Airbnb hosts in Thailand given new safety standards to follow
In line with the lifting of lockdown measures under conditions of safety, Airbnb announced the launch of its “enhanced clean” programme in Thailand on Thursday (June 25), offering a standardised protocol for cleaning and sanitisation in the home-sharing industry.
Before launching the protocol, Airbnb sought guidance from the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Health, which provided recommendations in line with the country’s standards when it comes to sanitisation materials and cleaning methods.
Following guidelines from the World Health Organisation, the enhanced clean programme was developed in consultation with experts in the hospitality and medical hygiene sector, including Prof Dr Vip Viprakasit, the professor of Paediatrics and Haematology at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.
Airbnb also collaborated with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to support guidelines for the short-term rental industry, and its standards have earned the WTTC Safe Travels seal.
The enhanced clean programme will be progressively rolled out in the coming weeks, providing local hosts step-by-step guidance on how to clean and sanitise their homes to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Hosts who follow the programme will receive a special badge on their listing, making it easy for guests to identify and book listings that are safe.
“Airbnb hosts in Thailand pride themselves on offering a great guest experience and cleanliness is a key part of that. This new protocol will empower hosts and guests with the information they need to keep themselves safe and restore traveller confidence. We believe these standards set the bar for short-term rental accommodation and could form the foundation for a new industry-wide standard in Thailand,” said Mich Goh, chief of Airbnb’s public policy department for Southeast Asia.
