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

Chilly Winter Conditions Persist, Warmer Temperatures Expected by Wednesday

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Residents in many regions are starting their day…

China’s Singles’ Day 2023: A Key Indicator of Beijing’s Push for Increased Consumer Spending

HONG KONG – In Guangzhou, Alice Zhang, a 29-year-old professional in marketing,…

Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Missionary Father and Daughter En Route to Jamaica

A tragic event unfolded in a South Florida neighborhood as a small…

Experts Weigh In on Police Pursuit Procedures After Fatal Ybor City Collision

In the vibrant neighborhood of Ybor City, Tampa, a routine evening turned…

Explosive Incident in New Delhi Sparks Anti-Terror Investigation: Unraveling the Mystery Behind the Car Blast

NEW DELHI – Authorities in India are delving into the fatal car…

National Guard Faces Long-Term Impact from Government Shutdown, Experts Warn

WASHINGTON – As the government shutdown continues unabated, concerns are mounting over…

11-Year-Old Faces Felony Charge in Volusia for Allegedly Creating School ‘Kill List

DELTONA, Fla. – In a concerning incident, an 11-year-old student from Highbanks…

Asian Markets Mostly Decline Despite Wall Street Surge and Prospects of U.S. Shutdown Resolution

In the bustling financial hub of Bangkok, Asian stock markets took a…