CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Airbnb has released safety tips for the Charlotte host community in preparation for the record number of travelers during All-Star Weekend.
According to Airbnb, Charlotte will earn earn a record $855,000 in supplemental income with over 3,800 guests descend upon the Queen City and surrounding area this weekend. The influx of guests will shatter the record for highest surge in Charlotte in the history of Airbnb’s platform.
More first-time Charlotte hosts will welcome guests than in any other time during the history of Airbnb’s platform as well. Nearly twenty percent of the 940 Charlotte hosts will be doing so for the first time, as many hotels are reportedly sold out.
Airbnb says hosting is a big responsibility and the platform is sharing the following safety tips for Charlotte hosts this weekend:
- Always Communicate Through the Platform — Never Offline: Bad actors may try to take advantage of the surge in activity during big events like this by luring people into offline scams where Airbnb can no longer monitor or protect you. All you need to do to protect yourself is to stay on our secure Airbnb platform throughout the entire process — from communication, to booking, to payment.
- Keep Safety Info & Equipment Handy: It’s important to equip your home and your guests with the safety essentials they might need during their trip. This includes things like a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit.
- Set Clear Expectations: Your listing description should let potential guests know about the unique features and amenities of your home. Even small details like the number of flights of stairs to your front door can help make sure guests enjoy their time with you. As a host, you can also outline specific expectations in your house rules. Outlining quiet hours will be particularly important for this weekend, as many guests may need to attend networking or sponsor events in Downtown Charlotte that could have them leaving early in the morning or getting back on the later side.
- Get to Know Your Guest in Advance: Our secure messaging tool gives you the chance to get to know guests and answer or ask any questions that come up before or during the trip. Messaging is also a great place to coordinate things like check-in or provide local recommendations, as many guests will be experiencing Charlotte for the first time. Find out specifically what’s bringing your guest to Charlotte this weekend — networking, supporting their favorite player, working as a vender at one of the events, etc. — and use that information to provide the most personable and safe experience possible.
- If Anything Isn’t Right, Reach Out: In the rare event that an issue should arise, our team is available 24/7 in 11 languages to support you and your guests—all you have to do is reach out. Our team is aware of the big weekend Charlotte has coming and is prepared to support you. We offer things like rebooking assistance, refunds, reimbursements, our $1 million Host Guarantee, and Host Protection Insurance program to help make things right.
- Serve as an Ambassador for Charlotte: Thousands of visitors will be experiencing Charlotte for the first time — and our shared hope is that this event can infuse a lasting economic impact by encouraging them to come back again and again. You can help realize that vision by providing an amazing — and safe! — experience that will have them already planning their next flight to Charlotte.
