Airbnb host spring updates 2024

Airbnb new verification process

Airbnb has introduced a new verification process to ensure trust and transparency on its platform. Almost 1.5 million US, Canada, Australia, UK, and France listings will soon have a reliability badge. The badge guarantees quality and ensures that guests can confidently book their stay. This initiative aims to eliminate doubt and ensure that guests never question the legitimacy of a listing or its location. The focus is on providing guests with genuine experiences in homes that match their description. 

For those wanting to know more, Airbnb provides a comprehensive guide that clarifies the verification process and supports hosts and guests. 

Travelnest is proud to share Airbnb's commitment to safety and authenticity. Before any listing goes live on our network of over 30 booking sites, we conduct a rigorous verification process. This process is not just a procedure; it's a promise. Together with Airbnb, we're setting a new standard for trust in the travel industry, reassuring our guests and hosts alike about the reliability of our listings.

Improvements to Airbnb's Host cancellation policy

We have all experienced the disappointment of a cancelled stay, especially when we have been looking forward to it for a long time. Airbnb recognises the stress cancellations can cause for both guests and hosts, which can potentially harm the trust within our community. Airbnb rolled out new policies and tools designed to slash host cancellations by more than 33%, offering new hosts increased control, and enforcing stricter consequences for unnecessary cancellations. These initiatives aim to bolster confidence in booking with Airbnb.

Understanding that cancellations are an intricate aspect of hosting, Travelnest has taken steps to empower our hosts further on the Airbnb platform. We've introduced the option for non-refundable rates, a feature specifically designed to give our hosts more control over their bookings. This addition not only provides another layer of security but also ensures that hosts have the flexibility to manage their listings in a way that best suits their needs. With the non-refundable rates option, Travelnest and Airbnb are working together to reinforce trust and minimise the hassles of cancellations, making the hosting experience smoother and more predictable for everyone involved.

Airbnb is removing low quality listings 

Airbnb is taking a stand for quality, ensuring guests have top-notch experiences by streamlining their platform to feature only the highest quality listings. In a decisive move, over 100,000 underperforming listings have been removed since the beginning of April 2023. Airbnb emphasizes that quality goes beyond just an overall rating—it's about the complete guest experience. This includes detailed subcategory ratings, host cancellations, and how well community support issues are handled. This rigorous approach is part of their updated hosting quality system, launched in April 2023, focusing on a comprehensive evaluation to meet—and exceed—community expectations.

At Travelnest, we're all about proactive support for our hosts on the Airbnb booking site. We believe in the power of high-quality listings to create unforgettable guest experiences and help hosts secure more bookings and encourage repeat guests. That's why, if you’re a Travelnest customer, we're always here offering tips and insights to help fine-tune your listing. Reflecting Airbnb's new system to remove low-quality listings, we'll soon start alerting hosts if their listings are at risk of not meeting Airbnb's quality standards, providing an opportunity for them to make improvements and keep their listings active and attractive. With Travelnest, you can host with confidence, knowing that we're here to ensure your success, keep you informed, supported, and ready to impress every guest that comes your way.

Hosting in Turkey now requires a license 

Airbnb hosts in Turkey are required to provide their touristic rental residence permit to continue hosting on the platform. As of January 1st, 2024, hosts with vacation rental properties need to obtain a permit certificate and display the permit number in all Airbnb listings. Hosts have until April 30th, 2024 to provide this number. 

Airbnb has created an article to help hosts become familiar with hosting responsibilities and to provide a general overview of different laws, regulations, and best practices that may affect them. Hosts are required to follow Airbnb's guidelines, like the Hosting Standards, and make sure they follow the laws and other rules that apply to their specific circumstances and locale. 

For Travelnest customers listing their properties on Airbnb through Travelnest, it is mandatory to email their tourist rental residence permit number to the customer support team at owners@travelnest.com before April 30th, 2024. Airbnb listings without a touristic rental residence permit will be unlisted until the process is complete. 

Hosts can apply for a permit number through the e-government portal. For any questions about whether a property needs a permit or about additional requirements that may apply to a short-term rental, hosts can check with local authorities by visiting their website or contacting them via email at konutbelgelendirme@ktb.gov.tr.

Spotlight on top homes

Get ready to explore homes that stand out from the crowd. Airbnb is introducing a new highlight for their top homes, making it easier for guests to find that perfect stay. These homes aren’t just anywhere on the list; they’re in the top 10 percent globally, earning a trophy icon for their excellence. And if you're curious about the lower-ranked listings, a new sorting function helps keep things transparent.

Guest favourites and more

Ever wonder which homes are the absolute favourites among guests? With Airbnb's Guest Favourites, guests can now easily pick from two million of the most-loved homes, backed by stellar ratings and reviews from over half a billion trips. Plus, look forward to unique highlights helping these top listings shine even brighter.

This spring update is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting year with Airbnb and Travelnest is proud to work closely with Airbnb to provide a great experience for hosts and guests. With new tools and policies aimed at enhancing hosts’ experience, both hosts and guests have lots to look forward to.