Earn Money with Airbnb: A Comprehensive Guide
Airbnb is an online marketplace that offers a wide variety of accommodations and activities around the world. Founded in San Francisco in 2008, the company's core idea was created by including the "air bed and breakfast" in the living room and marketing it online. Thanks to the high cost of hotels and the difficulty of booking in the Gulf region, the idea was a great success. Currently, Airbnb has more than 7 million listings worldwide and is valued at around $26 billion as per April 2020 estimates.
Understanding Airbnb for Hosts and Guests
People who list properties on Airbnb are referred to as "hosts," and they don't have to have professional hospitality experience. Hosts can provide any type of accommodation, from shared rooms and private rooms to entire homes and apartments to hotel rooms. Some of them consider this rental as a hobby, while others manage large listings and handle hundreds of properties simultaneously.
How Airbnb Builds Trust
Airbnb uses a system of reviews to build trust between hosts and guests. After each stay, guests rate their host and property, and the host rates the guest as well. These reviews are public. Properties receiving persistent negative ratings may be removed from the site.
Additional Features and Options
Luxury hotels with good reviews may be invited to join Airbnb Plus, and properties can join groups like "Airbnb for families" and "Airbnb for work" if they offer amenities appropriate to certain types of guests. In addition to accommodations, the site offers Airbnb Experiences, which are tours or activities run by locals, such as cooking classes and guided outdoor adventures.
Opinions on Airbnb
Opinions about Airbnb vary. Positive reviews praise the wide selection of accommodations, interaction with local hosts, and affordable rates. Negative reviews often cite issues like late responses by hosts, inaccurate descriptions, or problems with cleanliness. To have a positive experience, users are advised to read reviews, verify information, and contact hosts before booking.
Finding Airbnb Forums
You can find forums about Airbnb at:
- Airbnb's Official Community Hub: A place for hosts and guests to connect, share experiences, and get answers to questions. Access via the official Airbnb website.
- Airhosts Forum: An unofficial forum for Airbnb hosts to discuss tips and experiences. Join discussions with other property managers and landlords.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Airbnb charge hosts? Yes, Airbnb charges a host service fee of 3% for most listings and a guest service fee of 10-14%. Premium and Airbnb Plus listings have higher fees.
- Does Airbnb collect taxes? Yes, Airbnb collects and remits taxes from guests in many areas. Check Airbnb's Tax Collection page for details.
- Is the Airbnb mobile app available? Yes, the app is available on iOS and Android for easy browsing and booking.
- What is a Superhost? A Superhost is a top-rated host meeting specific criteria, including a 90% response rate and a guest rating of at least 4.8 out of 5.