Bookings for Airbnb and Vrbo accommodations within the path of the upcoming total solar eclipse have reached unprecedented levels, with 92% of listings within the zone of totality already booked for April 7th. However, limited inventory and early reservations have prevented hosts from capitalizing on the surge in demand, resulting in a relatively modest revenue increase. The eclipse will be visible from several cities, leading to increased hotel occupancy rates and elevated prices. Despite the potential for price hikes, many Airbnb hosts missed the opportunity to raise rates early, resulting in only a slight revenue bump.
A mother shared her frustration on Reddit after her daughter-in-law refused to accommodate her nut allergy for a dinner party at their new house, insisting she bring her own food. The mother had always made special meals for her vegetarian daughter-in-law but was upset when the same courtesy wasn't extended to her. Reddit users overwhelmingly supported the mother, criticizing the daughter-in-law for being inhospitable and unreasonable. The daughter-in-law's refusal to make adjustments for a serious allergy sparked a heated debate, with many expressing disbelief at her lack of consideration.
A traveler shares their experience staying at the Trump International Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, for a family wedding, where they were upgraded to a three-bedroom suite that typically costs over $1,300 a night. The hotel's location along Ireland's southwest coast provided breathtaking views, and the luxurious yet modern cottage feel of the hotel left a lasting impression, making the experience worth the expense.
The UK government is expected to end deals with over 100 hotels that house asylum seekers, particularly in Conservative target seats, in an effort to reduce the £8 million daily bill for accommodation. The plan, which was supposed to be announced by Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, has been delayed. The Home Office has faced pressure to cut spending on hotels for asylum seekers, and the new plan aims to terminate deals with hotels in areas including Wigan and Stoke by the end of March. The government hopes to reduce costs by using more mass accommodation options such as former military bases and barges. The decrease in the number of asylum seekers arriving by small boats across the Channel this year may contribute to cost reduction.
A plus-size influencer who previously petitioned for airlines to provide free extra seats for larger passengers is now calling on hotels to make various changes to better accommodate overweight guests. In a TikTok video, she listed demands such as wider hallways, size-inclusive bathrooms, raised toilet seats, and sturdier chairs. While some supported her mission, others criticized her for not taking personal responsibility and labeled her demands as entitled. The influencer aims to make the travel industry more accessible and accommodating for all body types.
Passalacqua in Moltrasio, Lake Como, Italy has been named The World's Best Hotel for 2023. The list of The World's 50 Best Hotels includes properties from Europe, Asia, and North America, with Passalacqua taking the top spot. Other notable hotels on the list include Rosewood Hong Kong, Four Seasons Bangkok, Aman Tokyo, and Aman New York. The list was created by The World's 50 Best Hotels Academy, a group of influential leaders in the hotel industry.
Airbnb is offering two individual one-night stays at the Malibu Barbie DreamHouse in July, with a maximum of two guests per stay. The stays are free, but travel expenses are not covered.
Chasing down an anonymous bad review is not recommended as it may make matters worse and look defensive and weak to staff. Responding to the review on the Glass Door website or letting it go are better options. Feeling unsafe while commuting to work is a legitimate cause for concern, but providing a work from home accommodation may not be feasible for the company unless there is a medical certification that the stress of the commute is impacting work performance.
Airbnb has launched a dedicated Rooms category, providing more details about the host on each listing. The platform is making the change in response to the current economic environment and is marketing Rooms as a cheaper way to travel. The company is also making several other changes, including improved filters, transparent pricing information, and more affordable long-term stays. Airbnb is going back to its cheaper and more personal approach that it started out with, helping it get back its founding ethos of sharing.
Solo travel is becoming more popular in South Korea, with restaurants and accommodations catering to single travelers. Restaurants like Hongojib and Labap offer solo dining experiences, while co-living spaces like Episode and Mangrove provide affordable lodging options. Business hotels like Accor's Ibis brand are also creating hybrid living spaces for travelers and locals. Popular tourist spots like Namsan, Myeong Dong, Insadong, and Itaewon are recommended for solo travelers, along with learning a few Korean words to soften the approach when asking for help.
The US Supreme Court heard arguments in a case testing how far employers must go to accommodate the religious views of their employees. Former postal worker Gerald Groff, an Evangelical Christian, brought the case after the postal service signed a contract with Amazon to deliver packages all seven days of the week. Groff was a carrier associate in rural Pennsylvania assigned to fill in delivery gaps when more senior carriers were absent, and the new contract meant he could no longer take off every Sunday. It was unclear whether a majority of the court was more worried about imposing a burden on businesses and other employees or whether the court's conservatives would once again come down on the side of religious interests.
The UK government has leased a barge to house around 500 asylum seekers on England's south coast to reduce the cost of lodging for migrants and refugees arriving on its shores. The barge, docked in Portland Port, will accommodate single adult men while their asylum claims are processed. The UK government is hoping to send thousands of asylum seekers to Rwanda as part of a £120m deal to deter people from crossing, but the first deportation flight was blocked by an injunction from the European Court of Human Rights.
The UK government plans to move migrants seeking asylum from hotels to a barge, military bases, and ships to cut costs and end the hotel scheme. The government is refitting an "accommodation barge" capable of housing hundreds of migrants, and two former military bases in Lincolnshire and Essex are under review. The UK saw a jump in the number of individuals seeking asylum in 2022, particularly from "small boat arrivals" crossing the English Channel, with 72,027 applications last year. Human rights groups have taken issue with the UK's proposals, and some Conservative party ministers have threatened legal action.
Iowa schools are now required to comply with a new law that mandates anyone in a school, including students, staff, parents, and visitors, to use restrooms and changing areas that correspond with the biological sex listed on their official birth certificate. The law has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of transgender and non-binary students who are no longer allowed to use the restroom of their choice. School districts are working to comply with the law and provide accommodations for students who want more privacy, but some are concerned about the funding needed to make these accommodations.
