TWO women were left “speechless” after their Airbnb stay was cancelled by the host because they are from Wales.
Jemma Louise Gough, 38, and Jamie Lee Watkins, 37, from Cwmbran, Torfaen, told BBC News their booking request to stay at an Airbnb in Manchester in November was declined due to their nationality.
The two friends had booked the stay ahead of watching Australian DJ Sonny Fodera at the Co-op Live Arena.
They told the Airbnb host they were coming from Wales for the gig, but soon noticed their payment had been refunded and their booking request cancelled.
The pair said they were left “gobsmacked” after they asked why their stay had been declined as the host replied: “Because you're from Wales.”
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Gough said “my flabber had never been so gasted”.
“When I heard that my mouth hit the floor, utter shock,” said Jemma, adding they were “pretty much speechless”.
“It was pure discrimination of where we are from.
“I am so proud to be Welsh and that's why I decided to speak out about what happened to us. I want to challenge these narrow views.”
Gough said the interaction made her feel “instantly like an outsider” and not welcome in Manchester.
The two friends went on to describe their further confusion as the message was from a verified Airbnb “superhost”, which requires them to maintain a high overall rating and a 90% or higher response rate.
Among the reviews, the superhost had been described as "friendly" and "lovely", said Gough, who added that previous reviews were from people across the world, including guests from Wales.
“I don't know what the entire country has done to her but we're so confused, we've had no answers,” she said.
According to the BBC, Airbnb said the host had been suspended from using the service while it investigated the two friends' claims.
Airbnb added that the host didn’t respond to any more of the pair's messages and said discrimination “has no place” on the firm's booking services.
Gough told the BBC that the incident still has questions left unanswered as the pair continued to chase Airbnb.
“I firmly believe discrimination takes form in many, many ways, and it all warrants attention and are all equally unacceptable," said Gough.
She added she did not want others to be affected by such behaviour.
In a statement, Airbnb 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.”
