Airbnb extends ‘Experiences’ programme across Thailand

[webfact]

Airbnb extends ‘Experiences’ programme across Thailand

By The Nation

 

 

Hospitality platform Airbnb has launched “Experiences” in Chiang Mai to support the city as an ever-popular global travel destination.

 

Airbnb welcomed more than 160,000 guests from 135 countries to Chiang Mai in 2017, with an average growth of 71 per cent year-over-year. 

 

Airbnb Experiences give travellers unprecedented insider access through selected activities arranged by local experts. 

From being immersed in the Hmong community to learning about the traditional yantra tattoo, Airbnb uses technology as a platform to connect people and create cross-cultural interaction.

 

“Travellers are increasingly interested in exploring authentic experiences through the eyes of locals,” said Parin Mehta, director of Experiences Asia Pacific. 

 

“This is not just about foreign travellers, either. Domestic travel is also on the rise, with 60 per cent growth in domestic guest arrivals from the past year. Locals are finding new ways to rediscover and enjoy the magic and hospitality of what their country has to offer.”

 

Globally, Airbnb offers 13,000 Experiences in 180 cities. In Thailand, Chiang Mai is the second-largest market for Experiences after Bangkok. 

 

Airbnb has expanded its platform across the country, where individuals or professional tour guides can now request to list on the platform and connect with the global network of more than 300 million Airbnb travellers.

 

“As tourism in Thailand continues to grow rapidly, it is increasingly important to promote sustainable travel,” said Worapong Phukpoo, head of research at Thailand’s Community Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I). 

 

“We are heartened that Airbnb is empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening communities by providing a global platform for them to share their passions and businesses.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30348731

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-27

[impulse]

Just curious what percentage of their Thai based revenue that AirBNB offered up in taxes to benefit the Thai people?

 

I think I know the answer, but I'm open to being corrected.

[cmsally]

Just as it turns out most of the hosts don't hold hotel licenses; one can only wonder whether the "experiences" are offered by TAT licensed operators.

This should be fun!

What percentage of their commission goes towards "supporting the city"??

[Thaidye]

Hmm, I think it was one month ago that there was an announcement made that Airbnb was no longer allowed to operate in Thailand. 

Sorry, I thought I was too lazy to look up the article, but I did it anyway; https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1467442/airbnb-bookings-illegal-court-declares

 

 

[Destiny1990]

Weird article i was under the impression that airbnb was not allowed in Thailand?

[Thailand]

Rented my house out to Chinese beginning of 2016. 

 

After a couple of months or so a neighbor told me that a lot of people seemed to be coming and going. Asked tenants and they said they had a few a few friends staying, we reminded them of the contract and that they cannot sublet etc.

 

Being of suspicious mind I Googled my address, guess what, there were 31 links to different companies from Booking.com,Agoda.com,AirBNB and a multitude of others offering our house as "------ Boutique Hotel"! ? It also turned out they were using the property for storage of latex pillows etc for export to China!

 

It was easy to get them out after that and obviously forfeited their deposit,they were subsequently reported to the police/immigration by our Thai neighbor- nothing was done as we recently discovered they are still here carrying on in the same way.

 

Now, it is very easy to get "your property" uploaded to the many sites that deal with this form of provision of accommodation. It is nigh on impossible to get them to remove the property even when presented with all the evidence that the information had been uploaded illegally and without owners permission.

 

Note this was over 1.5 years ago, just checked there are still 10 links to websites advertising our property as a "hotel".

What do we think of AirBNB and all the others in this business,I think you can guess!

[Thailand]

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

Rented my house out to Chinese beginning of 2016. 

 

After a couple of months or so a neighbor told me that a lot of people seemed to be coming and going. Asked tenants and they said they had a few a few friends staying, we reminded them of the contract and that they cannot sublet etc.

 

Being of suspicious mind I Googled my address, guess what, there were 31 links to different companies from Booking.com,Agoda.com,AirBNB and a multitude of others offering our house as "------ Boutique Hotel"! ? It also turned out they were using the property for storage of latex pillows etc for export to China!

 

It was easy to get them out after that and obviously forfeited their deposit,they were subsequently reported to the police/immigration by our Thai neighbor- nothing was done as we recently discovered they are still here carrying on in the same way.

 

Now, it is very easy to get "your property" uploaded to the many sites that deal with this form of provision of accommodation. It is nigh on impossible to get them to remove the property even when presented with all the evidence that the information had been uploaded illegally and without owners permission.

 

Note this was over 1.5 years ago, just checked there are still 10 links to websites advertising our property as a "hotel".

What do we think of AirBNB and all the others in this business,I think you can guess!

We do still have a 3 star rating on Agoda.com  

[cmsally]

It would seem that Air BnB is collecting a 20% commission on all listings for "experiences". (I stand open to correction if I have misunderstood that figure.)

Would be interested to know what percentage of that Air BnB will use to "support the city". Of course any "above board" tour operators selling on here will still be paying tax as normal, so in effect one chunk to Air BnB and the normal to local govt. Unless they (the operators) raise their prices by 20 % , local govt have in effect lost 20% of their taxable base.

[stevehhd]

On 6/30/2018 at 12:26 PM, cmsally said:

It would seem that Air BnB is collecting a 20% commission on all listings for "experiences". (I stand open to correction if I have misunderstood that figure.)

Would be interested to know what percentage of that Air BnB will use to "support the city". Of course any "above board" tour operators selling on here will still be paying tax as normal, so in effect one chunk to Air BnB and the normal to local govt. Unless they (the operators) raise their prices by 20 % , local govt have in effect lost 20% of their taxable base.

Of course the owners/operators set the price to cover any agents fees they have to pay. They would be stupid if they did not. If the agent is in Thailand they pay taxes in Thailand. If the agent is in another country they pay taxes in that country.

 

Companies like Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, Tripadvisor etc. Are simply agents that offer multiple choices to suit all kinks of traveller. If property owners feel that they are losing business then they need to took at their product and the requirements of the client base in order to adapt their product  and their marketing in order to compete.

 

My days of carrying a ruck sack, sweating, clutching an out of date Lonely Planet looking for a bargain as " Part of the adventure " are long gone. I want my accommodation sorted and paid for in advance. Maybe I will just book a few days for arrival and have a look around then book another couple of days for the way back. Sites like Airbnb and many others give you a wide choice and genuine reviews from real guests. That is a big deciding factor for me as to where to stay.

 

stevehhd