Checking closely all host applications in UKRAINE – Airbnb
Since the Ukraine crisis began, Airbnb has captured headlines worldwide – firstly with its free offer. Afterwards, with short-term housing for 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, then with the suspension of its operations in Russia and Belarus and finally with the grassroots movement of people around the world booking properties in Ukraine as a way to support hosts. Checking closely all host applications in UKRAINE – Airbnb
According to Airbnb, more than 61,000-night bookings for properties in Ukraine in the first two days, and $1.9 million revenue for hosts, with no fees collected from guests or hosts.
Despite the best intentions of the donors, the creative strategy to help people in Ukraine raises questions about whether it can be misappropriated by people looking to take advantage, such as by creating a fraudulent listing.
Checking closely all host applications in UKRAINE – Airbnb
“We are closely evaluating all the listing activity in Ukraine, and we have very, very robust measures in place to detect fraud across our platform,” explains Catherine Powell – Global head of hosting,
Airbnb’s website shows over 300 properties in Ukraine, and the platform is still accepting new hosts. This is partly to meet the needs of people fleeing their homes but still looking for accommodation in Ukraine.
“We are tracking it very closely, tracking where there is a need for bookings and what each listing looks like. So, we are evaluating very closely,” she says.
Airbnb.org
Airbnb.org, the nonprofit that provides temporary housing during times of crisis, Airbnb.org, is coordinating efforts to provide free temporary housing for Ukrainian refugees.
Approximately 30,000 hosts are registered at Airbnb.org worldwide – over 15,000 of them just in the last 10 days. Refugees can stay for free or for a discount on Airbnb.org. Airbnb and donations to Airbnb.org pay for the stay.
Nearly 14,000 donors in 72 countries contributed more than $1.2 million to the nonprofit last week in only 48 hours.
Airbnb.org hosts receive the same benefits as their counterparts, including Aircover’s $1 million liability and $1 million damage protection insurance.
Currently, Airbnb.org is actively trying to sign up more hosts. From 08/03, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, Airbnb.org provides free accommodation to Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries. (Poland, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia)
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Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash
