Mandatory host type (professional/private) assessment

In accordance with new regulations, Booking.com is required to inform certain accommodation partners to self-declare themselves either as a professional host (trader) or a private host (non-trader).

As a result, it is mandatory to give consumers information on whether the host is a trader or non-trader starting June 16, 2020.

Table of contents

Clarifying what Professional host (trader) and Private host (non-trader) means

Why do I have to do this?

What actions must I take?

What do you mean by consumer protection?

What impact can the host-type have on my business?

Why do I already see ‘professional/trader’ being marked in the declaration form?

Clarifying what Professional host (trader) and Private host (non-trader) means

• Professional host (trader): Any party who is renting out a property or properties for purposes relating to their primary trade, business, or profession (for example, when accommodations are the main business activity or the listing is managed by a property management company).
• Private host (non-trader): Any party who is renting out a property or properties for purposes which are outside their primary trade, business, or profession (for example, accommodations is a side activity, or the property is only listed seasonally or occasionally).

Note: a rule of thumb is that in situations where renting an accommodation is the main revenue source for the person managing the property, those accommodations are considered professionals (traders). This differentiation must be evaluated by the accommodation owner/manager, not by Booking.com.
 

Why do I have to do this?

Information on host status must be displayed on Booking.com property pages to users in the European Economic Area (EEA) either browsing or making reservations on the Booking.com website and apps.

Where applicable, these users will see if properties are “managed by a private host”. Unless stated otherwise, in situations where properties are managed by a professional host (trader), no additional information will be displayed.

Note: This information is a self-declaration by the accommodation partner and Booking.com is not required to verify the legal status of these declarations. 

What actions must I take?

Certain accommodation partners are required to undergo an assessment whereby they state if they are professional hosts (trader) or private hosts (non-trader).

This is a one-time action unless the accommodation partner’s status changes (e.g. the accommodation becomes a primary trade business; the accommodation dissolves their primary trade business and becomes a private host, etc). This action can be completed by following the steps below:

1. Log in to extranet with your credentials.

For assistance with logging into your extranet, see this article.

1. Go to ‘Property’ then ‘General info’ where you will find the host type declaration form.
2. Select the host type that matches your status and update your information by clicking the “Update your info” button.

Update my host-type

What do you mean by consumer protection?This means protecting the rights of consumers. When consumers exercise these rights (for example in situations where they are not satisfied with the services provided), their claims are assessed by taking into consideration the ‘reasonable expectations’ they may have regarding accommodations.

Generally, a consumer’s ‘reasonable expectations’ of a professional host may be different compared to the ‘reasonable expectations’ with respect to a private host.

What impact can the host-type have on my business?

The host-type status helps guests better understand the property they choose for their stay. While this is a legal requirement, Booking.com also makes sure the way host-type information is displayed has been tested and proven to have the least impact on your business. Additionally, customer support and other Booking.com services remain the same, regardless of host type.

Why do I already see ‘professional/trader’ being marked in the declaration form?

It might be that based on the nature of your business, we have already marked you as a ‘professional or trader’. This can happen for example if you manage chain properties, or manage property types such as a Hotel, Hostel, Resort, or are a property management company with a large number of properties.