For those who know me personally, I am one of those who’d rather look at a glass half full than half empty.
During this pandemic period, I’d rather be on the lookout for new ways to create extra income on platforms that allow you to work from anywhere in the world.
With closures of schools and workplaces, reduced imports, and declining travel spending, the coronavirus pandemic has bit the economy so hard it’s in crisis mode.
Thousand others are losing jobs because events have been cancelled, bars and restaurants are closed, airports are shut down, and more and more countries have closed their borders entirely to non-citizens.
Most of us aren’t even allowed to leave our houses after 7 pm – for others its a total lock down.
We can’t talk to people within a distance of 1 meter.
The global spread of coronavirus has also led to mass cancellation of hotel rooms and AirBnBs at an unprecedented scale severely hitting on to the proprietors’ income.
And the more we are locked up, the more AirBnBs will continue to be hard hit.
It may not feel like it right now, but those of us born before 9/11 have been near here before and most of us made it out safely on the other side.
However as this may be the first time for many of us alive today to experience near – global total lock-down and not being able to talk to other people closely, I am still optimistic that this time too, we will cross over on the other side.
Well, we don’t know whether schools and businesses are going to be closed for the next one month or three months. Furthermore, it’s impossible to say how long we’re gonna be on a curfew for.
We don’t even know when the covid-19 pandemic will end in Kenya.
It may take three months like it did in China and South Korea; or five months like Trump has predicted that it “might” take in the US. Bottom line? It doesn’t matter because kilicho na mwanzo lazima kiwe na mwisho…
Heck, it’s not clear how many people are already infected, will get infected, let alone die.
Now, as depressing as this sounds, there is always a silver lining in every cloud.
Because this is the time and place where great entrepreneurs will be made while the bad actors are wheedled out.
But to be among them, we will have to consciously train ourselves now to act from a growth mindset rather than act from a fear perspective.
I admit to being optimistic but one thing I’m certain about is that CORONA WILL BE OVER. Some day.
Hence, even during this corona pandemic period, at EvaMtalii, we’re not even going to focusing our energies on “OH MY GOD, THE WORLD IS ENDING!” kinda content because its neither useful nor even true.
Listen: Stay safe and do what is in your power to keep others safe.
#Self-quarantine, #lock down, #social distance, whatever it takes to not catch this thing or spread it.
Exercise the normal safety precautions but stay calm.
Most people are going to die of fear before even the virus gets to them. Don’t be one of them.
Githeri media make money by scare – mongering you. At EvaMtalii, we like to make money while we sleep – even if it’s through a storm 🙂
P.S. I’m currently self-quarantined and working remotely from some place in magical Kenyan.
Alright enough of the lecture, let’s do this!
Today I’m excited to share with you some tips for re-branding your AirBnB and what you should be doing right now to take advantage of this downtime so that when this market trauma is over, your AirBnB business in Kenya will be able to pick up right where it left off pre-corona.
What's Covered in This Article
Update your policy to allow guests to cancel bookings without penalty
Airlines are already doing it.
Cancelled flights are eligible for full refund. Other airlines are allowing no-fee changes and cancellations.
Some hotels too are already offering penalty-free cancellations to give optimistic travelers peace of mind.
I for instance already have destinations lined up by month depending on when this virus goes away and I am filtering my accommodation by free cancellation because I don’t want to lose out in the event this takes longer than imagined.
But should all go well, I am definitely traveling.
I am sure many travelers are taking the same approach. Don’t leave money on the table by insisting on non-refundable cancellation options.
Highlight your AirBnB cleaning & disinfection procedures
One thing that is certain about the corona pandemic is that the anxiety caused so far by the coronavirus will not go away soon even once the virus is contained.
Good hygiene will stay top of mind (hopefully) for everyone and I believe, going forth into the distant future.
Do yourself and your potential tenants a favor therefore by letting them know that you take their health seriously.
Visibly put detailed information about your property touch points’ cleaning procedures as a first step towards calming travelers nerves about their safety in your property.
Also consider posting pictures of you/your cleaners sanitizing the said touch points.
Again, just like the free cancellation policies, even the proactive airlines are not taking any chances with Covid-19.
Emirates offers travellers added peace of mind with enhanced cleaning and disinfection on all aircraft from Dubai regardless of route as well as fee waivers on travel plans. #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter https://t.co/84L8mmYSUt pic.twitter.com/eChwHzZACt
— Emirates (@emirates) March 8, 2020
Certainly, moving forward, providing disinfectants with at least 70-percent-alcohol base will no longer be an option but a mandatory requirement.
Therefore consider providing sanitizers, wipes, etc so that guest have the other comfort of also wiping down touch points by themselves.
In July 2019, Naomi Campbell posted a video airport routine for sanitizing her plane seat, the world jeered here and viewed her as amazingly extra, terribly eccentric and borderline obnoxious.
But with Covid-19 shutting down the world today, it appears Naomi Campbell was spot on. And everyone else was wrong.
“Clean everything you touch,” is her advise “Anything you could possibly touch … This is what I do on every plane I get on. I do not care what people think of me, it’s my health and it makes me feel better.”
https://twitter.com/NaomiCampbell/status/1235971195650166784
Amidst all the covid-19 shenanigans, international travel and traveling for leisure may be on the back burner for most people.
To effectively practice social distancing aka lock down aka self-quarantine, some people might want to escape from their high rise apartments and onto larger more scenic locations.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8m308Zloin/
The recent mass exodus of people from Nairobi the moment rumors on a lock down were in the air is evidence.
Besides, with schools closed and everyone needing to be home by 7 Pm, it can get a little tricky social distancing in an apartment.
If you have an AirBnB up-country, out of town, on the water or in the mountains, you may be in more luck.
This is an opportunity to market your scenically – located AirBnB and offering the value proposition of making social distancing more bearable, as well as to a a larger family, as easier and safer.
Offer discounts for longer stays
With international flights cancelled left right center, there are tons of people stuck in countries that are not their own.
There is also the domestic traveler I already described above who may be looking to see out the entire lock down period in one accommodation.
This is your opportunity to offer discounts for those who may want to stay a little longer in your AirBnB.
You may also attach the discount to reduced service – for my own sanity for instance, I would rather do my own cleaning during this corona period than have someone whose probably cleaning 10 other homes do it for me.
Stay at your property
While you may not make money by staying at your own AirBnB, it is a golden opportunity to experience what it is like staying at your property.
By staying at your property you may be able to see things from an insider’s perspective – any opportunities for improvement, any repairs needed, if the mattress or pillow needs a change, etc. Something you may not be able to experience if you’re merely hosting.
It may also be your opportunity to treat yourself to a much needed staycation.
I still don’t know why I did it but my AirBnBs always were/felt/seemed much nicer than my apartment may be because of their hotel-like vibe. So once in a while I’d just check myself in for a night to spoil myself 🙂
Well, it’s obvious from this list that your options for surviving the financial fallout post – covid 19 are actually endless.
Let me know in the comments below what you’re currently doing to keep your AirBnB afloat.
Stay safe and wash your hands!
Much love,
EvaMtalii
