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When you plan to ditch a luxury hotel for a more interesting and cheaper alternative, <keyword id="719382" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Airbnb">Airbnb</keyword> pops up in your mind. Gradually picking a trend amongst serious backpackers and casual vacationers, Airbnb is a trustworthy travel marketplace. It lets you list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world — online. 
 
Whether you want an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and 191 countries. 
 Airbnb has gained fans for its abundance of affordable accommodation worldwide, the opportunity to live like a local and, in some cases, even stay with one (or a whole family for that matter). From a Mongolian yurt in <keyword id="6355478" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Australia">Australia</keyword> to a bubble shaped house in Ireland, Airbnb has a lot to offer. And here, we list out the most quirky and out of the box houses you can rent in India.

These are the quirkiest Airbnb stays in India

Choosing the right vacation spot can be a daunting task. Based on consumer interest, <keyword id="719382" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbnb">Airbnb</keyword> — an online marketplace for homestays — came up with a list of lesser-known, yet trending destinations. And, Kerala of India made it to the list. While Milwaukee in US is on top the list; Cape Canavera of Brazil, which is popular for events like the <keyword id="6360409" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nasa">NASA</keyword>’s Mars Exploration Programme, surfing competitions; also features on the list. Here are Airbnb’s 20 trending travel spots based on year-over-year growth in bookings: 
	
	<div type="Slideshow" msid="71520229" hostid="261" title="20 lesser-known travel destinations to tick off your bucket list, according to Airbnb" firstImageMsid="71520231" slideCount="20"></div>

20 lesser-known travel destinations to tick off your bucket list, according to Airbnb

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Airbnb announced that it will remove all 150,000 of its <keyword id="11892748" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword> listings from July 30.</li><li>Several China-based hosts and users told Insider they're unfazed and will use local platforms instead.</li></ul>Airbnb will be removing all 150,000 of its listings in China from July 30, the vacation-rental company announced on Tuesday.The announcement comes six years after Airbnb set up operations in China in 2016."We have made the difficult decision to refocus our efforts in China on outbound <keyword id="11896628" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="travel" source="Orion">travel</keyword> and suspend our homes and Experiences of Hosts in China, starting from July 30, 2022," Airbnb cofounder Nathan Blecharczyk wrote in a letter posted on <a href="https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/GItPLtDU4ocuQCgEYZxNbQ">Airbnb's official WeChat account</a>. China's <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/chinas-gdp-data-hint-at-heavy-cost-of-its-zero-covid-strategy-11259669">zero-Covid policy</a> and its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/covid-restriction-china-lockdown-jilin-shenzhen-2022-3">constant lockdowns</a> were contributing factors in the company's decision to pull out of China, a source familiar with the matter told Insider. The source requested anonymity for professional reasons.In 2017, Blecharczyk <a href="https://skift.com/2017/10/19/airbnb-co-founder-nathan-blecharczyk-named-chairman-of-airbnb-china/">relocated</a> to Beijing to head the team in China. The company rebranded to "<a href="https://qz.com/939253/chinas-consumers-hate-airbnbs-new-chinese-name-so-much-that-they-are-brainstorming-a-new-one/">Aibiying</a>" in the same year. But since its launch in China, Airbnb has struggled to compete with domestic players. Bookings in China accounted for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-set-to-quit-china-amid-covid-19-lockdown-pains-2022-5">approximately 1% of Airbnb's</a> total revenue over the last few years, the source said."We will continue to incur significant expenses to operate our business in China, and we may never achieve profitability or sizable supply penetration in that market," Airbnb wrote in its 2020 <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1559720/000119312520294801/d81668ds1.htm#toc81668_1">SEC report</a>. <div type="image" title="Men cleans a room at his homestay" height="3168" width="4224" msid="91765729" hostid="261"></div>Airbnb hosts in China appear to be unfazed by the announcement."Can't talk about disappointment; businesses have business laws," Airbnb superhost <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/out?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com.sg%2Fusers%2Fshow%2F171589619">Guang Su</a> told Insider. Guang rents out two apartments in Beijing, ranging between $113 and $214 a night. He has 254 reviews, most of which are positive. Peiying, a Shanghai-based Airbnb host with 31 listings who asked only to be identified by her first name, told Insider she would continue operating on other platforms. "I'm on Meituan and Ctrip. My prices are the same across all platforms and I hope to keep it that way. But it is likely I have to reduce the number of listings I operate due to the loss of the Airbnb market," she said. Peiying is an architect by trade and rents out old Shanghai houses that she remodeled herself, according to her <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/5493846">Airbnb profile</a>. Meituan is China's leading online accommodation booking platform, while Ctrip is a travel aggregator that helps customers make hotel and flight bookings in China.On Weibo, the Twitter of China, the predominant sentiment surrounding Airbnb's departure from China was consistent with the reactions from Airbnb hosts."At the start, people used Airbnb to book homestays overseas. But after Meituan and Ctrip started to have homestay sections, we found that Airbnb did not have as much discount as the latter two, so I started to use it less," a Guangdong-based Weibo user wrote on the social-media platform. "It's used for travelling abroad, but its domestic competitors are too strong. Ctrip has good reviews — who wouldn't use it?" a Zhejiang-based user wrote on Weibo. "Listings are listing; Airbnb listings can be cheaper sometimes, but there are expensive listings too — it depends on the situation. There is just one less option at the end of the day," wrote a Yunnan-based Weibo user.Airbnb's Beijing office will still remain fully operational and will focus entirely on outbound travels, Blecharczyk wrote in the WeChat letter.Airbnb has been facing increased difficulty in complying with China's ever-changing regulations, the SEC report said. In September 2021, local authorities passed a ruling requiring <a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1233110.shtml">hosts of short-term rentals to post six certificates in order to operate</a>. Certifications include homeownership, owners' IDs, and a written guarantee for public security signed by the police. The six certificates were not easy to obtain, and non-compliant properties had to be removed immediately, per <a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1233110.shtml">Global Times</a>. Airbnb also had to <a href="https://time.com/5221666/airbnb-china-share-data-chinese-government/">share users' data</a> with the Chinese government. Airbnb declined Insider's request for comment.

