TORONTO -- Airbnb is rolling out a new tier of rentals that have been inspected and verified in-person by staff.
The launch follows calls from some Canadians for an end to short-term rentals offered in their buildings and neighbourhoods after some Airbnb users rented homes to throw unruly parties or behaved disrespectfully towards neighbours.
A release says the Airbnb Plus service is aimed at high-end accommodations and has launched with 2,000 homes in 13 cities -- a small fraction of the roughly 4.5 million properties listed on Airbnb in 81,000 cities worldwide.
By the end of the year, Airbnb foresees verifying the quality of 75,000 homes in 50 cities.
It will offer people who rent their homes through the tier in-home design consultation and expert photography, but did not say if there was a cost associated with the services or listings.
The Plus program, unveiled Thursday, is aimed at winning over travellers who aren't sure they can trust the computer-driven system that Airbnb uses to assess the quality of rentals. Airbnb believes travellers will be willing to pay more for inspector-certified properties, allowing homeowners and apartment dwellers to recoup a $149 fee to participate in Plus.
The company will also begin offering four new types of properties classified as vacation homes, boutiques, bed and breakfast units and "unique" homes.
A new program called Airbnb for Family and Airbnb for Work will also launch in an effort to help renters find accomodations for social stays, weddings, honeymoons, group getaways and later this year, dinner parties.
Keyboard Shortcuts Keyboard shortcuts are available for common actions and site navigation. View Keyboard Shortcuts Dismiss this message Skip to content Twitter HomeHomeNew Tweets available. MomentsMoments, current page. NotificationsNotifications 99+ Messages Search query Search Twitter Search Twitter Profile and settings Tweet Airbnb is offering guests 'verified' higher-end properties with more amenities Business Yesterday The short-term rental company announced several new features on Wednesday, including luxury rentals, new "super" guest perks and Plus, a service for homes that pass a 100-point, in-person quality inspection. 186 Likes Bendin Corners MJ CherryLava Shaun P Heidi Ames Pinky yareli Lexie Mondragón Elizabeth Karlsson AML77 Mary T. Lydia Ellie Meek Amanda r e n z �� nöbetçi mimar Emily Higgins Chrissy Chris Dr. Goddess md Annamarie Spires Paul Hopton Like Tweet More Photo via @CNTraveler AirbnbAirbnbVerified account @Airbnb · 18h18 hours ago LIVE: Big News from Airbnb 43 replies 295 retweets 720 likes Retweet 295 Like 720 More Tom BraithwaiteTom BraithwaiteVerified account @TBraithwaite · 17h17 hours ago It's a shame the new season of Silicon Valley has wrapped before this Airbnb presentation. "To go beyond, we must have magical experiences like truffle hunting鈥�." 6 replies 12 retweets 167 likes Retweet 12 Like 167 More AirbnbVerified account @Airbnb · 17h17 hours ago Introducing Airbnb Plus, a new selection of the most beautiful homes verified for comfort and quality. Airbnb Plus hosts focus on every detail to create the perfect stay鈥搘hether you're staying in a private room or have the entire place to yourself. Introducing Airbnb Plus A new selection of only the highest quality homes with hosts known for great reviews and鈥� airbnb.com 14 replies 172 retweets 374 likes Retweet 172 Like 374 More JP MangalindanJP MangalindanVerified account @JPManga · 17h17 hours ago Airbnb introduces Airbnb Plus: high-end listings w/ highly-rated hosts that pass 100-point inspections. 1 reply 12 retweets 31 likes Retweet 12 Like 31 More Greg BensingerGreg BensingerVerified account @GregBensinger · 17h17 hours ago Airbnb sends inspectors and professional photographers to verify "Plus" homes, which seems potentially painstaking and pricey. Chesky says hosts will like it because it improves placement on the site. 3 replies 9 retweets 32 likes Retweet 9 Like 32 More Greg BensingerGreg BensingerVerified account @GregBensinger · 17h17 hours ago Today there are 2,000 "Plus" homes out of 4.5 million listings worldwide. Should rise to 75,000 by year end. 2 replies 6 retweets 35 likes Retweet 6 Like 35 More Mark BerginMark BerginVerified account @mdbergin · 17h17 hours ago Per @engadget: #Airbnb Plus is effectively the company's version of Twitter's verified account feature. Some 2,000 homes in 13 cities, all of which have been verified for quality based on a 100-plus point checklist, will be available Airbnb rolls out luxury rentals and new benefits for users Airbnb is once again shaking up how its customers find and book accommodations.