Many Airbnb hosts are trying to stay afloat after the demand for short-term rentals has suddenly dried up due to the COVID-19 pandemic, by listing their properties on competing sites, as well as making them available for longer terms at discounted rates. Many have been scrambling to find new guests or longer-term tenants since the …

Most hotels globally will re-open someday after the Coronavirus is brought under control, and will also continue to accept reservations for future stays, so need to make sure they price those stays now. This article discusses various takeaways from previous crises affecting the hospitality industry, including following the example of some hoteliers in Asia-Pacific, who …

Hoteliers have accused OTAs including Expedia and Booking.com of “behaving appallingly” in giving greater flexibility to consumers including abolishing cancellation charges and refunding pre-payments. Many small businesses fear going out of business, since they have to prepare for arrivals but if the guests don’t turn up, they will have to refund them. Read more:

With the COVID-19 pandemic destroying global travel, some hotels are trying a new tactic to boost bookings: targeting guests who face lengthy quarantines. Read more:

Co-living offers a solution to the housing crisis across the world where rentals and other housing are expensive or in short supply, usually giving residents their own private sleeping and bathroom spaces and providing communal kitchens and leisure facilities. The sector is snapping at the heels of serviced apartments and aparthotels, with some providers offering …

When both hosts and guests spend time together in Airbnb accommodation, they don’t relax and act as though they are ‘at home’ but instead behave with the platform’s rating and review system in mind. Macquarie University research shows that Airbnb is now part of the “reputation economy” where both host and guest are reviewed and …

Travel experts from the London-based World Travel & Tourism Council have issued  advice so travellers can continue to move freely but responsibly in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes following government and medical advice, but seeking help if concerned; being suitably insured; postponing trips rather than cancelling; not stigmatising people suffering from common …

In a positional shift, Chinese mobile payment service Alipay has announced it will open its platform to 40 million service providers, as a one-stop platform for various digital services. As a response to Covid-19, Alipay has introduced an incentive programme allowing developers to create mini grocery delivery, legal and medical consultation, logistics and other programmes …

Conde Nast reports how COVID-19 is having major repercussions on the travel industry, with cruise lines pre-screening passengers and stepping up their already stringent cleaning measure, while some airlines are reviewing their cancellation and change policies. Hotels are also doing what they can to minimize the impact on guests whose travel plans have changed, but …

This article in HospitalityNet discusses the question: “What should we say when guests mention coronavirus?”. This might be when guests are calling about booking, or cancellation options for an upcoming stay. Read article: