Airbnb: New Year, New Rules

On Thursday, Airbnb announced plans to cut down on rowdy parties this New Year’s Eve by implementing “heightened rules and technologies aimed at helping to stop unauthorized parties over New Year’s Eve in 11 countries.” 

The rental company is forbidding certain users from booking entire properties for one night in an attempt to cut down on unwarranted celebrations this year.

According to the company’s statement, “These restrictions will see a ban on one-night bookings of entire home listings for guests without a positive account history – or no previous bookings at all – on the platform. We’re also introducing tighter restrictions for those same guests who try to book two- and three-night reservations, with an emphasis on attempts to book locally.” 

Airbnb’s Director of Trust Product and Operations, Naba Banerjee, explained, “These proactive defenses will help to promote responsible travel and help to prevent rare instances of unwelcome behaviour, and enable Hosts, guests and communities to enjoy their end of year celebrations with added reassurance.”  

These rules follow the “trial” restrictions put in place last year that were ultimately successful. According to the statement, “Last year, approximately 340,000 guests globally were blocked or redirected from attempting to book on Airbnb over NYE, including more than over 34,500 guests in the UK.”