Airbnb Opens Communication Channels For Hosts

Airbnb is expanding into more cities, allowing experienced hosts to manage multiple listings in more cities and efficiently connecting hosts with each other within the platform.

It’s a growth initiative that’s been in the works for the last few months. Program testing in Tokyo, Toronto, Chicago and Washington, D.C., has led to rolling out the capability for hosts to connect with other hosts, to greet and assist guests but also to help each other manage properties. Starting with Miami, Dublin, Seattle and Austin, the plans are to add more cities this month.

Ironically, the concept for hosts to connect with each other was something the hosts were already doing on their own. The home-sharing company picked up on it and built out the system’s capabilities to simplify these interactions. Hosts have the choice to split or divvy up earnings and send reimbursement payments for necessities, like when a property needs to hire a cleaning service, runs out of toilet paper or a host can’t be there to buy a welcome basket or actually welcome guests themselves.

Ultimately, this trickles down to two main areas: transparency and more revenue for hosts in the long run. The platform engenders transparency as guests can now know who owns the room, apartment or home but also learn who they’ll be meeting upon arrival and connecting with for the duration of their stay. Hosts have a more efficient hosting experience, and while they may shell out a bit more for their fellow helping host, the route to better reviews due to a better experience is enhanced.

Apparently, it’s working. More than 46,000 hosts have already added a co-host to their property.

The ability for a host to add another host is currently only available for “Superhosts,” who have already achieved a certain quality and quantity level of ratings. Airbnb said that won’t be the case forever, as plans are to allow hosts with gaining high ratings status but perhaps not necessarily as high occupancy frequency to participate in these connections.