鈥� engadget.com 1 reply 12 retweets 44 likes Retweet 12 Like 44 More Carolyn SaidCarolyn SaidVerified account @CSaid · 17h17 hours ago For new Airbnb Plus designation for fabulous properties, #Airbnb will do in-person 100-point inspections. Even bigger: Adding premium support, dedicated team for fast resolutions. Wonder how many ppl they need to hire for this? 1 reply 3 retweets 16 likes Retweet 3 Like 16 More Greg BensingerGreg BensingerVerified account @GregBensinger · 17h17 hours ago Airbnb's Chesky says hosts will be charged $149 application fee for "Plus" certification. That'll chip away at cost of inspections. 2 replies 3 retweets 22 likes Retweet 3 Like 22 More Greg BensingerVerified account @GregBensinger · 17h17 hours ago Fancy homes and villas to be offered too, following 2017 acquisition of Luxiry Retreats, along with travel packages called 鈥淏eyond鈥�1 reply 6 retweets 36 likes Retweet 6 Like 36 More Teddy SchleiferTeddy SchleiferVerified account @teddyschleifer · 17h17 hours ago Chesky says Airbnb will add "thousands" of new categories to refine its listings. Can cull homes through things like architectural style, musical skills of the host, and other weird categories. 0 replies 6 retweets 26 likes Retweet 6 Like 26 More Teddy SchleiferTeddy SchleiferVerified account @teddyschleifer · 18h18 hours ago Airbnb is also creating a loyalty program of sorts -- "Superguest" -- that will offer benefits to its most active guests later this year. 2 replies 13 retweets 45 likes Retweet 13 Like 45 More Carolyn SaidCarolyn SaidVerified account @CSaid · 17h17 hours ago .@Bchesky: #Airbnb adding a #SuperGuest program, starting w 10K this spring. Potential benefits: airport pickups, fitness ctr, stay discounts, concierge service (he didn't say any of these are set in stone yet) 0 replies 4 retweets 15 likes Retweet 4 Like 15 More Greg BensingerVerified account @GregBensinger · 17h17 hours ago Logos for all of Airbnb鈥檚 announcements2 replies 2 retweets 44 likes Retweet 2 Like 44 More Teddy SchleiferTeddy SchleiferVerified account @teddyschleifer · 18h18 hours ago Teddy Schleifer Retweeted Teddy Schleifer All told, the lines between Airbnb and hotel industry are thinning: Will be able to accrue benefits through a loyalty program, stay at luxury properties, book boutique hotels on the portal.Teddy Schleifer added, Teddy Schleifer Verified account @teddyschleifer Some news from Airbnb today: 鈥� Adding option to book four new property types: Vacation Home, Unique Space, B&B and Boutique.鈥� Show this thread 7 replies 25 retweets 68 likes Retweet 25 Like 68 More Condé Nast TravelerVerified account @CNTraveler · 17h17 hours ago Meet Airbnb Plus: it's Airbnb for people who hate Airbnb Airbnb Plus Is for People Who Hate Airbnb With "Plus," the company will give its stamp of approval to inspected listings. cntraveler.com 6 replies 58 retweets 136 likes Retweet 58 Like 136 More Ryan DelkRyan DelkVerified account @delk · 17h17 hours ago Ryan Delk Retweeted Airbnb Airbnb鈥檚 launch of Plus is incredibly smart, particularly in how they have their team verify every home. This was core to our @Omni Rental product from day one 鈥� every item you can rent has been hand-verified by our team. Fully managed marketplace experiences are the future.Ryan Delk added, Airbnb Verified account @Airbnb Introducing Airbnb Plus, a new selection of the most beautiful homes verified for comfort and quality. Airbnb Plus hosts focus on every detail to create the perfect鈥� 1 reply 5 retweets 40 likes Retweet 5 Like 40 More 鈿★笍 Owen 鈿★笍 OwenVerified account @ow · 17h17 hours ago Last year I basically gave up on Airbnb because hotels actually ended up being easier, but Airbnb Plus seems like a good way to address that Introducing Airbnb Plus A new selection of only the highest quality homes with hosts known for great reviews鈥� airbnb.com 8 replies 6 retweets 65 likes Retweet 6 Like 65 More Gerrit De VynckGerrit De VynckVerified account @GerritD · 17h17 hours ago The flavor of Airbnb's hotel push is still very Airbnb-y: boutique, experiential, non-chain. But this still isn't good news for the big OTAs, particularly Booking. 1 reply 3 retweets 7 likes Retweet 3 Like 7 More Twitter MomentsTwitter MomentsVerified account @TwitterMoments · 20 Sep 2017 You're now able to book restaurants through Airbnb in 16 US cities. 0 replies 6 retweets 20 likes Retweet 6 Like 20 More More Moments Justin Trudeau's Bhangra moves get mixed reviews Politics Last night The Canadian prime minister showcased his Bhangra skills before taking the stage at an event in New Delhi. Not everyone was鈥� 314 Likes 'Largest brain tumour in the world' removed by doctors鈥� Health Yesterday Surgeons in Mumbai have removed a 1.8kg (3.9lb) tumour from the brain of a 31-year-old man. 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