Airbnb says it will be removing all 150,000 of its listings in China. Local hosts and users don't seem to care.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Chinese couple on their honeymoon in Malaysia say they found a hidden camera in their Airbnb room.</li><li>The camera was hidden in a wall socket between two USB ports and was facing the bed, per SCMP.</li></ul>A newlywed Chinese couple claims they found a hidden spy camera pointed at their bed during their honeymoon stay at an Airbnb rental in Malaysia, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3235870/china-couple-who-found-spy-camera-pointing-malaysia-honeymoon-bed-accused-smearing-airbnb-host?module=live&amp;pgtype=homepage">according to the South China Morning Post.</a>The couple, whose names have not been published, said they discovered the secret camera after checking into the room at about 3 a.m. in Sabah, Malaysia, early last month, according to local media.The woman said the couple didn't undress or have a bath while staying in the room overnight because they were fearful of being recorded, SCMP reported.They also covered the camera using tissue paper and some other objects before going to sleep, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2023/09/26/airbnb-removes-sabah-homestays-host-account-amid-hidden-camera-claims/">according to the local media outlet The Rakyat Post.</a>The following morning they checked into a hotel and went to the police, who began investigating, per The Rakyat Post.In a post shared on the social media platform Xiaohongshu after they returned to China, the pair said the tiny camera was hidden in a wall socket between two USB ports under a desk.SCMP reported that the room was part of Lavin's Homestay group, which has several vacation-rental properties in Malaysia.The woman said she contacted the property host via Airbnb, who they booked the room through, but received no response.In a statement provided to Insider, an Airbnb spokesperson said: "We ban hidden cameras and were disappointed to hear of this reported incident."The spokesperson added that the host's account and listings have been removed pending an investigation.Lavin's Homestay did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.<a target="_blank" href="https://journals.iium.edu.my/iiumlj/index.php/iiumlj/article/view/39/38#:~:text=5%20The%20closestoffence%20under,women%2C%20shall%20be%20punished%20with">Under Section 509 of the Malaysian penal code</a>, it is illegal to "insult the modesty" of a woman, with violations carrying a potential punishment of up to five years in prison, as well as a fine.Police confiscated several items from the room, including a camera, as part of the investigation, with efforts being made to identify a suspect, The Rakyat Post reported.But as of late September, no arrests had been made.Insider contacted local police but did not immediately receive a response.

