Accommodation
Airbnb to introduce new anti-discrimination rules
Airbnb is tackling allegations of racism with a new anti-discrimination pledge that must be accepted by all property owners using the site.
Owners of properties listed for rent must comply with the new anti-discrimination measures, or stop taking listings from the site.
Airbnb is an international online operator that matches people with properties for rent with those who are looking for accommodation.
It is expected to book half a billion guest nights a year internationally within the next five years.
But there had been reports that Airbnb was not handling complaints of racism well – some travellers said they had been rejected by hosts because they were black.
One man was rejected for a stay in a property that later accepted him when he used a fake profile for a white man requesting the same dates.
He has since filed suit against Airbnb.
Another case got attention in June when Airbnb removed a host in North Carolina who purportedly used a racial slur to reject a booking by a black woman.
Now those who own property for rent on the site are being told they must sign up to a "community commitment" that starts on November 1.
That means owners agree to treat everyone with respect, and without judgement or bias, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, age or sexual orientation.
After November 1, any property owners logging in to Airbnb will be shown the commitment and asked to accept it.
Those who decline will not be able to take any bookings.
"Discrimination is the opposite of belonging, and its existence on our platform jeopardises this core mission," said founder and chief executive Brian Chesky in an email to Airbnb users.
"Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them. Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry. I take responsibility for any pain or frustration this has caused members of our community.
"We will not only make this right; we will work to set an example that other companies can follow."
He said guests who felt they had been discriminated against would be able to ask Airbnb to find them another place to stay - or if there was nothing available on the site, alternative accommodation.
Written by Susan Edmunds. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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