Home rental giant Airbnb has responded angrily to the latest anti-home sharing ad by the New York hotel lobby describing it as ‘despicable, cynical advertising.’
The 30-second ad began airing on Monday and seems to associate Airbnb rentals as a safe house for terrorists.
The ad cites the story of suicide bomber Salman Abedi, who reportedly stayed in a rental home while planning the attack on an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK.
That rental was not an Airbnb home.
The Hotel Association of New York City’s ad states: "Who’s in your building? Airbnb won’t say."
"Are you at risk?" it added.
It lists a number for residents to call and ‘stand up for NY’s safety and security.’
The Association’s argument is that Airbnb does not do sufficient background checks on guests.
Airbnb points out very few traditional hospitality companies conduct any checks on guests.
The ad is ‘an outrageous scare tactic by big hotels who themselves have a long history of lodging people who engage in acts of terror,’ said Airbnb spokesman Peter Schottenfels.
"The fact is Airbnb had nothing to do with the tragic events in Manchester and we are one of the only hospitality companies that runs background checks on all U.S. residents, both hosts and guests. Hotel CEOs have a responsibility to tell us why they don’t do the same and why they continue to fund this sort of despicable, cynical advertising," Schottenfels added.
