Have you seen a change in guest attitudes over the last couple of years?

Have you seen a change in guest attitudes over the last couple of years?

I started as a host about three years ago.  We have a modest mother-in-law apartment in a rural area in CT.  We work hard to provide value for the experience and reamin much cheaper than the inns and hotels around us.  At the beginning, the guests were great.  We really enjoyed the experience.  Now, however, it feels like people are treating us more like a cheap motel than like home hosts.  Their expectations are not those of people who understand that they are staying in someone's HOME.  

 

Anyone else feel like the Airbnb clientele has changed in the past few years and that it's all becoming just another commercial enterprise?

4 Replies 4

@Laurie-And-Michael0:
Try adjusting your price. Airbnb has distinct client levels at different pricing. People who don't care about your home tend to look for cheaper pricing. People who find fault with everything tend to be higher price. Adjust your price up or down until you find the best clientele for your home. You may have to adjust every so often as needed.

@Laurie-And-Michael0 

 

No, Laurie - I do not think changing the price will overcome this problem. It is universal, yes - more and more travelers are using Airbnb mostly as an alternative to a chip motel. You have just to swollow it - the most important thing is to have guests. You cannot change guests attitude by changing the price. That is just my opinion.   

Alice491
Level 4
Coogee, Australia

I would like Airbnb to start to re-education guests on protocols in staying in other people's homes. Like anything as time wears on, the guests' manners and expectations start to deteriorate. I do not approve of you not allowing us to see the guest's photo. I have noticed lately the last 3 guests choose instant book and don't answer the guest requirement questions. They basically want to book your HOME as if it's a hotel. They behave as if you have no right to ask who and why they are coming into your home. They are also not reading the house rules which makes for a very uncomfortable stay for the host or bad reviews just because someone has not read details of the listing. I am getting increasingly uncomfortable with using this platform as it is feeling more unsafe and far less control of your own home. Please re-education guests we are not hotels, we are homes, we are not places to freely walk in and out of as you please and without introducing yourself.

Emiel1
Level 10
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

@Laurie-And-Michael0 

The "magic" has gone and will not return.It happens to everything new at some point. Airbnb has become an ordinary booking site. The review system is obsolete and the Customer Service is below avarage. But Airbnb is still sending me guests, allthough i have to filter out the crap myself. But despite my acceptance rating is very low (advantage: no need to contact Airbnb because of bad guests), i am happy with them.