EDITOR'S COMMENT
• Airbnb hosts and guests could have been forgiven for a sense of déjà vu this week. Global head of operations, Tara Bunch, said that the platform would soon require verification from a valid government-issued ID or a legal address at the time of reservation, and the move brings Airbnb closer in line with hotel-like check-ins.
Upon the request of hosts, Airbnb is taking additional steps to enhance the safety of its community by using technology to confirm and verify the identity of bookers, as well as conducting manual reviews, in order to eliminate fraudulent activity on its platform. The company has already rolled out products aimed at promoting a safe experience for solo travellers and has increased its reliance on machine learning to prevent house parties.
It was back in 2019 after a shooting at a listing in Orinda, California [killing five people] led Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky to pledge that his company would verify 100 per cent of its listings, and while a number of features have since been introduced [a guest guarantee and 24/7 neighbour hotline] and a permanent global house party ban has been implemented, incidents are still occurring in listings.
Whether it is further violent incidents, hidden cameras in properties or carbon monoxide deaths, Airbnb still has a long way to go to prove that its actions speak louder than words. The major OTAs will all be under pressure to heighten their identity procedures too, and the strengthening of short-term rental regulations around the world will also accelerate this.
• Entries are pouring in from around the world for the 2023 Shortyz Awards and you now have one month left to submit your no-cost entries by Monday 6 March. Find the key information below:
- Category information can be found here
- Have a look at our 'out of this world' venue here
- Watch this short video for our top tips on how to submit a successful Shortyz entry
- Enter via our dedicated awards platform
- Hear from last year's winners, including HomeToGo and Breezeway
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