Airbnb host fined by California for racism after abruptly canceling reservation
An Airbnb host was fined $5,000 and ordered to take a course in Asian-American cultural awareness after canceling a woman’s reservationbecause of her ethnic background.
Tami Barker has also been banned from the home-sharing platform after the first ever conviction by California regulators.
California recently agreed with Airbnb to apply fair housing testing – which has long been used to monitor landlords for long term housing – over racial and other forms of discrimination.
Barker sent traveler Dyne Suh a brusque last minute text message: "I wouldn’t rent it to u if u were the last person on earth."
Suh said she was told: "This is why we have Trump, we can’t have foreigners tell us what to do."
Suh took her complaint to Airbnb and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).
Speaking through her lawyer, Barker said she was ‘regretful for her impetuous actions.’
Airbnb updated its non-discrimination policy last year after receiving criticism over its inaction to curb perceived racial discrimination by hosts.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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