EP154: This Week in the World of Airbnb - a podcast by Jasper Ribbers

Airbnb is learning the art of the deal, and the homesharing platform is all over the news this week for efforts to collaborate with local governments in Latin America, Japanese luxury resorts, and the city of San Francisco.

Jasper is chatting about these partnerships with none other than Hostfully VP of Strategic Partnerships, Nicole Prentice Williams. They explore Airbnb’s proactive approach to compromise with city governments in the growing Latin American market, their deal with Japanese luxury resorts to help boost occupancy, and the $15M agreement to expand their ‘urban campus’ in San Francisco.

They also cover the story of a first-time Airbnb user who was scammed by a phony listing in Amsterdam as well as the details of the registration process for hosts in San Francisco. Listen in to learn about these headlines – and Jasper’s challenging experiences as an Airbnb guest in Moscow and St. Petersburg!

Topics Covered
Article #1: Brit Tourist Scammed Out of £915 for a Holiday Getaway Advertised Through Airbnb in Amsterdam
•Scammer lured first-time Airbnb user with phony listing
•Guest provided email address, received email with payment info
•Sent payment, then learned that listing was fraudulent
•Airbnb typically blocks contact information
•Perhaps email address was provided in screen shot undetected by filter

Article #2: Airbnb Looks to Latin America, Now its Fastest-Growing Market
•Using different approach – collaborating with local governments
•Arrangement with Mexico City to pay 3% tax (consistent with hotels)
•Smart to compromise before resistance, costly litigation
•In talks with Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo as well
•Will be in competition with Hotel Urbano
•Expanding staff and opening offices in Latin America as well

Article #3: Airbnb to Launch Luxury Reservation Service in Japan
•Focus on traditional inns, specialty hotels (i.e.: hot springs resorts)
•Hotels pay 10% commission to Airbnb and Evolable Asia
•Hope to boost low occupancy rates (38% at traditional inns, 57% at resort hotels in 2016)
•Aligns with Experiences initiative
•Need to remain transparent so guests realize booking hotel room

Article #4: Airbnb in Talks for San Francisco Expansion as it Snaps Up Space for Urban Campus
•Leasing office space one block away from headquarters
•$15M expansion will dominate area
•Plan to double the number of employees to 3,000

Article #5: How Does Airbnb’s Deal with SF Work?
•Interview-style article
•Agreement requires hosts to register, can be done through site (Airbnb or HomeAway)
•Registration deadline is September 6, 2017
•Listings without registration number will be blocked
•Neighbors will receive notice of short-term rentals within 300 feet

Resources Mentioned
Article #1:thesun.co.uk/news/3543284/brit-tourist-scammed-airbnb-amsterdam/
Article #2: nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11855376
Article #3: asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Airbnb-to-launch-luxury-reservation-service-in-Japan
Article #4: bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2017/05/09/airbnb-san-francisco-expansion.html
Article #5: sfchronicle.com/business/article/How-does-Airbnb-s-deal-with-SF-work-11139753.php

Connect with Jasper
Email: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com
Twitter: @GetPaidForUrPad
Instagram: @GetPaidForYourPad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpad

This episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free!

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