Airbnb announced on Monday that it would allocate $ 250 million to potential hosts to survive financial losses.
San Francisco, United States:
Airbnb announced on Monday that $ 250 million would be made available to help potential hosts survive monetary reimbursement losses for guests who canceled travel plans due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The move was a sort of olive branch that extended to Airbnb hosts blindly affected by the home sharing platform's decision a few weeks ago to provide full refunds to guests who canceled reservations, as health officials and governments demanded to have.
"Please be aware that this decision was not a business decision but was based on protecting public health," said Brian Chesky, co-founder and chief of Airbnb.
"Although I believe we did the right thing in prioritizing health and safety, I'm sorry we communicated this decision to guests without consulting them – as partners should."
Airbnb pays hosts 25 percent of the normal amount due if someone who booked between March 14th and May 31st cancels their stay due to COVID-19.
Travelers who cancel Airbnb reservations made during this period will be promised a full refund or credit for future stays.
"We know this is just a little bit, but a little bit can do a lot at this point," said an apparently contrite Chesky as he discussed Airbnb's latest moves in a live video stream from home.
Airbnb has also set up a $ 10 million aid fund for experienced and highly rated "superhosts" who need help paying their mortgage or rent due to the devastating effects of the corona virus on the travel industry.
Airbnb employees launched the fund at $ 1 million, and the two co-founders contributed the remaining $ 9 million, the company said.
Airbnb extends its platform with a feature that allows users to send money to hosts they connected to during their stay.
"This storm, no matter how bad, will end," said Chesky.
"When it's over, people on the other side will be waiting to get out of their houses. And when they get out of their houses, they'll explore the world and stay with you."
According to Chesky, around 50,000 Airbnb hosts have volunteered to make their homes available to health professionals, assistants and first responders to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Airbnb pays hosts $ 250 million for corona virus cancellations
Health | Virus | US | travel | Airbnb
San Francisco, United States | AFP | 03/31/20 05:28 UTC + 5
Airbnb announced on Monday that $ 250 million would be made available to help potential hosts survive monetary reimbursement losses for guests who canceled travel plans due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The move was a sort of olive branch that extended to Airbnb hosts blindly affected by the home sharing platform's decision a few weeks ago to provide full refunds to guests who canceled reservations, as health officials and governments demanded to have.
"Please be aware that this decision was not a business decision but was based on protecting public health," said Brian Chesky, co-founder and chief of Airbnb.
"Although I believe we did the right thing in prioritizing health and safety, I'm sorry we communicated this decision to guests without consulting them – as partners should."
Airbnb pays hosts 25 percent of the normal amount due if someone who booked between March 14th and May 31st cancels their stay due to COVID-19.
Travelers who cancel Airbnb reservations made during this period will be promised a full refund or credit for future stays.
"We know this is just a little bit, but a little bit can do a lot at this point," said an apparently contrite Chesky as he discussed Airbnb's latest moves in a live video stream from home.
Airbnb has also set up a $ 10 million aid fund for experienced and highly rated "superhosts" who need help paying their mortgage or rent due to the devastating effects of the corona virus on the travel industry.
Airbnb employees launched the fund at $ 1 million, and the two co-founders contributed the remaining $ 9 million, the company said.
Airbnb extends its platform with a feature that allows users to send money to hosts they connected to during their stay.
"This storm, no matter how bad, will end," said Chesky.
"When it's over, people on the other side will be waiting to get out of their houses. And when they get out of their houses, they'll explore the world and stay with you."
According to Chesky, around 50,000 Airbnb hosts have volunteered to make their homes available to health professionals, assistants and first responders to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
