Airbnb cracks down on Memorial Day parties amid short-term rental battle in Indian Rocks Beach
Share and Follow

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Airbnb is cracking down on parties.

It’s a topic that’s sitting top of mind for many residents in Indian Rocks Beach with one of the following signs in their front yard.

Indian Rocks Beach resident John Phanstiehl said, “We see stuff every single weekend.”

“We don’t even know how many neighbors have been forced out of their houses,” he said. “We can go back to the commission meetings and watch those; it’s just ruining their lives.”

But Airbnb is cracking down on parties with their anti-party technology.

Airbnb spokesperson Emily Simons said the system will be tracking 100 different signals — all with the goal of deterring parties.

“A few examples are, the type of listing, if someone is trying to book an entire house vs just one room, the duration of their stay, if they’re just trying to book a weekend,” she explained.

Simons said guests who are blocked from booking a specific listing will be given alternative Airbnb options to choose from.

The question remains: Will this technology work?

“In 2020, we introduced our global party ban policy,” Simons said. “We have seen a 46% drop in reported parties since then.”

Phanstiehl, on the other, hand has little faith.

“It’s just another round of smoke and mirrors,” he said. “Airbnb does this every now and then, they have some grand scheme that’s supposedly going to cut down on the number of undesirables or number of party houses.”

“No slick computer program is going to have an effect on that,” Phanstiehl continued.

His solution?

“No short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods,” he said. “It’s zoned residential, residential zoning means it’s for residents.”

Airbnb officials said, in 2024, fewer than approximately 0.06% of reservations on Airbnb in the U.S. resulted in a report of a party.

Click here for a breakdown on what is and isn’t allowed at Airbnb properties, as well as help for hosts and guests if a situation should arise.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Vermilion Co. Students Discover Career Paths at ‘Tour of Industries’ Event

High school students in Vermilion County took a break from their traditional…

Defensive Touchdowns Propel South Florida to Dominant 55-23 Victory Against UTSA

In Tampa, Florida, quarterback Byrum Brown delivered an impressive performance, amassing 348…

Devastating Blaze Strikes Home of Miami Heat Coach

In Coral Gables, Florida, the residence of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra…

LeRoy Greenlights Temporary Food Assistance Program to Support Local Families

In LEROY, Ill. (WCIA), uncertainty looms over the future of SNAP benefits…

Revolutionizing Crime Solving: How Science and Tech Empower SLED in South Carolina’s Fight Against Violence

In Columbia, South Carolina, legislators were briefed by the South Carolina Law…

Unlock Free CDL Training Opportunities with Bulloch County Schools

In Bulloch County, Georgia, the local school district is providing a unique…

Honda’s Earnings Decline Amid Impact of Trump Tariffs on Japanese Auto Industry

TOKYO – On Friday, Honda announced a significant drop in its profit…

Unlocking Opportunities: How Florida Universities are Capitalizing on H-1B Visas for Global Talent

In a significant move set for January, state university officials will address…