A couple on their honeymoon said their Airbnb had a hidden camera pointed at their bed

<ul><li>Silicon Valley startup Airbnb has picked up stake in <keyword id="2550719" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="OYO-Rooms">OYO Rooms</keyword>, India's largest hotel rooms aggregator.</li><li>Business Insider had interviewed Airbnb's co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk earlier in March.</li><li>Here are excerpts from his thoughts on the potential for Airbnb in India.</li></ul>One of Silicon Valley's hottest startups, Airbnb, is betting big on India. The startup, which is a marketplace for people offering and looking for homestays and was reportedly valued at $31 billion at last count, has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/home-renting-giant-airbnb-invests-in-indian-unicorn-oyo-rooms/articleshow/68670636.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">picked up a stake</a> in a rival hotel rooms aggregator, OYO Rooms, today. Both companies are looking at opportunities to collaborate on a range of projects, including making OYO accommodations available on the Airbnb platform, a source told Business Insider. While Airbnb has not offered an official comment yet, here is an interview with the co-founder of Airbnb, Nathan Blecharzyk, that was conducted before the deal was announced. The following are the edited excerpts of the answers on the India-specific questions, including one about its competition with OYO, received via email on March 13. Q. Airbnb had aimed to sign up 50,000 homestays in India by 2020. How far have you come? And what is your projection for, say, 2025? How big a part of the global business will India be by 2025? Since the last time I was in India (which was early 2016) our community of hosts has gone from strength to strength and the number of Airbnb listings in India has increased by more than 150%. Our loyal community of hosts have welcomed more than 1.25 million travelers during that period, over 60% of which occurred in just the past 12 months. That growth isn’t just limited to foreign travelers; domestic travel on Airbnb in India has increased by 78% in the past year. Travel to emerging economies is expected to increase at twice the rate of travel to advanced economies from now until 2030 and emerging markets like India are leading the way. With over 45,000 listings, India is a key market for Airbnb. More than one million Indians have chosen Airbnb for their travel globally just last year alone, indicating a tremendous demand for Airbnb among the travellers. Needless to say, India continues to be a promising market for us. We are now working towards achieving 1 billion Airbnb users in the next ten years and India will play an important role in helping us achieve that goal. Q. Are you disillusioned by the recent policy developments in India? Has that affected how bullish you are on India? To the contrary, we’re committed to working closely with policymakers in India and we’ve worked diligently with them to promote home sharing. Q. How big a role do discounts play in Airbnb’s business model? Our platform is fuelled by hosts and guests who are loyal to Airbnb because we treat them like members of a community, not commodities. As a result, Airbnb isn’t governed by discounts and cash backs. Q. Other companies like OYO rooms have scaled their business much faster in India. Was it a conscious decision on part of Airbnb to go slow in India? If yes, why? We don’t typically comment on competitors. Travel and tourism is a large and growing industry in India, and there are going to be a lot of winners here. We are deeply committed to our community in India, we have a thriving business and we’re deeply optimistic about our future. Q. Is Airbnb going to remain a product for English-speaking urban elites? Does it not cap the scalability of the business? India is on its way to becoming one of the new ‘centres of influence’ in global tourism, and it’s going to be an engine of our growth, for us as we aim to welcome one billion users onto our platform in the next ten years. We really think Airbnb can be for everyone, and we have started to focus on specific segments and customize the products for those segments. We have our Plus offering, we have a high end luxury offering as well, and we also have Airbnb for Work, which is actually doing very well in India and it grew about four-fold year over year in India with about 6,500 companies that have signed up to do business travel directly with Airbnb. Q. How feasible it is to sell airline tickets in India? It is a heavily competitive market and deep discounts are imperative? We’re not interested in building our own airline or creating just another place on the Internet where you can buy a plane ticket, but there is a tremendous opportunity to improve the transportation experience for everyone. We’re going to explore a broad range of ideas and partnerships that can make transportation better. We haven’t settled on exactly what those will look like. Q. Will it be easier for you to focus on Indian travellers who are headed abroad than to convince Indians to share their homes with strangers? Would that be your approach to evade some of the policy and infrastructure challenges? Global tourism is growing rapidly and as citizens, businesses and policy-makers open up to the sharing economy phenomenon, and we are seeing increased interest in emerging economies like India. Our loyal community of hosts have welcomed more than 1.25 million travelers since 2016, over 60% of which occured in just the past 12 months. Our growth isn’t just limited to foreign travelers. Domestic travel on Airbnb in India has increased by 78% in the past year. India has approx 410 million millennials, that’s more than the entire population of the US. This group increasingly makes up the dominant segment of consumers, and are looking for new and authentic travel experiences. So while India sees close to 1.2 million outbound travellers, the number of domestic guest arrivals on Airbnb in India increased by almost 78%, last year. We are also planning to focus to more on mainstream domestic travel over the course of the next 2 years i.e. by 2020-21 in line with the origin total addressable market of $17.5 billion which is dominated by domestic business, which is 74% of total total addressable market. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/home-renting-giant-airbnb-invests-in-indian-unicorn-oyo-rooms/articleshow/68670636.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Airbnb picks up a stake in its Indian rival Oyo Rooms</a>

Here's what Airbnb's co-founder had to say about OYO before the deal was announced

