“Most OTAs have reported an uptick in enquiries for localised and regional travel, as also for ‘workations’, which basically means stays for longer durations, from working professionals.
“‘Many of our accommodation partners are offering deals, but we have realised that customers are not travelling due to safety reasons. So, we have introduced a future travel voucher for our customers, using which they can lock in these great prices and travel within the next six to nine months.'”
“Unauthorized parties” have always been against Airbnb’s rules, but they previously allowed hosts to selectively authorize small parties depending on their own preferences.
Airbnb cites the global COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing as a contributing factor to updated rules around group gatherings, including removing from its search tools.
This includes an occupancy cap of 16 guests max at even the largest of the listings available on its platform, and the ban is “in effect indefinitely until further notice,” according to the company.
“We shouldn’t be aspiring to go back to normal. We should be reimagining what normal means.”
“What tourists could potentially come to appreciate is that it’s a much better experience to visit a place that’s protected than one that’s overcrowded.”