In an attempt to prevent unauthorized and disruptive parties last year, Airbnb restricted around 450 individuals who were planning to celebrate New Year's Eve in Niagara Falls, CANADA. The platform is reinforcing these anti-party initiatives with AI-technology this year.
According to a press statement from Airbnb, AI will be used to identify and block certain complete home bookings that might pose a risk for a party situation.
Jason Burgess, the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Niagara Falls, CANADA, commented on the party complaints associated with short-term rentals over the new year holiday. He pointed out the lack of on-site supervision in a whole home rental scenario, which is unlike hotels where staff can manage inappropriate behavior.
Burgess said the city welcomes tourists to experience what it has to offer, but also urges them to respect city rules and residents. The city is in favor of any strategy that discourages behavior that adversely affects its inhabitants.
The officer hoped that Airbnb would assist the city in enforcing its bylaws. He revealed that more than 1,000 vacation rental units were unlawfully operating in Niagara Falls as of June, listed on different online platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo and Kijiji.
Vacation rental units are not permitted to function in residential areas in Niagara Falls. Such units can operate in specific zones meant for tourists, business, and commerce, but they must register and procure a license from the city.
Any kind of promotion for a vacation rental unit on platforms such as Airbnb without a valid license is illegal.
An online tool was launched by the city at niagarafalls.ca/VRU for residents to report illegal and unmonitored short-term rentals.
The city plans to tighten regulations on unlawful vacation units and implement a new bylaw in 24 to precisely state what is and is not permissible. The proposed bylaw would significantly enhance the enforcement against owners of unregistered short-term rentals, who could face daily fines up to $1,000.