How to prepare for the unexpected

Examples of unplanned situations and tips for how to navigate them.
By Airbnb on Aug 27, 2021
2 min read
Updated Aug 27, 2021

Highlights

  • If you’re waiting on a late guest, message or call through the Airbnb app

  • Think through other possible situations, like poor weather conditions or language barriers

  • Guests appreciate as much notice as possible if the Experience must be cancelled

Consider gathering some friends and hosting a test-run of your Experience to help calm your nerves and set yourself up for success. But even after a test-run, unplanned situations can happen before or during your actual Experience. Here are some example scenarios and tips for how to navigate each.

One of the guests doesn’t show up or is late to your Experience

Some things to consider:

  • If you’re worried about guests arriving late, send a welcome note ahead of time. Mention how long you’ll wait if a guest does arrive late.
  • If you're waiting on a guest, message or call your guest directly through the Airbnb app.
  • Discover more tips on how to manage late guests and the group that might be waiting on them.

You wake up feeling ill on the day of your Experience

Some things to consider:

  • Assess your illness—it may be contagious. Would it be healthy for you to be around others?
  • Don’t travel or host if you’ve recently been exposed to or have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Here’s a detailed rundown of our COVID-19 extenuating circumstances cancellation policy.
  • Remember that guests appreciate as much notice as possible if the Experience must be cancelled, so contact them before you contact our Customer Experience team.

A guest arrives with a friend who hasn’t booked your Experience

Some things to consider:

  • Think of capacity limitations for the locations or transportation you’ll use.
  • Remember that other guests on the Experience will be waiting for the activity to start, so it's courteous to communicate any potential delays.
  • It’s ultimately up to you to decide whether you can/wish to accommodate the unbooked guest.

Brainstorm how you’d handle other unexpected situations

Some things to consider:

  • Poor weather conditions
  • Guests with allergies
  • Language barriers

Thinking about these scenarios ahead of time will help you feel confident and prepared to host your Experience and delight your guests. Remember that guests appreciate it when they feel safe and cared for!

Highlights

  • If you’re waiting on a late guest, message or call through the Airbnb app

  • Think through other possible situations, like poor weather conditions or language barriers

  • Guests appreciate as much notice as possible if the Experience must be cancelled

Airbnb
Aug 27, 2021
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