Airbnb announced a new feature on its platform to support solo travelers worldwide and promote safe travel experiences for the global community.
A company statement says the development of this new feature is based on recommendations from members of the Vital Voices Global Partnership Trust and Safety Advisory Coalition, an international non-profit organization that invests in women leaders who provide guidance and advice on solo traveler safety and women's safety.
The tool aims to prepare solo travelers to be more informed, helping them get answers to their pre-trip questions, host-provided information about the neighborhood, and details of their travel plans so they can share them with whomever they want, including where they will be and for how long.
“The safety of our community, including solo travelers, is paramount and at the heart of everything we do. As solo travel grows in popularity, we’re proud to offer safety-focused features to users around the world and help solo travelers discover new places with confidence and greater peace of mind,” said Naba Banerjee, Airbnb’s Director of Trust and Operations.
Manira Alva, Vice President of Policy Advocacy at Vital Voices, notes that as an international organization working with women leaders in more than 84 countries, safe travel is essential to their work. “Vital Voices is delighted to partner with Airbnb on this important mission to make traveling the world safer for solo travelers, especially women.”
He explains that while security incidents at Airbnb are rare, the company is committed to updating its products, policies, and team training, including in collaboration with members of its Trust and Safety Advisory Coalition, to promote safe travel among its community.
The expansion of this safety feature for solo travelers is the latest update from Airbnb in this area, both in Spain and internationally, and complements existing community-oriented safety tools and resources, which include:
A 24-hour safety hotline, available in the app for users for the duration of their booking, means that if a guest feels unsafe, they can contact the specialized security team directly for assistance.
Airbnb's local emergency services feature, accessible in the app to users 24/7, whether they are traveling with Airbnb or not, to quickly connect them with local emergency services, with assistance in 70 countries and regions.
Safety tips for guests, such as choosing a place to stay, avoiding online fraud with advice from Airbnb and the National Police, and interacting with others.
An emergency contact feature allows all users to add up to four contacts to their platform profile. In the rare event that Airbnb needs to contact someone on behalf of a user, having an emergency contact can help expedite the process.
