Airbnb will block some July 4 bookings to prevent house parties
If you want to book Airbnb for an Independence Day getaway, you better hope your user history is in order.
The company is continuing its crackdown on house parties by blocking guests "without a history of positive reviews on Airbnb" from making single-night reservations for homes in the United States during July 4 weekend.
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The move is part of Airbnb's just-announced eight-point plan, called Summer of Responsible Travel. Among the plan's key initiatives is continuing its ban on house parties, which began last year in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Airbnb also says it has increased staffing on its 24-hour Neighborhood Support hotline by more than 50% to help neighbors report any issues that come up. Staffers who speak Spanish are also being added. Airbnb also is providing discounts for noise-detection devices for hosts to install at their homes — hosts who use these devices must disclose them in listings.
Related: 15 tips that will help you score the perfect Airbnb every time
The company explained that its rules implementations are because health experts still advise against having large get-togethers or parties during the ongoing pandemic. While bookers with a history of negative reviews will be blocked from one-night holiday weekend bookings, guests who have a history of positive reviews on Airbnb or who already booked their one-night reservation will not be subject to the new restriction.
Another element the company is adding is putting greater emphasis on its House Rules. They will now be listed more prominently in listings. According to Airbnb's statement, "This helps communicate those important rules loud and clear while aligning expectations between Hosts and guests to try to ensure respectful treatment of properties and neighbors during stays."
Despite the restrictions, Airbnb is expecting a summer rental boom as travelers resume taking vacations as more people get vaccinated.
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