Crime Stoppers’ guide to responsible travel on Airbnb

Trust is a fundamental part of the Airbnb experience.

Hosts trust their guests to care for their property as if it was their own and be a responsible part of the local community during their stay. In return, travellers and guests put trust in their Hosts to provide a safe experience.

Crime Stoppers is also built on trust and a strong community, providing a valuable link for individuals to provide reports on suspected illegal activity that Crime Stoppers then pass to law enforcement with a guarantee of keeping the reporter’s details completely anonymous.

Building safer communities is important to Airbnb and Crime Stoppers, providing positive outcomes for all of us, including Hosts, guests, local neighbourhoods and residents.

 Crime Stoppers International safety tips for travellers

At any point prior to, during or after your stay, if you feel unsafe or are concerned, reach out to the Airbnb team. If you find yourself in a life threatening situation you should always call triple 000 for the police, the fire department or an ambulance. If you encounter any suspicious criminal activity that is non-life threatening or a non-emergency, visit crimestoppersinternational.org/report-now  to lodge a report.

Before you travel or book

• Always pay and communicate directly through the Airbnb platform to ensure that protections offered by Airbnb are in place.

• We suggest using the safety features built into the Airbnb platform, including checking Host reviews and communicating with your Host before your stay to ask any questions you might have about the home and the neighbourhood.

• Some countries have traveller registration programs through their consulate or embassy networks and others set up a special registration system for their citizens when a major incident occurs, including a natural disaster or civil conflict (for example, smarttraveller.gov.au). Registering your travel plans or registering to receive travel alerts can greatly assist in an emergency.

• We suggest ensuring you have travel insurance that covers medical, safety and travel-related issues.

• Ensure you have the contact details for local emergency services, noting these change from country to country. If you are not sure you can remember them, save them into your phone.

• Make sure your loved ones or emergency contacts know your travel itinerary and keep in touch regularly where you can.

Upon arrival or during your stay

• Talk to your Host about transportation, including the safest ways to pay and arrange transport.

• In addition to asking your Host, do some internet research on safe versus unsafe areas in the neighbourhood – always try to avoid unsafe areas, especially at night.

• Keep a photocopy of your passport and other important documents in a safe place, stored in a separate place from your actual passport and travel documents.

• When you arrive, take a few minutes to know where any emergency equipment, safety information and fire exits are located.

• When travelling, you are subject to all local laws, including any that may appear harsh compared to what you are used to. Make sure you research the local laws for your destination.

• Local laws often reflect a country’s religion or customs. Some countries may be more liberal than you are used to, while others might be much more conservative. Research and respect your destination’s local laws, especially when it comes to what medications you can carry, and how you must dress and behave in public.

• Be careful when using credit cards internationally as it is possible for these details to be stolen. When paying, ensure you keep possession of your card or are aware of where it is, at all times.

• Do not carry excessive amounts of cash and avoid showing any signs that you are carrying cash or other valuables. Depending on where you are travelling, think about limiting the amount of expensive or designer items you wear or carry – jewellery, shoes, sunglasses, bags – and always keep your phone somewhere secure.

After your stay

• Take the time to leave a review about your stay and your Host. This can be very helpful to others considering booking the property, and it helps the Host if there are any improvements that you think are either essential or would simply make future guests’ stays even more enjoyable.

Crime Stoppers International tips for Hosts

• Where possible, meet with your guests at check-in.

• Set house rules and communicate these with your guests to help make their stay a pleasant one. 

• If your property has a security alarm, change the access code each time you welcome new guests. This helps assure your guests that their access code is unique to them.

• Have information available to help your guests with local emergency numbers, locations of clinics, pharmacies and hospitals, any areas to avoid, transportation tips etc. Remember, this might be your guest’s first time travelling to your country or area and it’s important to help them have a safe and enjoyable experience.

• Complete the Airbnb house rules for your guests, and include your contact details and local emergency numbers.

• Consider providing a hard copy of your Airbnb house rules in the property for the convenience of your guests. A physical guide with important local numbers and useful local tips can help give them peace of mind about their stay.

• Include in your Airbnb house rules, information to encourage your guests to report any suspicious criminal activity that is non-life threatening or a non-emergency, by visiting crimestoppersinternational.org/report-now where they can lodge an anonymous report that Crime Stoppers will forward to law enforcement.

• Always write a review about your guests following their stay. This can be a great help to other Hosts if they are considering whether to accept a reservation.

Resources

Host Welcome Kit