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">YouTube/HostmakerHostmaker founder Nakul Sharma and an unknown woman in the company's promo video.</div></div></div>Hostmaker, a platform that helps Airbnb hosts manage their visits, has raised $2 million (£1.3 million) in venture capital funding. The seed funding round, announced in a press release, was led by DN Capital, which has also backed music streaming app Shazam. Other investors include Avala Capital, DSG Consumer Partners, Delivery Hero cofounder Nikita Fahrenholz, and former managing director of Airbnb India and Middle East, Mohit Srivastava.Hostmaker offers hosts two options:They can either go for a flat-fee pay-as-you-go model, where existing Airbnb hosts can pick a hotel-style housekeeping and linen service or an in-person guest welcome in their absence, or a fully managed option where Hostmaker provides an end-to-end service.The latter option involves the setting up of the listing, responding to enquiries, setting prices, presentation of the home before the guest arrives, and managing the guest experience so that guests have an unforgettable stay.The company said the funding will be to improve its product and expand to other European capitals.Nakul Sharma, founder and CEO of Hostmaker, said there is a vast amount of inconsistency across homestay listings featured on platforms like Airbnb, onefinestay and Love Home Swap. "The uncertainty of not knowing what you are going to get is still a hurdle for many to book a home on Airbnb. Hostmaker's aim is to bring hotel-quality consistent standards to homes across the world without losing the uniqueness of the homes themselves. I am glad to have found investors who believe in our vision and are excited by it." Hostmaker's Airbnb management services are currently available in London, Barcelona and Rome - serving about 5,000 guests every month.Lawrence Barclay, investment manager at DN Capital, said: "After looking in detail at this market, and recognising the clear value proposition for Airbnb hosts, we are delighted to lead the investment in Hostmaker. We are incredibly impressed by the progress that Nakul and his team have made, and look forward to being part of fueling future growth." <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cant-post-tsu-facebook-instagram-social-media-competitor-2015-11">Facebook and Instagram won't let you mention or post links from this competitor</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="J0azlxeDqwxvfMtE7ZA4TjQ-szQGx-pg" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

A startup that 'breeds Airbnb superhosts' has raised $2 million for its housekeeping and concierge service

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The TikToker @sillysloth66 made a series of videos about her dad's house in California.</li><li>She claimed that someone had broken in and mysteriously listed it on Airbnb while he was out of the country.</li></ul>A TikTok creator drew alarm last week with a series of videos that claim her dad's home in California was mysteriously listed on Airbnb by someone else as he's been living out of the country. In response, Airbnb told Insider that it has since taken down the listing and the company investigating the situation.@sillysloth66 posted <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sillysloth66/video/7203059834218925358" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the first video </a>about the mystery, which has amassed over 250,000 views, early last week. In the clip, she said her dad's homeowner's association (or HOA) told her that his Aliso Viejo house was listed on Airbnb, which was a violation of the HOA bylaws. The creator said she was shocked because her dad had been out of the country for two years due to his visa."There's no Airbnb allowed in this community," she said in the clip. "They don't have permission from my dad, who's not even here. Who the fuck broke into his house and rented it out on Airbnb?"Insider located what appeared to be <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63fe6545a5f1ba243c0e0c07&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F790671584910990940" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the original listing</a>, although the link no longer works and reroutes the user to the Airbnb homepage. When asked about this, Airbnb confirmed that it pulled the listing down and is investigating claims made in the TikTok.Insider has made multiple requests for more information from Airbnb. According to the TikToker in <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sillysloth66/video/7203143050766355755?embed_source=121331973%2C71011723%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_name&amp;refer=embed&amp;referer_url=www.insider.com%2Fpost%2Fpreview%3Fpost_id%3D63fe6eb45178b0120d77df55%26mode%3Ddesktop&amp;referer_video_id=7203059834218925358" target="_blank" rel="noopener">follow-up videos</a>, she received a response from the homestay company after she reported the listing. "We find that communicating directly with your tenant is the simplest way to address these types of complaints," @sillysloth66 said, reading what appeared to be a screenshot of an email she received."Tenant?! What tenant?" she retorted. The TikToker said <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sillysloth66/video/7203236793104223531" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she also called</a> the Aliso Viejo police department but claimed police couldn't do much since she doesn't own the property and because it's a civil matter.Viewers who've been following the saga say they're "deeply invested" in the situation and would keep following it until the end. The creator hasn't posted an update video since late last week."This gonna be a Netflix documentary someday," a commenter wrote on one of her most recent update videos.@Sillysloth66 has not responded to Insider's requests for comment.

