Airbnb is an online marketplace and homestay network that helps travellers to rent short-term lodging in residential properties. The company is currently in a heated legal conflict with the state of New York. A new law is currently implemented in the city that combats short-term rentals. The purpose is to avoid people from altering their apartments into hotels without paying tax. The law will fine tenants or landlords for renting out their properties for less than 30 days. In its defense, Airbnb has submitted evidence that most of its subscribers or hosts list their apartments at most once per month and not in a monthly basis.
On the lighter side, Airbnb is continuously serving travellers around the world. It was welcomed in most countries due to its collaborative method. The company is communicating with the local officials and starts making plans for the betterment of the community.
In an article of Independent it mentioned two examples of the company's goal to join forces with the city, "In London, for instance, Airbnb provides the mayor's office information about the growth of tourism in the outer boroughs of the city to help it spread the economic benefits across the city, rather than keeping it centralized. In other cities such as Paris or Amsterdam, the partnership with local authorities has become much more formal with Airbnb starting to collect tourist tax from its users on behalf of the local authorities."
Airbnb is also helping its host in collecting and remitting taxes like in Paris and Saint-Malo, France; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Lisbon, Portugal and within U.S. such as New Jersey, Louisiana and Chicago. The complete list can be found in their website. Here are some of the reviews of their satisfied customers around the globe. These verbatim testify the acceptance and the benefit of being a member of the Airbnb. Kiminari from Japan said, "If I chose a hotel, I could not meet the local people. With Airbnb, I met with locals who could teach me about their lives and about their traditions... Having these real experiences is my treasure."
"I simply like to help people the same way I'd like to be helped when I travel in another country. It's not just for the reviews, or for the business, or for the reputation. I host because I get to meet people from all over the world, and I can give people from other countries my help and support," Fabio from Brazil commented.
"When I am in Rome I want to feel Italian, when I am in Denmark I want to feel Danish. Then I am able to experience everything like living there. I would really like them to experience my home like they were Icelanders for a week or so. And that is what's fantastic about Airbnb," Anna of Iceland stated.
