Two friends were left feeling “utter shock” after their Airbnb host cancelled their reservation because they were Welsh.
Jemma Louise Gough and Jamie Lee Watkins were looking for a place to say in Manchester where they were going to see Australian music producer, Sonny Fodera, in concert.
They were travelling from South Wales for the gig and were booking accommodation for one night.
After finding what they were looking for on Airbnb, they messaged the host and paid upfront.
However, soon after they received an email to say their booking had been declined and refunded.
When the pair asked why the reservation had been rejected, they received a message back from the host which read: “Because you’re from WALES.”
Gough told GB News: “I’ve never faced discrimination on any level before so the experience was quite surprising and unsettling at the same time.
“But I was in utter shock. It made me feel instantly like an outsider and not welcome for the simple fact I’m from Wales.
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Jemma has accused the Airbnb host of xenophobia
“But more so, we were so confused.
“We were like ‘why?’ It was not that ‘you are a Welsh woman’ – it was ‘Wales’.”
Gough told the People’s Channel she had checked the Airbnb host’s reviews and discovered previous guests were from places all around the globe – including several from Welsh towns.
“We don’t have any explanation or answers as to why,” she said.
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The two friends were attempting to book to stay one night at the accommodation to go to a gig
Gough has accused the Airbnb host of “xenophobia” and described the move as “absolutely horrendous”, The Telegraph reports.
Airbnb has confirmed the host was suspended while it “investigated” the incident.
“Discrimination, including on the basis of nationality, has no place on Airbnb, a spokesperson said.
“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.”
