According to statistics from MMGY Global, African American travelers were less likely to use “share economy accommodations” like AirBnB in the past year. AirBnB, in particular, saw a 4 percent point drop in African Americans bookings over the last year.
Black D.C.-based entrepreneur Rohan Gilkes launched his own website Innclusive.com after there were reports from several African Americans who claimed they were dropped from bookings because of their race and/or treated unfavorably. Gilkes, who even experienced the discrimination practice himself while trying to book on AirBnB, even wrote a post about it.
Likely due to all the backlash (or blacklash, lol) and a decline in African American activity, AirBnB just released their new nondiscriminatory policy. But are you convinced it’s enough?
NBC BLCK has the story:
Airbnb will soon display user photos less prominently, promote instant bookings and introduce technological changes to address widespread reports of racial discrimination against nonwhite guests, according to a report by a consultant hired by the online vacation home rental marketplace.
The changes were announced on Thursday following months of criticism sparked in part by the Twitter hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack, which featured accounts from African-American users who said they were discriminated against on the platform.
“Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them,” Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky wrote in an email to users. “Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry.”
Click to read the rest of the story over at NBC BLCK.
BMWK, what’s your preferred style of lodging accommodation? Would you be likely to book AirBnB now after reading about their new policy?