Airbnb has removed a listing after a TikToker went viral claiming her dad's home was mysteriously listed by someone else

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has listed a bedroom in his San Francisco home on the platform.</li><li>He's not charging for the room, but it's booked out till March 2023.</li></ul>Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, has listed a bedroom in his <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=6375943d5178b0416c4a7c97&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F756639798240652690">San Francisco home</a> on the platform — and you can book it for free, hang out with him, and have him bake you cookies, too."I live here, so I'll be here," Chesky said in a video posted to his <a href="https://twitter.com/bchesky/status/1592855795074359296">Twitter account</a> on Wednesday, which shows him taking photos of his home. "I did it 15 years ago, and I'm going to do it again," he added, harking back to early days of short-term homestay app <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/brian-chesky-airbnb-life-career-net-worth-relationship-philanthropy#brian-chesky-is-the-cofounder-ceo-and-head-of-community-of-airbnb-1">Airbnb</a> when he and his then-roommate — Joe Gebbia — rented out air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment. The video shows Chesky walking down a flight of stairs with his dog and taking photos of a living room and the bedroom he is listing.Chesky told <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-renting-room-home-cookies/">CBS Mornings</a> in an interview on Wednesday he's hosting on Airbnb to show people that "if I, the founder of Airbnb to do it, then you can do it as well."This time, guests will be getting a suite, according to the <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=6375943d5178b0416c4a7c97&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F756639798240652690">listing</a>. "It's a really nice bedroom — there's a little bit of Airbnb history, I'll make you fresh cookies, you can go to the gym with me, we'll take a walk to the park. There's a lot of fun things we'll do," Chesky told CBS.The billionaire is charging $0 for the stay. However, the room already booked out till March 2023, an Airbnb spokesperson told Insider. She added more dates will open in the future.Chesky's room listing shows a large bed — queen size "with a real mattress," per the listing — two closets, a desk, and an armchair set against the backdrop of a world map. Guests will also have access to a full bathroom, a kitchen, and the living room.The Airbnb CEO is backing an upgrade to AirCover, the company's protection plan for guests and hosts, that includes guest identity verification and technology to ensure that suspicious <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-stop-ban-parties-tech-screening-tool-2022-8">reservations for parties</a> are blocked. The company also launched <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/2022-winter-release/">other new features</a> on Wednesday including a one-to-one guidance service for new hosts.Not that Chesky should be all that worried. He said in his listing there will be security cameras in his home — but not in the guests' "personal, private areas." He also has round-the-clock security personnel, whom he said "are all awesome."

For $0, you can now book a room in Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's home. He'll even bake you cookies.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I recently stayed in a cockroach-infested Airbnb in Penang, a state in northern Malaysia.</li><li>In May, the state banned short-term rentals, including ones listed on Airbnb.</li></ul>After a terrible experience at an Airbnb in Penang, a state in northern Malaysia, I vowed to never book on the homestay rental platform again. Now, Penang has called it quits with Airbnb too — and has banned short-term rentals altogether, according to a report by Free Malaysia Today, <a href="https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/05/25/penang-bans-almost-all-short-term-rentals-on-the-island/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">citing the Penang Island City Council.</a>In February, my friends and I booked an apartment in Penang that was listed on multiple platforms, including Airbnb and Booking.com. It cost just 1,010 Malaysian ringgit or $220 for two nights and looked stunning in the advertised photos online, with a gorgeous view of the sea.But we never got to see it in person. An hour after we were scheduled to check in, the host relocated us to another rental in a different part of town. We ended up spending our weekend in an eerie apartment that's located right next to a hospital. The nail in the coffin was the cockroaches we spotted scurrying around the place. Thankfully, we got a refund.<div type="image" title="Penang, Malaysia." height="2274" width="3024" msid="100816154" hostid="261"></div>Just four months later, on May 25, Penang banned short-term lets, including ones listed online on Airbnb, Agoda, and Booking.com — but in this case, cockroaches were not the pests. The state government said it's due to tourists causing too much trouble in residential areas, <a href="https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/05/25/penang-bans-almost-all-short-term-rentals-on-the-island/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which has led to dozens of complaints from locals.</a>"Whether people like it or not, we will be firm on this. Housing areas are for residents. If you are holidaying, go to a hotel," <a href="https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/04/28/penang-to-ban-homestays-says-state-exco/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jagdeep Singh Deo, a member of Penang's State Executive Council,</a> told Free Malaysia Today in April. Singh did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.Now, short-term rentals are <a href="https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3223080/malaysian-island-penang-bans-airbnb-and-other-short-term-lets-bid-reduce-number-undesirable-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limited to serviced apartments and specific commercial spaces.</a> Guests are allowed to rent a government-approved unit for a maximum of three days at a time and for only 180 days a year. And if you flout these rules, you can get fined 200 ringgit or $44 — a slap on the wrist for many holidayers, really.Airbnb is <a href="https://sq.airbnb.com/e/penanguntuksemua" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pushing back against the ban</a>, and argues on its website that these rules will "heavily restrict the ability of Malaysians to share their home in strata buildings, and reduce the variety of affordable accommodation options for domestic and international travelers." Airbnb did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.While many Airbnb hosts say that the ban is <a href="https://sq.airbnb.com/e/penanguntuksemua" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"extremely painful,"</a> some local residents are rejoicing. "There have been times when at least 20 people have stayed, their cars blocking our driveway. They were rude, throwing balls over the fence, loud," <a href="https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3223080/malaysian-island-penang-bans-airbnb-and-other-short-term-lets-bid-reduce-number-undesirable-visitors?module=perpetual_scroll_0&amp;pgtype=article&amp;campaign=3223080" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tatiana Breger, who lives in Penang,</a> told The South China Morning Post, adding that she agrees with the government's ban.While some tourists might lament the ban, I'm not one of them — I'm happy to return to booking hotels where I'm guaranteed to get the room I paid for.

