AirBnB, an international website where people can offer a space in their house for rent, is becoming increasingly successful around Ottawa, figures show.
The website encourages people to advertise space in their houses or apartments, such as spare bedrooms, separate apartments or even couches for guests looking for a place to stay.
Currently, there are over 416 places listed on the site in Ottawa.
The site began five years ago in San Francisco, when two students rented out air beds in their apartment to travellers. Since then it has been rapidly growing and there are now places available in 192 countries and over 34,000 cities.
In Centretown there are properties listed for a single room in an apartment for around $30 a night, or a whole house or apartment for under $300.
Erik, who did not wish to reveal his last name, owns a house in Centretown, where he rents out a large bedroom with private bathroom through AirBnB. He discovered the website when travelling in Europe and said he found the experience to be very positive.
“The apartments were cheaper than a hotel, more convenient and more interesting, and you typically get some insight or advice from someone who lives in the place you are visiting,” he says. “We take part in it to pay our mortgage. It is mostly financial reasons rather than social, but we have had many interesting people stay.”
The website works through a rating system, where guests leave comments and ratings on the hosts and the places they stay and the hosts also leave ratings for the guests.
“If you’re a bad AirBnB host or your place is a dump, it will come out in reviews,” says Erik, “Likewise, as a guest, if you’re a total kook your reviews will eventually show as much.”
Maria Giannakos runs Ambience Bed and Breakfast on Nepean Street. She says that a lot of guests stay with her because they prefer a traditional bed and breakfast experience.
“Some people have chosen to stay in my bed and breakfast after looking on AirBnB, because they find that, especially around Ottawa, the prices shown on AirBnB are quite similar to the price of a traditional bed and breakfast."