As we’re barreling toward winter, the holiday season is upon us…and so are our bills. The rent is high, the gas is high, and another recession feels imminent. So, if you can afford to go on a vacation this year, you may be considering cheaper options like home rental properties found on sites like VRBO and Airbnb…
…..or not. According to Insider, Airbnb bookings slowed down this past summer, and more recently, hosts have begun wondering aloud whether other owners are starting to feel the sting. In an online group for superhosts — Airbnb’s term for top-rated and experienced owners renting out their properties on the site — one host asked, “Has anyone seen a huge decrease in bookings over the last three to four months? We went from at least 50% occupancy to literally 0% the last two months.”
After seeing the post, some hosts chimed in to suggest it could be the original questioner’s location attributing to their low booking rate…
…however, after the post was shared on Twitter, thousands of current and former Airbnb users flooded the comment section with their own reasons for why hosts may be seeing a drop off.
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Many expressed feeling that the site was originally a sustainable and wholesome idea for families wanting to rent out their summer home or spare bedroom, but now it seems to them as though businesses have ruined the experience:
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In an age where consumers are more interested in supporting people and values over corporations, renting from those with dozens of properties leaves a sour taste in their mouths.
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They truly hate the idea of short-term rentals taking homes from those who need it.
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Another common theme centered around the price:
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If you’ve ever booked an Airbnb, you know exactly what they mean. An $80 a night room can quickly turn into a $250 stay after arbitrary cleaning and service fees are applied.
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And for that price, people figure they may as well go back to staying in hotels.
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As one user put it, hotels have amenities that can include “concierge, cleaning…rooftop, bar, restaurant, security, pool, taxi stand, and room upgrades for loyalty.” Short-term rentals, on the other hand, have made headlines for hosts allegedly hiding cameras in rooms and refusing guests based on their race.
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On top of this, some hosts require guests to complete cleaning tasks before ending their stay:
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Almost as if you’re an odd jobs freelancer:
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Which I’ve personally never seen as part of a hotel experience.
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And when all the money has been paid, there are still sometimes requests for more:
So, is inflation a contributing factor? Likely. However, as one host who operates without a cleaning fee suggested, providing a quality home without the extra charges and fuss could also bring vacationers back.
What’s the oddest request you’ve received from an Airbnb or VRBO host? Let us know in the comments and we may feature your response in an upcoming post.
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexalisitza/airbnb-bookings-down-twitter-reacts