{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"","title":"EP178: This Week in the World of Airbnb","description":"Friends, foes and IPOs dominated Airbnb news this week. The company’s agreement with the city of Barcelona made headlines, as did its response to the New York hotel industry’s vicious attack ad with a powerful commercial of its own. Is Airbnb getting its proverbial ducks in a row in preparation for an IPO?
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\nHostfully President and Co-Founder David Jacoby joins Jasper to talk through the comprehensive overview of Airbnb that hit the pages of Skift this week, exploring the company’s development and how its preparation to go public is likely affecting leadership’s decisions. They also address the details of the reconciliation with Barcelona and the ongoing rift with the hotel lobby, as well as a recently published Airbnb price comparison map of Europe. Spoiler alert: Macedonia may become a new vacation hotspot for travelers on a budget!
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\nDavid and Jasper close with the popular Q&A portion of the show, speaking to your concerns about the Airbnb Extenuating Circumstances Policy, a possible glitch in the new tool that links calendars for hosts with multiple listings, and listing on multiple platforms. Listen in for property management software recommendations and advice around contacting Airbnb right away when unusual circumstances arise.
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\nTopics Covered
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\nArticle #1: Hunting for an Airbnb Bargain? Map Reveals the Lowest Nightly Rates Around Europe
\n•\tUseful for travelers looking for affordable options
\n•\tIceland is most expensive at £112 (approximately $170)
\n•\tScandinavian countries also expensive
\n•\tMacedonia (£26), Albania (£27) and Moldova (£28) are most affordable ($40-$50)
\n•\tBulgaria, Poland and Slovakia surprisingly affordable
\n•\tRates seem to correlate with how expensive countries are in general
\n•\tGreece, Switzerland much more expensive for party of six vs. party of two
\n•\tAndorra, Liechtenstein very cheap for larger groups
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\nArticle #2: Airbnb Slams NYC Hotel Industry’s ‘Attempt to Protect Their Ability to Price Gouge’ in New Ad
\n•\tResponse to attack ad linking short-term rental to terrorism
\n•\tFeatures stay-at-home dad who supplements income with Airbnb
\n•\tAirbnb spending $500,000 to broadcast
\n•\tHighlights other side of affordable housing debate
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\nArticle #3: Airbnb’s Road to an IPO: Everything You Could Possibly Need to Know
\n•\tComprehensive overview of company
\n•\tDiscusses regulatory battles and discrimination issues
\n•\tExamines Instant Book and employee fatigue
\n•\tAmbition to become a ‘super brand of travel’
\n•\tMentions David and Jasper!
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\nArticle #4: Barcelona and Airbnb Reach Deal After Months of Conflict
\n•\tAirbnb agreed to remove listings lacking permit
\n•\tBarcelona seeks to curb boom of visitors
\n•\tAirbnb resolving disputes city by city
\n•\tPlayed out differently in NY (hosts fined rather than Airbnb)
\n•\tAgreements with local municipalities give Airbnb leg up on competitors
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\nQ1: A guest who had reserved my apartment for a month contacted me to say he wasn’t coming because his wife had passed away; however, he didn’t cancel his reservation. As a result, my calendar was blocked, and I was unable to book any other guests during that time. Now Airbnb has informed me that they are deducting the full amount I received from the guest per the Extenuating Circumstances Policy. I am sympathetic to the guest’s situation, but Airbnb is an important source of income for me. Now I am having trouble contacting Airbnb. What should I do?
\n•\tContact Airbnb right away when uncommon situations arise
\n•\tShould have requested that Airbnb cancel reservation
\n•\tCall 1-855-424-7262 in US
\n•\tSearch Airbnb customer service numbers by country
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\nQ2: I have three listings on Airbnb, and I make use of the option to link the calendars to avoid double bookings.","author_name":"Freewyld Foundry"}