You Should Know Airbnb’s New Security Feature
After spending so much time alone or locked up with other members of our family during the pandemic, people are returning to travel with enthusiasm, with many going solo.
This is a trend that Airbnb noticed in its internal data : 26 percent of all nights booked in 2021 and more than 50 percent of nights booked for extended stays in the first quarter of 2022 were for people traveling alone. In response, the company recently launched a new feature to help solo travelers stay safe. Here’s what you need to know.
What you need to know about Airbnb’s new security feature
When solo travelers book a private or shared room, Airbnb activates new features in the app . In addition to providing the usual information – check-in/out times, rental route, and how to contact the host – it also gives users expert advice on staying safe when traveling alone.
Travelers will also be able to easily share their Airbnb booking with a friend, family member, or other trusted person so they can be reached in case of an emergency during their stay. The information includes the listing address, the booking code, and the traveler’s arrival and departure dates.
Currently, all Airbnb users traveling alone or with others have the option to add one emergency contact to their profile in case the company needs to contact someone on their behalf. The information can be added in your account settings under the “Personal Information” tab at the bottom of the page and is only visible to Airbnb.
Finally, once the traveler receives a booking confirmation, they will see automatic prompts with questions they can ask the host about the accommodation and the surrounding area.
For now, the new feature is only available in English for single room or shared space bookings made by individual travelers, but Airbnb plans to roll it out to other languages and include entire listings of homes next year.