Opinions on Airbnb – accommodations between individuals
Authentic. This trait of character is the one who has always traveled hand in hand with the globe-trotters. Search criteria number 1, authenticity calls for encounters, discovery, to the world as it really is. Today, the “as at home” has the coast and many are the travel platforms to follow the trend.
This is the case of vacation accommodation (or short duration) which for some years has been moving away from large hotels for more economical ground footings. Weekend in love, family stay, holidays with friends or professional travel... Regardless of their profile, travellers are now opting for cheap alternatives that promise a full lifestyle and a certain economy. From youth hostel comparisons to home exchange specialists among individuals, companies extend their offer to new concepts. Among the initiators of the movement, Airbnb, a community platform specializing in renting holidays between individuals. If she is no longer to present, it is because her name resonates today in the world. Default or fortiori? This is what we will discover in our review “Reviews and Tests”.
What is Airbnb?
San Francisco, 2007. Brian Chesky (founder of a design agency) and his roommate Joe Gebbia (without use) can’t reach both ends. When the owner announces an increase in rent, the two friends decide to look at an ultimate solution. And it is a conference on industrial design that, at its expense, will give birth to a concept. The majority of the hotels with full coverage for the event, Brian and Joe put Airbedandbreakfast.com, a website on which they offer participants to come and stay with them on their air mattresses. A paid rental, especially to particular, including a breakfast every morning. Revenue balance: over $1,000 in a few days. Brian contacted his former roommate Nathan Blecharczyk, who quickly joined the adventure to found the start-up Airbnb.
The concept is simple: creating a community of individuals on which guests rent their accommodation. Thus, for a reasonable price, the traveler enjoys accommodation as at home: the type profile of the winning schema. If the beginnings are to start, the strategy is defined, the objectives also and the real business is to live. It follows a fulgurating ascent that projected the three founders under the lights of the ramp. Today, after more than ten years of experience, Airbnb is located in 81,000 cities and 191 different countries and is now part of the heavy weights of the hotel sector, representing several ten billion dollars alone.
How does it work?
On Airbnb, there are two user profiles: the host and the tenant.
Become a host
As a host, you can offer your rental accommodation by registering for free on the website. To claim in due form, you will be subjected to specific tourist rules according to your country . Once these steps have been validated, you just have to take some nice pictures of your accommodation, before completing the description, submit a price and finally post your ad.
Of course, Airbnb is not free in its entirety. As a host, you must take into account the different charges that will be taken from you:
– 3% of commission selected on the total price of your reservation. – 6 to 10% on the price of services
Good to know. : since 2016, Airbnb has been subject to the tax system. Also note that local residence taxes (in place by the municipalities) are charged to the tenant.
Become a tenant
To find accommodation on Airbnb, just go to the website or the mobile app. You will find out the location of your choice, as well as your preferential dates and other selection criteria ranging from the number of travellers, the type of accommodation or the equipment you need. The accommodations that are then offered have a fare at night, you only have to elect the one of your dreams and contact the owner to expose your motivations. Some hosts propose to reserve without an obligation to exchange (immediate booking), however we still recommend that you enter a first dialogue with the latter. Once your request is validated by the host, you only have to wait until the start!
Good to know. :
- Crimea, Iran, Syria, North Korea are subject to international laws that limit the use of the website to residents. As a result, booking services are not available. - The rental rate is carried out up to 24 hours after entering the premises (a certain insurance for both the host and the tenant in the event of a dispute). - Several taxes can be added to the addition: cleaning, living...
Airbnb: Advantages and inconveniences for the host
Benefits
- Without commitment – Rental and modular rates – Rental guarantee up to 800,000 euros of damage – Propice to meetings and sharing – Financial Gain
Disadvantages
– Total management of the property (no intermediary) - Managing potential conflicts/incivility
Airbnb: Advantages and disadvantages for tenants
Benefits
– Large choice of housing - Expanded research criteria - Price more attractive – Concept of "as at home" with all the necessary at hand – To avoid mass tourism – Independence at the time level (excluding entry and exit of premises)
Disadvantages
- High prices according to destination/season – Early booking required according to destination (in high season) - Limited offer in some regions
Airbnb: Editor’s Opinion
Challenged by some cities/regions that require the company to be subject to the same legislative conditions as any hotel service (guarantes, registration fees, insurance...), Airbnb is regularly at the heart of the discussions. The main reasons? Uncontrollable activity in some countries, and competition that is too impactful for the hotel economy. Intra-muros therefore, Airbnb is a regular in court cases. Some procedures could therefore require Airbnb to align itself with its colleagues, which could explain a possible increase in charges/tariffs in the coming years, somewhat denouncing the added value of the concept.
That being said, Airbnb remains above all a full-fledged experience where everyone can find their account, in the sense proper as well as in the figurative. Its name has turned into a reflex for the traveler over the years and despite the competition, the company does not breathe and extends its offer: today, in addition to a housing, you can look for an “experience” according to your destination among 15,000 unique activities “designed and hosted by hosts in more than 1,000 cities around the world.” A good value for money, a community system and an intuitive platform that in short, make Airbnb one of our favourites of accommodation.
Loading comments ...