EDITOR'S COMMENT
• When we spoke to Catherine Powell, global head of hosting at Airbnb, at the Skift Future of Lodging Forum, she discussed how the company was enhancing safety and security on its platform. In Airbnb's Summer Release this week, we learned what she meant as the company released 50+ new features and upgrades for both hosts and guests, promising an “all-new take on the original Airbnb”.
While anticipating more than 300 million expected guest arrivals on the platform this year, Airbnb has launched a new Rooms category that will feature redesigned filters and added privacy features, as well as a ‘Host Passport’, allowing guests to get to know their host/s before they stay, giving them added peace of mind about who they are staying with. It is Airbnb's acknowledgement that its host and guests are seeking more reassurance about safety provisions, three months after the company announced that it would require verification from a valid government-issued ID or a legal address at the time of reservation.
On top of this, Airbnb is consciously highlighting "transparency" across its new features and upgrades, particularly when it comes to checkout instructions and pricing displays, after users decried the lack of visibility for total prices pre-tax for short-term rental bookings. One imagines that hosts and property managers may come under pressure to reduce or cut cleaning fees altogether, and platforms will need to be equally transparent.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky is usually vocal on Twitter and has hinted at future upgrades, including "better customer service", a "guest loyalty programme" and "lower prices".
• Make sure to tune into our next STRz webinar today [4pm BST] as a rockstar panel discusses "How far can AI / automation make hospitality / accommodation a lean business?". Klaus Kohlmayr [IDeaS Revenue Solutions], Ankita Mehta [OYO], Adir Ron [Duve], Alex Medovoi [AltexSoft] will join me for a session that looks set to have a record number of signups for a STRz webinar - sign up for free here.
Scroll down for the latest industry news.
• Please click here if you have a story you want us to tell the industry, or would like to be considered for a feature, podcast or webinar.
For more information and sponsorship / creative solutions advice, contact us at info@internationalhospitality.media.
