house".
Both these measures, one lite, the other harsh, maintain us as a trusted and trustworthy community and more importantly do not make the community feel untrusted and policed with parts of the community ignored and excluded.
I understand the Covid19 time has been difficult on Airbnb, all community members have experienced Airbnb's hardships when interacting with Airbnb lately.
I wish Airbnb management will see that maintaining the inclusive core values of the community is the way to get through these times.
The exclusion and antagonization of hosts and guests, I am sure, is not in the best interest of Airbnb, as they will leave, or even take legal action, as a group/individuals within the community will suffer loss of income as a result of the new policy.
I suggest Airbnb trust its community members, trust that they are responsible and law biding, treat them with the care expected of and by a community of wonderful people who love hosting and travel and making others happy. This was the spirit that made Airbnb grow and losing this spirit might do the opposite. No one has anything to gain from the demise of Airbnb (except for its competitors). I personally wish to see a happy healthy community moving forward.
In light of the above I call on Airbnb to revise said obligation.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Yariv
@Brian
@Stephan-And-Skye0
@Laura3135
@Helen427
@Mike-And-Jane0
