Why most travel advisors won’t book AirBnB

A vacation rental can be a beautiful thing—you can really settle in and immerse yourself in a neighborhood and do as the locals do. You can stop by the neighborhood grocery store and get local delicacies that you can cook on your own. You can keep plenty of food & drinks on hand to help keep kids (of every age) fueled whenever needed. You can get yourself set up in a real home-away-from-home.

And yet, I do not book AirBnB or VRBO rentals for my clients for the following reasons:

First and foremost, it's important to understand that many travel advisors prioritize their clients' safety and well-being above all else. While AirBnB and VRBO rentals can certainly be a cost-effective and convenient way to travel, they can also come with risks that traditional hotels don't have. For example, AirBnBs might not have regular security checks, meaning that guests could be at risk of staying in a property that hasn't been thoroughly cleaned or maintained. Additionally, in terms of emergency situations, hotels often have established procedures for things like evacuations or medical emergencies, whereas in a private home, there may not be clear procedures in place.

Another factor is that travel advisors often find hotels to be more reliable and more accommodating to their clients' needs. For example, many hotels have staff that can speak multiple languages, making communication easier for travelers who are not fluent in the local language. Similarly, hotels may be more capable of providing services like dining options, shuttle services, and fitness facilities that can make a traveler's trip more enjoyable. In contrast, an individual AirBnB owner may not be able to provide the same level of service and amenities.

Moreover, from a logistics standpoint, it can be difficult for travel advisors to keep track of a client's itinerary if they are staying at an AirBnB or VRBO rental. Hotel bookings can be easily monitored, but it can be hard to confirm that your client is safe and well while staying in a private residence. You also run the risk of the nosy AirBnB owner who monitors what you’re doing, especially via security cameras.

Of course, there are times when staying at a hotel is not the best choice for my clients. In those situations, I rely on my extensive network of trusted in-country partners to find the perfect house, villa, cabin or apartment that is managed and maintained by vetted property managers. So working with a travel advisor doesn’t mean you can’t get a vacation rental—it just means I want to work with suppliers that are just as committed to my clients’ safety and satisfaction as I am!

If you would like to start planning your dream stay in a vacation home, click here.