Airbnb is to accommodation platforms what Facebook is to social media, but was relatively slow to take off in Cyprus.That has changed, not only in tourist areas at the beach but even in Nicosia, which in 2010 had no listed properties....
Read the article and chat about it below...
Airbnb gaining ground ahead of busy tourist season
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Paphos Life
- Posts: 3137
- Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:20 am
Re: Airbnb gaining ground ahead of busy tourist season
Having experience, I would add some warning,..
They dont pay out until 24 hours after guest arrives.
They are very guest, rather than 'host' focussed.
Their interface is actually rather confusing, deliberately, as they are keen for you to put your prices in their hands, lowering prices to encourage sales. They need sales more than you. With us, they once sold at a third of the price, even though we expolicityly prevented that. Thy eventually admitted to an error on their end!!!!
I have had friends let properties in cities, for a few nights over peak periods, like New Year and had luxury flats trashed. While insurance and so on can compensate, no coverage for loss business in the interim.
So, I caution participation. Go in with eyes open. Only accept verified guests, (they need to send passport scans etc. Otherwise can be impossibleble to track)
Guests can also complain that something isn't right and get full return of money. It's up to you to deal with the stress of counter arguing and perhaps fasting negative reviews.
Never had these problems myself, but know people who have. If you are careful (very) then it can work out.... Unfortunatley, Airbnb is growing. I say that from an educated position. Large US companies like this aren't in it to help guests or hosts. Companies like Ownerdirect and so on are now being bought over by large companies like Booking.com making life difficult for owners again.
They dont pay out until 24 hours after guest arrives.
They are very guest, rather than 'host' focussed.
Their interface is actually rather confusing, deliberately, as they are keen for you to put your prices in their hands, lowering prices to encourage sales. They need sales more than you. With us, they once sold at a third of the price, even though we expolicityly prevented that. Thy eventually admitted to an error on their end!!!!
I have had friends let properties in cities, for a few nights over peak periods, like New Year and had luxury flats trashed. While insurance and so on can compensate, no coverage for loss business in the interim.
So, I caution participation. Go in with eyes open. Only accept verified guests, (they need to send passport scans etc. Otherwise can be impossibleble to track)
Guests can also complain that something isn't right and get full return of money. It's up to you to deal with the stress of counter arguing and perhaps fasting negative reviews.
Never had these problems myself, but know people who have. If you are careful (very) then it can work out.... Unfortunatley, Airbnb is growing. I say that from an educated position. Large US companies like this aren't in it to help guests or hosts. Companies like Ownerdirect and so on are now being bought over by large companies like Booking.com making life difficult for owners again.
