Airbnb host cancels booking after learning guest is Welsh
Jemma Louise, from Wales, had booked the stay via the platform but received a cancellation message shortly after confirming. In a now-viral video, Jemma shows screenshots of her chat with the host, who plainly states, 'It's because you're from Wales.'
The short clip has since blown up online, with comments flooding in from angry viewers across the UK. Many accused the host of outright discrimination, with some urging Jemma to report the incident to Airbnb and even the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
One user said: 'Hope no one ever books with her again.'
Others, including several Welsh commenters, reacted with a mix of disbelief and humour. 'People are actually insane,' one wrote. 'TF you mean 'it's because you're from Wales'? Babes, we're on a floating rock.'
One user added: 'Imagine if she knew you were from Bettws too, you'd have been double cancelled.'
As the clip continues to be shared widely, many online are calling for better protections against location-based discrimination on rental platforms.
After being contacted by the South Wales Argus, an Airbnb spokesperson issued the following statement:
'Discrimination, including on the basis of nationality, has no place on Airbnb. As soon as this report was brought to our attention, we reached out to the guest to provide our support and suspended the host while we investigate this matter.'
They added that the company's Open Doors initiative provides 'timely, personalised and hands-on support' to anyone who feels discriminated against while using the platform.
To use Airbnb, hosts and guests must agree to its non-discrimination policy and Community Standards, which require users to treat each other with respect. The company confirmed it investigates all reports and may take action ranging from education and warnings to permanent removal.
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A black tower computer unit was seized from the defendant's bedroom on which images of child abuse and extreme pornographic material were found. Four videos and three still images of the victim were also discovered. A total of 153 category A images, 31, category B images, 35 category C images, 12 prohibited images, 4,185 extreme images, and 316 indicative images of children were discovered. The images depicted children as young as nine years old being raped by adults. Sandeman was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment, of which he will serve half in custody before being released to serve the remainder on licence. The defendant will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely and will be made subject to a restraining order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order at a future hearing. Lee Sandeman, 39, of Ebbw Vale, groomed a 15-year-old girl in Canada over the internet (Image: Gwent Police) Paul Chesher Paul Chesher messaged what he believed was a 12-year-old schoolgirl online and asked her to masturbate herself and send him photographs, a court heard. He was messaging the 'girl' via an online app while using a false name. He told the recipient he was 56, that she was 'too young' for him and that 'you are going to get me in trouble'. However, he still continued to message her, sometimes several times without reply. Over a four-day period he messaged 22 times before he received a response. The messages were sent between the end of August and the beginning of October, 2021, and included requests for her to send pictures and to walk to the bathroom during a school day so that she could reply. Chesher, who is actually aged 66, asked what colour underwear the girl was wearing. Despite referencing the fact that she was 'too young' and admitting that 'this is wrong' on more than one occasion, Chesher, of Southview, Herbrandston, Pembrokeshire, continued to message her. He asked her if she had kissed many boys and at what age she was planning to have sex. He also asked her if she masturbated and told her to do so 'now'. It turned out that the '12-year-old girl' was in fact a police officer using the app, and Chesher was tracked down and arrested at his home in October, 2021. He gave 'no comment' answers and three devices belonging to him were seized. Chesher was sentenced to 27 months in prison and was told he must also sign the Sex Offenders' Register and be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both for a period of 10 years. Paul Chesher has been jailed for asking what he thought was a 12-year-old girl to perform a sex act (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police) Article continues below
