Curbed illustration by Alyssa Nassner

Hosts aren?t totally convinced big policy shift will make up for income lost in the pandemic-related travel slump In a dramatic about-face announced during a video call Monday afternoon with CEO Brian Chesky, Airbnb said it would pay $250 million to hosts impacted by the economic fallout from the novel coronavirus. The new policy arrives as hosts worldwide face mounting financial pressure following the mass cancellation of bookings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
?Although it may not have felt like it, we are partners,? Chesky wrote in an email sent to hosts Monday. ?When your business suffers, our business suffers. We know that right now many of you are struggling, and what you need are actions from us to help, not just words.? Airbnb will pay out 25 percent of what hosts would normally receive for a canceled booking, based on their individual cancellation policies, for check-ins that were scheduled between March 14 and May 31. The company?s initial response was to fully refund all guests who booked before March 14 with stays planned between March 14 and April 14 that were canceled due to COVID-19-related circumstances. The payments for hosts will apply retroactively, and will be sent to hosts starting in April. Furthermore, the company will create a $10 million Superhost Relief Fund for their most experienced hosts, financed with $1 million in donations from employees, and $9 million contributed by Airbnb executives, including C...