Eurovision fans claim Airbnb landlords are trying to hike prices
Eurovision fans claim Airbnb landlords in Liverpool are trying to hike prices on stays they’ve already let out for song contest by up to FOUR TIMES – as hosts are warned against practice of ‘price gouging’
- One Airbnb host in Liverpool wanted to list a five-night stay for £2,046
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Hotels and Airbnb hosts in Liverpool have rocketed up prices for stays during the Eurovision Final in the city.
Some hosts have been accused of quadrupling prices when they realised people were coming for the musical competition – with one guest saying his landlord wanted a whooping £2,046.
Airbnb said it had ‘zero tolerance’ for the price-gouging behaviour and will stop hosts cancelling and relisting pre-existing stays.
Hundreds of thousands of people will flock to Liverpool for the May 13 concert, which will see countries from Europe and beyond compete for the grand prize.
The UK is hosting the event after Sam Ryder finished second behind the Ukrainian act last year. The UK always has a free ticket to the final as one of the ‘big 5’, who make large financial contributions to the event.
The UK is hosting the event after Sam Ryder (pictured) finished second behind the Ukrainian act last year
The iconic song contest will take place in Liverpool and the grand final will be held on Saturday May 13
Roy Henry told the BBC that he had secured a five-night stay in Liverpool during Eurovision for a bargain £465.
But when the landlord realised his party were coming for Eurovision, Mr Henry received an email from the host asking him to cancel and rebook his stay.
The Eurovision fan was shocked when the host specified the new price – more than his monthly mortgage in London.
‘If the host had said, look, I made a genuine mistake, can I increase it by a small amount, say £50 a night, I would have been fine with that,’ Mr Henry said.
Mr Henry got in touch with Airbnb, who allowed him to cancel his stay and helped him cover the costs of finding alternative accommodation.
The host is not allowed to relist his property for Eurovision and faces full cancellation penalties.
In a statement, Airbnb said: ‘We take a range of actions to deter Host cancellations, including applying fees, penalties and blocking Hosts from accepting a new booking for the same dates.
The hosting site said it had seen an increase in bookings in Liverpool and that it would prove ‘an economic lifeline’ for people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
‘The average price per night of a booked stay during Eurovision is £260, providing affordable accommodation for guests and helping local families boost their income.’
Hotels and hosts are cashing in on the 150,000 people expected to travel to the city for the event.
Performers dressed as jellyfish on roller skates skate around the Beatles statue at the launch of Eurovision EuroFestival in Liverpool (March 28)
Hotel prices have stabilised at around £200 to £300 per night during the event, Simon Bennett, secretary of the Eurovision Fan Club OGAE UK, said.
And many will choose to dance the night away and return via the early trains to accommodation in nearby Manchester, Warrington or Southport.
Spending the weekend at some of the best hotels in the city will certainly burn a whole in your pocket.
There are only 84 hotels in the city centre, meaning there is a strong demand for accommodation.
The Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, where a woman died in 2022 after being crushed by a wardrobe, is charging £549 for a night’s stay during the European extravaganza.
Luxury studio apartments in the city centre are on the market for up to £8,840 for the Saturday night. A week later the same apartment would cost just £416.
One central Liverpool apartment that sleeps four is charging up to £748 a night during the competition.
Another waterfront luxury flat is listed at £1,169 for a night over the Eurovision weekend.
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