misterbnb — the “gay Airbnb” — sets its sights on expansion in America
Matthieu Jost can identify with the gay couple in Texas booted from their Airbnb rental by a homeowner because of their sexual orientation. Four years ago, he traveled with his partner to Barcelona and upon arrival, it was clear that the host was not comfortable with two gay men in her apartment. Jost says the woman even asked, “Are you going to sleep in the same bed?”
The incident was so unnerving, Jost started his own company – misterbnb, a home rental website based on the Airbnb model, but aimed at gay travelers. Jost told Road Warrior Voices:
“This experience made it clear to me that a short-term rental service by and for gay men was needed to help provide not just a safe and comfortable experience but also one where travelers can connect with gay locals and expand their own sense of community.”
Currently boasting over 100,000 registered users and more than 15,000 listings in 130 countries, misterbnb recently received $2 million in seed funding — and it’s funneling some of that money towards expansion in the U.S. and Asia. Jost says:
“We are in currently in the 500 Startups accelerator program in San Francisco and are opening in more cities in the US. We are also opening in the Asian market. It’s an exciting market for us to reach the gay outbound Asian traveler and help connect them with the larger global gay community.”
While there are currently no listings on misterbnb.com in Galveston, Texas – the city where the gay couple were ejected from their Airbnb rental – Jost says that expanding to places like Galveston is inevitable.
“We have focused on cities where gay men travel most. That said, we already have, through word of mouth, many listings in some smaller cities. Our aim is to go deeper into these smaller cities as we see success in the larger cities.”
Heather, the Galveston gal who ejected the gay couple from her home noted at the bottom of her Airbnb listing “BTW FYI We are ‘straight friendly’ hosts.” So is misterbnb straight-friendly too? Jost told Road Warrior Voices:
“Yes we are. We are inclusive and open to everyone. We have straight hosts who identify as “gay-friendly” and straight travelers. In fact, 5% of our travelers are straight women who travel on misterbnb to be safe and have fun. They also like to rent from gay men because we are welcoming and open.”