Airbnb Opens Virtual Travel Experience Amid Global Lockdown
Due to strict travel restrictions0 across the world, Airbnb launches its virtual travel feature. The company announced its new digital offer amidst the social distancing policies implemented.
The new Airbnb Online Experiences offers activities like learning how to cook and bartending sessions. Other features offer virtual bike trips, makeup tutorials, drawing lessons, comedy shows, and even fortune reading.
The company is, of course, greatly affected by the paralyzed economies courtesy of the pandemic. Thus, the online experience is its solution to keep business floating.
Although Airbnb Experience isn’t new on the platform and that it has already been part of the platform since 2016. The feature is part of the technology company’s foray to upgrading the rental application into a full-time travel business.
Among the available experiences are events, tours, and activities that will be hosted by locals.
Because of the pandemic, the company’s operations are in turmoil because of the nature of its business. The company’s services are on pause as major cities close nonessential businesses as the pandemic continues to worsen.
Airbnb is hoping that the introduction of its online experiences will give locals and its host the opportunity to earn.
But before the online tourism platform launched its digital services, technology news sites have covered improvised measures for affected workers. Gym instructors, cooks, musicians, and artists have hosted various online classes and concerts.
The online experiences cost from around a few bucks to as high as $65 per activity for each person.
The tech company said that its hosts will still need to pay a percentage of the experience. This is the commission of Airbnb to cover service fees and other liability insurances.
However, the San Francisco, California-based firm has not yet clarified what the insurance covers.
Refund Problems
Just like most affected companies and businesses, Airbnb has kept in touch with its costumers and hosts. The firm has been updating its policies amidst the travel restrictions because of the virus.
However, it has been met with mixed reactions, with most guests venting out on social media about its services. According to them, the refund policies of the rental company was confusing.
Of course, thanks to modern technology, complaints and claims can now be heard and disseminated faster. Frustrated guests went to Twitter to vent out their concerns and the hashtag #AirbnbRefundNow is flooding them with complaints.
In the updated policies, Airbnb sets qualifications for those who can receive a full cash refund. The refund policies cover only the trips and bookings made on or before March 14.
And if the host/guest contracts the virus, the company will cover customers who have booked reservations after March 14.
