House party

Airbnb has extended its global ban on house parties until at least the end of this summer, despite the easing of restrictions in some countries.

Under the ban, occupancy is limited to 16 people, with few exceptions for specific venues. Airbnb has removed the “event-friendly” feature from its booking app, and says it will pursue legal action if guests or hosts break the rules.

In a statement on Thursday, it explained: “Throughout the past few weeks, we have heard from members of our community who have sought clarity on whether the ban would remain ineffective, particularly from community members in the regions that are gradually reopening”.

Thus, it said, “we are announcing the extension of the ban through at least the end of Summer 2021 to provide them with that clarity”.

Additionally, in the US, Canada, France and the UK, guests under the age of 25 have been banned from renting entire homes in their local areas.

Bookings have also been banned over high risk periods. For example, in the US, it was announced in April that guests with historically bad reviews would not be permitted to book one-night or last-minute reservations during the Independence Day three day weekend.

Despite its continued caution, Airbnb has previously insisted that it is expecting a “travel rebound unlike anything we have seen before”.

It noted that amongst more-highly vaccinated demographics, it has seen bookings rise, and that it regularly sees bookings jump in countries when leaders announce travel restriction relaxations.

Related

EU funds

EU Commission unveils record €1.816 trillion budget – but faces an uphill battle on the negotiations table

July 17, 2025
by Sam Vassallo

The plan, touted as 'more strategic, more flexible, more transparent,' seeks to reallocate funds toward competitiveness, defence, and crisis resilience

WeTransfer to train AI on user files

July 15, 2025
by Sam Vassallo

This includes any kind of file, from films, photos, artworks, sensitive information and so on

Malta’s dramatic increase in cost of living: visualised

July 8, 2025
by Sam Vassallo

Price levels rising from 84 per cent to 93 per cent of the EU average