For instance, here are some facts that might make us think twice about using Airbnb and similar services in the below major cities. Just because there are listings for a destination doesn’t mean the host and Airbnb are abiding by the local laws. This is a pretty surprising and very important point. Airbnb could be illegal in the city you’re visiting While Airbnb’s slogan is “travel like a local”, there are some dark truths that actually make life more difficult for the locals they claim to support.ġ. If you answered no, the below facts may give you reason to reconsider using homestay accommodation services like Airbnb for your next trip. If you answered yes to these questions, you’re likely to prefer hotels and other forms of traditional accommodation. Do you also prefer to enjoying everything a city has to offer without feeling like you’re getting in the way of locals going about their daily lives?.Do you value your precious travel time, hate inconveniences and prefer to play it safe with accommodation rather than put yourself in a position that could have been avoided when you travel?.I’ve stayed in many throughout the UK, Europe, New Zealand & Japan and fully support these businesses. These are completely fine as they are regulated and in areas zoned for tourists. To clarify, in this opinion piece I’m not referring to traditional Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodations. The place was fine (although I prefer to have my own bed rather than share with a friend!) Despite this and combining it with the facts I discuss below, it wasn’t for me and may not be for others as well. I was with a group for a girls’ getaway and my friend had booked the accommodation on our group’s behalf. There’s a saying, “Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it” so truth be told, I have stayed in an Airbnb before. I can totally hear people questioning my logic… They’re thinking, “But, aren’t you all about travelling like a local and helping people learn how to not look like a tourist? Then what’s wrong with renting a local’s place on Airbnb? It’s harmless and it’s cheaper than hotels, right?” Airbnb problems: Important reasons to reconsider using these services It also features in my #1 Amazon New Release book, which outlines my blueprint for what we can do as tourists to enrich our travel experiences and avoid contributing to issues caused by overtourism. This article forms part of my top strategies for to how to be a responsible a tourist, detailing effective tips towards ethical tourism to benefit visitors and locals alike. Be sure to read my concluding comments for my overall thoughts on short-term homestay services. NOTE: I first published this article in March 2018 and have updated it since to reflect more recent events. In saying that, there is a time and a place for these services so I’d rather speak about the unpopular truths that seem to become buried under the discount codes that are worth considering before booking a stay with a homestyle accommodation service like Airbnb. Many of my fellow travel bloggers could get you discounts on your first Airbnb booking and that’s fine, too. Different people prioritise different things because there are different types of travellers. Yes, loads of people use Airbnb all the time without issues and that’s fine. Sitting on the sidelines with one watchful eye monitoring this trend, as usual I decided to be a bit of a skeptic before jumping on the bandwagon and investigate the little-known facts about using a service like Airbnb for myself.ĭespite its growing popularity there are some pretty troubling issues with Airbnb and similar counterparts, leading many to ask if there are any ethical alternatives to Airbnb? Here I’ll reveal what it’s like to lift the lid on the hidden Pandora’s box of this craze – the results may surprise you, as they did me! In recent years, the use of Airbnb and other home-stay accommodation has exploded internationally. “As Invisible Tourists, we want to support locals of the places we visit, not make their lives more difficult.” ~ Alyse.
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