A major tourist destination in Malaysia just banned Airbnb. After a cockroach-infested experience I had there, I'm not sad to see it go.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Airbnb's chief strategy officer Nathan Blecharczyk said the company had a new strategy around setting goals.</li><li>The company identified two to three principles for each of its five stakeholder groups, and created one to three metrics for measuring progress against those principles, he said.</li><li>The new goal-setting strategy is meant to encourage employees to make decisions with stakeholders in mind.</li><li>"You have to do well by all the folks in the ecosystem," Blecharczyk said.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>Airbnb's chief strategy officer Nathan Blecharczyk remembers the days when tech was still seen as a force for good.It was a decade ago, and Airbnb <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-airbnb-was-founded-a-visual-history-2016-2">had become newly "ramen-profitable,</a>" after nearly going out of business.In the years since Blecharczyk and his two cofounders grew the homestay app into a $31 billion company, and tech has been barraged by controversy on issues ranging from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-employees-climate-change-stop-2020-1">climate change</a> to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-tech-companies-new-privacy-policy-2020-california-2019-12">data privacy</a>.The fallout could have consequences for companies hiring the next generation of engineers, designers, and product managers. College students aren't as interested in applying for Big Tech jobs as they once were, according to a trend detailed in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/11/style/college-tech-recruiting.html">a recent article in The New York Times</a>.In a fireside chat with professor Arun Sundararajan at New York University Stern School of Business on Tuesday night, Blecharczyk said Airbnb has started to change the way it sets goals to factor in its effect on the world. The strategy could help it avoid the backlash whipping other businesses in tech."A lot of entrepreneurs aspire to do good things, but as you become a bigger company and you have thousands of employees, each with their own goals, it's very easy to become narrow in your thinking," Blecharczyk said at the event.You can <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70r--iyYLr0">watch a video of the chat here</a>.<h2>Here's how Airbnb's leadership sets goals for the company</h2>In the past, the company set an agenda for the year that answered the question, "50 years from now, what do we want to be remembered for?" Blecharczyk said.The problem was that its goals, such as creating millions of entrepreneurs or billions of friendships, were vague and difficult to measure, he explained.Blecharczyk said:"What we've said recently is that in our world, we think there are five stakeholders. There are guests, there are hosts, there are employees, there are the communities in which we operate, and there are shareholders. And we feel a duty to serve the interests of all five. We don't exist as a corporation just to serve the interests of the shareholders."That's a nice idea. But what does that really mean? We identified two to three principles for things like, we feel accountable for the safety of our guests. We want to promote diversity in our workforce. But we didn't stop there. For each of those principles, we've come up with one to three metrics to quantify our progress. So that, very objectively, we can understand each year if we're getting better or not."At Airbnb, each team has at least one goal around creating value for a stakeholder. Blecharczyk said the strategy is meant to inspire employees to consider the ramifications of their decisions on the company's goals, as well as their own."Our long-term success is completely dependent on the success of all of our stakeholders," he added. "You have to do well by all the folks in the ecosystem."Axel Springer, Insider Inc.'s parent company, is an investor in AirBnB.

