April 23, 2021
Airbnb is promoting enhanced cleaning protocols for travellers and hosts in this heightened awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With established resorts and hotels applying COVID-19 safety and sanitary protocols, in addition to on-site COVID-19 testing and in some instances, offering vaccinations for guests and hotel workers, the same safety model cannot be used for persons in the Airbnb business.
Caribbean Magazine Plus reached out to Airbnb’s Caribbean and Central America team to find out how they are asking their travellers and hosts on remaining safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an email response they said: “Airbnb has launched an enhanced cleaning protocol where Hosts in more than 220 countries and regions can now enrol their listings in Airbnb’s Enhanced Cleaning Protocol, a comprehensive program with standardized guidelines for cleaning and sanitization for homes and educational materials to support safer travel in communities around the world. We also shared new expert-backed health and safety guidelines on mask-wearing and social distancing, which are especially important for private room hosts.
“Hosts– including those that share private rooms– who complete a quiz and attest to the Enhanced Cleaning Protocol receive a special highlight on their listing to let guests know they have committed to the Protocol’s enhanced cleaning and sanitization routine.
They continued, “Hosts can access the Enhanced Cleaning Protocol materials in their local language through the Resource Centre, including a Quick Start Guide and Cleaning Handbook with guidance on the use of personal protective equipment, how to clean every room in a home, what to sanitize, and what supplies to have on hand. In addition to cleaning guidelines, hosts need to comply with guidance from governments or health authorities in their local jurisdictions. Governments and health authorities can continue to refer to these guidelines to help inform the reopening of communities and their tourism economies. We also remain committed to working with local governments, medical experts and other authorities to help ensure appropriate precautions are taken and support COVID-19 response efforts.”
What is the particular advice for travellers one may ask on top of the increased safety protocols generally, Airbnb said: “While we’re encouraged by the progress being made against the virus, Airbnb’s COVID-19 Safety Practices – which include wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and, for hosts and their teams, abiding by our five-step enhanced cleaning – remains a top priority. That’s why we’ll continue to require all Hosts and guests to commit to the process.”
For hosts on the other hand, Airbnb has a different approach, they said: “Great Hosts on Airbnb create travel experiences that feel easily and safely immersive, giving their guests the keys to the comforts of home and license to explore like a local. Sometimes, this feeling is provided through more than tangible amenities, but in the experience Hosts provide. On this page you can find tips and recommendations from Superhosts on Airbnb on what makes their listings successful.”