@Emiel1
"I think If a returning guest first makes again an inquiry, then a special offer can still be sent"
No it doesn't work that way Emiel!. I have been through this so many times because we do get a lot of return guests......and if a guest initially is introduced to me by Airbnb, I like any future business with that guest to remain through Airbnb. Call it stupid, call it loyalty, I just prefer to do business that way. I do quite a few off platform bookings but, not if Airbnb have first been involved.
The way the system works, if a previous guest sends a new enquiry, that enquiry attaches itself to the existing message stream with that guest, and because their stay has concluded the opportunity to send a special offer for dates they may request does not exist.
I have two options only open to me.
1/......Get the guest to book as a new booking and once the booking has been processed return a percentage of their payment via the 'Change or Cancel Reservation' tab if the booking is upcoming (which is risky the way stays can cancel in these Covid times) or, the 'Send or Request money' tab once the stay has taken place.
2/......Establish exactly when the guest is ready to book via the existing message stream and when they tell me they are ready, on my calendar I alter the pricing for the dates they require and they immediately book those dates, hopefully before another guests jumps in and grabs them.
Emiel, I have had this out with customer support but trust me those are my only two options and I do use them frequently.
I can understand why many hosts would just say, 'well bugger Airbnb', secrete their phone number tactfully into the message stream because personal phone numbers disappear once the stay is completed, and do the business outside of Airbnb.
I do hate the fact that we as hosts are at no point in the process to be trusted. Airbnb is like a 'helicopter parent' hovering over us monitoring every shady move they think we are going to pull on the company or the guest.
Anyway, I deal with it as best I can!....... All the best Emiel!
Cheers.......Rob