Tourist claims Airbnb host cancelled her booking ‘because she is Asian’ before saying ‘it’s why we have Trump’
WHEN booking accommodation on Airbnb, guests expect to be greeted by their hosts with open arms.
But one American tourist has tearfully revealed how her reservation was cancelled at the last minute and claims it was because of her race.
Law student Dyne Suh from California had made the booking on Airbnb to stay near Big Bear Lake the over Presidents' Day holiday weekend in the US.
She had contacted the listing owner just minutes before arriving at the lodging to ask if she could add two more people and their two dogs to the booking.
Dyne, who has lived in America since she was three, was told this would be allowed but later she says she received a string of abusive text messages, cancelling her reservation because she is Asian.
The 25-year-old also said that the host tried to justify their cancellation by saying that is why America elected Donald Trump as president.
In a screen-shot of the supposed exchange of messages, which Dyne posted on Facebook, the host tells her: "If you think four people and two dogs ate [sic] getting a room fir [sic] $50 a night on Big Bear mountain during the busiest weekend of the year … You are insanely high.'
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And when the student challenges the cancellation, the host then appears to say: "Go ahead. I wouldn't rent to u if u were the last person on earth.
"One word says it all. Asian."
Later in the exchange when Dyne calls the host's behaviour racist and tells them to 'say goodbye to airbnb', the listing owner follows up with: "It's why we have trump.
"And I will not allow this country to be told what to do by foreigners."
Dyne and her group were then forced to look for another place to stay despite an incoming snow storm.
Luckily they found a "cute cabin" nearby in the early hours of the morning.
But in YouTube video posted this week, recounting the ordeal, an emotional Dyne said she’s still shocked by the incident.
She said: "I’m an American citizen, this is my home. I’ve been here since I was three years old.
"America is my home, I consider myself an American but this woman discriminates against me for being Asian. She cancelled on us when we were three minutes away from the house. I just feel so hurt.”
Since the incident Airbnb have fully refunded Dyne for the trip and the alternative accommodation.
The company said in a statement: "Airbnb does not condone discrimination in any way.
"We have worked to provide the guest with our full support. In line with our non-discrimination policy, this host has been permanently removed from the Airbnb platform."
The host of the property has so far declined to comment.