jtrent238 test blog: Travel Dispatch: Discrimination in Home-Sharing

December 17, 2022

Dallas and Shirley Smith booked an apartment on Vrbo last year to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary, but when they arrived, the host turned them away. They believe it was because they are Black.Bee Trofort for The New York Times

Dear Travel Fan,

There's no question that Airbnb revolutionized travel. But some people of color — particularly Black guests — say that despite the policies and partnerships that Airbnb and other home-sharing platforms have put into place, they still face discrimination when booking or staying in vacation rentals. This week, as Airbnb put out a report on what it's doing to combat bias on its site, we talked to Black travelers who say they faced prejudice and that the companies involved let them down.

In recent years Dubai has emerged as a destination for food lovers and we take a look at its booming dining scene, focusing not on the big international chefs, but on restaurants run by local talents.

Our Tripped Up column looks into the case of a traveler who shelled out for a pricey travel credit card only to have it declined when she tried to use it on her travels. We've also got advice on buying used winter sports gear to make that ski or snowboarding trip a little cheaper. And our 36 Hours column touches down in Seoul.

If you want help with a travel mishap, tell us about it by sending a brief email to: TrippedUp@nytimes.com.

Wishing you safe and happy journeys,

Amy Virshup

OPEN UP YOUR WORLD

Jun Michael Park for The New York Times

36 HOURS

36 Hours in Seoul

Hike fortress walls without leaving the city limits, go to an "LP bar" and enjoy stir-fried intestines at a baseball game: only in Seoul.

By Victoria Kim

Greta Rybus

THE WORLD THROUGH A LENS

Taking to the Woods With Maine's 'Tree Tippers'

Generations of Mainers have made a living working seasonal, nature-based jobs. Harvesting the balsam used to make wreaths is one of them.

By Greta Rybus

Natalie Naccache for The New York Times

Dubai Is the Newest Culinary Destination. Here's a Taste.

After years of simmering, the Dubai food scene is at full boil. The emirate now boasts some 13,000 establishments — more per capita than New York City — and some are nabbing global laurels.

By Seth Sherwood

Continue reading the main story

THE CHANGING WORLD OF TRAVEL

Jim Wilson/The New York Times

Black Travelers Say Home-Share Hosts Discriminate, and a New Airbnb Report Agrees

The internal study details the vacation rental company's antidiscrimination efforts. But some travelers of color say it and other home-share companies don't go far enough.

By Sara Clemence

Ryan Chapman

FRUGAL TRAVELER

Cheap Meets Eco-Chic on the Ski Slopes

Alpine gear is expensive, but online dealers of used jackets, boots, skis and more are enticing newcomers with bargain prices and promoting recycling in an era of climate change.

By Elaine Glusac

Miguel Porlan

TRIPPED UP

Help! My Pricey Travel Credit Card Wouldn't Work When I Traveled

A Chase card with an annual fee of $550 is touted as handy for going abroad. But on a recent trip outside the U.S., it was declined at every stop. Is there any protection from fraud protection?

By Seth Kugel