Airbnb's chief strategy officer reveals how the company sets goals that keep it resilient and help it escape the tech backlash

<ul><li><keyword id="719382" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbnb">Airbnb</keyword>, along with Ocean Conservancy wants five adventurous citizen scientists to travel the remote continent Antarctica for scientific research mission. </li><li>The mission is being conducted to understand and spread awareness on the impact of humans on the environment and the climate of the ecosystem. </li><li>The volunteers will collect snow samples to study the extent of micro plastics in the interior antarctic region. </li><li>The expedition does not require any formal qualifications to apply. </li><li>The 30-days long research mission is scheduled in November-December this year.</li></ul>Online marketplace for homestays Airbnb, along with Ocean Conservancy is calling out travel and nature enthusiasts for a scientific <keyword id="8139763" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="research-mission-to-antarctica">research mission to Antarctica</keyword>. With this opportunity ‘Antarctic Sabbatical,’ the organisation plans to include five adventurous individuals to be in the blue-ice runway within the remote continent along with Antarctic Scientist Kirstie Jones-Williams. And, it does not require any formal qualifications to apply. However, the applicants must be above 18 years of age with the ability to speak conversational English. The selected candidates will be announced on October 30. The volunteers can visit<a href="http://airbnb.com/sabbatical"> Antarctic Sabbatical</a> link to complete the application form. “This expedition will be hard work, with scientific rigour required during unforgiving wintery conditions. We are looking for passionate individuals, with a sense of global citizenship, who are excited to be a part of the team and to return home and share our findings with the world,” Antarctic Scientist Kirstie Jones-Williams said. The 30-days long research mission is scheduled in November-December this year. What would the research mission entail The scientific research mission is being conducted to understand and spread awareness on the impact of humans on the environment and the climate of the ecosystem. At first, the expedition will train them on glaciology and field sampling in <keyword id="2727081" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Punta-Arenas">Punta Arenas</keyword> in Chile. In the Antarctic, the volunteers will collect snow samples to study the extent of micro plastics in the interior antarctic region. Given that the <keyword id="1820144" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="plastic-pollution">plastic pollution</keyword> has posed a threat to <keyword id="6361617" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change">climate change</keyword> and species, the citizen scientists will understand how the continent and the planet can be protected. “Most people think of Antarctica as a pristine and isolated continent, but recent evidence shows that even the most remote locations are affected by plastic pollution. This expedition will help us understand the pathways of micro plastics to remote regions such as Antarctica and comes at a critical time to highlight our responsibility to protect our natural world.” Williams added. It will also include a visit to South Pole and other Antarctic sites like the Drake Icefall, Charles Peak Windscoop, and Elephant's Head. “Together with Ocean Conservancy, we are highlighting the problem of micro plastics to encourage a global audience to give great thought to the consequences of how we live and take collective action,” said Chris Lehane, Senior Vice President of Global Policy and Communications of Airbnb. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/humans-have-been-drinking-tiny-plastics-every-day/articleshow/70781384.cms">We are eating, drinking and breathing microplastics — and don’t know how it would affect us</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/more-plastic-pollution-is-swirling-in-the-deep-ocean-than-in-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch-a-new-study-has-found/articleshow/69680660.cms">More plastic pollution is swirling in the deep ocean than in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a new study has found</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/a-startup-that-bets-on-packaged-keto-snacks-and-chocolates-raises-seed-funding/articleshow/70784578.cms">A startup that bets on packaged keto snacks and chocolates raises seed funding</a>

Here’s how you can join a research mission to Antarctica

<keyword id="19988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bali" source="Orion">Bali</keyword>, the <keyword id="43865" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indonesian" source="Orion">Indonesian</keyword> paradise known for its stunning <keyword id="6396451" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Beaches" source="Orion">beaches</keyword>, lush rice terraces, and vibrant culture, is a dream destination for many travelers. While Bali is often perceived as a luxury getaway, it is entirely possible to experience its magic without breaking the bank. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to <keyword id="22030265" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visit-Bali-on-a-budget" source="keywords">visit Bali on a budget</keyword>, covering everything from flights and accommodation to food and activities. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="1. Plan Your Trip During the Off-Season" text="1. Plan Your Trip During the Off-Season">1. Plan Your Trip During the Off-Season</cmsannotation> The first step to saving money on your Bali trip is to plan your visit during the off-season. Bali’s peak <keyword id="494935" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tourist-season" source="Orion">tourist season</keyword> is from July to August and during the Christmas and New Year holidays. During these times, prices for flights, accommodations, and even activities skyrocket. Instead, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (April to June and September) when the weather is still pleasant, but prices are significantly lower. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="2. Finding Affordable Flights" text="2. Finding Affordable Flights">2. Finding Affordable Flights</cmsannotation> Booking flights early can often get you the best deals. Use flight comparison websites like Skyscanner, Kayak, or Google Flights to monitor and compare prices. Be flexible with your travel dates and consider flying mid-week when fares are typically cheaper. Another cost-saving tip is to fly into Jakarta or another major Indonesian city and then take a budget airline, such as <keyword id="6358246" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AirAsia" source="Orion">AirAsia</keyword> or Lion Air, to Bali. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="3. Budget Accommodation Options" text="3. Budget Accommodation Options">3. Budget Accommodation Options</cmsannotation> Bali offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hostels. For the budget traveler, here are a few options: Hostels and Guesthouses: Websites like Hostelworld and Booking.com list numerous affordable hostels and guesthouses. Areas like Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud have many budget-friendly options. Homestays: Staying in a homestay can be a more immersive experience, allowing you to live with local families. Homestays are often cheaper than hotels and provide a unique cultural experience. <keyword id="719382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbnb" source="Orion">Airbnb</keyword>: Renting a room or an entire villa through Airbnb can sometimes be more economical, especially if you’re traveling in a group. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="4. Eat Like a Local" text="4. Eat Like a Local">4. Eat Like a Local</cmsannotation> Food is one of the easiest areas to save money in Bali. While there are plenty of high-end restaurants, you can enjoy delicious meals at local warungs (small family-owned eateries) for a fraction of the cost. Here are some budget-friendly food tips: Warungs: Try local dishes such as Nasi Goreng (fried rice), Mie Goreng (fried noodles), and Satay (grilled meat skewers) at warungs. Street Food: Bali’s street food is both cheap and tasty. Don’t miss out on trying local snacks like Martabak (stuffed pancake) and Pisang Goreng (fried banana). Supermarkets and Markets: Buy fresh fruits and snacks from local markets or supermarkets like Bintang or Carrefour. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="5. Affordable Transportation" text="5. Affordable Transportation">5. Affordable Transportation</cmsannotation> Getting around Bali on a budget is quite feasible. Here are a few transportation tips: Scooter Rental: Renting a scooter is one of the most cost-effective ways to explore Bali. Daily rental rates are quite low, and scooters offer the freedom to travel at your own pace. Public Transport: Use local transportation like bemos (shared minibuses) for short trips. They are inexpensive and give you a more local experience. Ride-Hailing Apps: Apps like Grab and Gojek offer affordable rides and can be a cheaper alternative to taxis. They also provide bike taxis, which are even more budget friendly. Walking: In areas like Ubud or Seminyak, many attractions are within walking distance. Exploring on foot is not only free but also a great way to discover hidden gems. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="6. Free and Low-Cost Activities" text="6. Free and Low-Cost Activities">6. Free and Low-Cost Activities</cmsannotation> Bali is rich in natural beauty and cultural experiences that don’t require a hefty budget. Here are some affordable activities to consider: Beaches: Enjoy Bali’s stunning beaches such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua. Relaxing on the beach is free, and you can often find affordable beachside cafes for refreshments. Temples: Visit iconic temples like Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, and Tirta Empul. Entrance fees are minimal, and the cultural experience is invaluable. Rice Terraces: Explore the famous Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud. A small donation is usually appreciated, but the experience is mostly free. Waterfalls: Discover Bali’s beautiful waterfalls like Tegenungan, Gitgit, and Sekumpul. Entry fees are usually low, and the natural beauty is breathtaking. Markets: Wander through local markets such as Ubud Market or Seminyak’s Flea Market. Browsing is free, and you can find affordable souvenirs and local crafts. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="7. Money-Saving Tips" text="7. Money-Saving Tips">7. Money-Saving Tips</cmsannotation> Bargain: Bargaining is common in Bali, especially in markets and with street vendors. Don’t be afraid to negotiate for a better price. Local SIM Card: Buy a local SIM card with data for affordable internet access. This can help you use ride-hailing apps and stay connected without high roaming charges. Avoid Tourist Traps: Be cautious of overpriced tourist attractions and tours. Do some research and opt for less commercialized experiences. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="8. Travel Insurance" text="8. Travel Insurance">8. Travel Insurance</cmsannotation> While it might seem like an added expense, travel insurance is a must, especially when traveling on a budget. It can save you a lot of money in case of unexpected medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost belongings. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Conclusion" text="Conclusion">Conclusion</cmsannotation> Visiting Bali on a budget is entirely achievable with some careful planning and smart choices. By traveling during the off-season, finding affordable flights and accommodation, eating like a local, and exploring the island’s natural and cultural attractions, you can enjoy a memorable and affordable trip to this beautiful island. Bali’s charm and beauty don’t have to come with a high price tag – with the right approach, you can experience its magic without breaking the bank.

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