A Tradition Unlike Any Other? Airbnb’s Ongoing Price Gouging Could Cost Those Attending The Masters Thousands

Augusta Airbnb Hosts Increase Prices By As Much As $1,300 Per Night

Click here to download a pdf version of this release or to share on social media

As golf’s main event is upon us, and Augusta Airbnb hosts, many of whom are commercial operators running multiple listings, are jacking up their rates for the Masters Tournament weekend. A new report released by AirbnbWATCH shows just how outrageous the the price gouging gets.

The report reveals rates for many Airbnb rentals increasing by thousands of dollars per night, similar to findings in previously released reports during the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Now during the Masters Tournament weekend, a home in downtown Augusta, which is normally rented for $295 per night, was being advertised for $1,300 per night for the weekend. A typical four-night stay at that property would cost a total of $1,180, but the same length of stay during the Masters Tournament would cost more than $5,200.

In a San Diego Union-Tribune article, Chris Lehane, Airbnb’s Head of Global Policy and Public Affairs said, “It’s pretty clear that our hosts don’t engage in gouging. When demand for Airbnb increases, supply also tends to increase. When you look at big events, like for a Super Bowl weekend, there’s maybe a $20 increase.” Windsor points out the reports exposing Airbnb hosts’ gouging guests at major events like the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras and now at the Masters Tournament tell a very different story.

“While many golf fans were expecting to enjoy ‘a tradition like no other’ while at the greatest golf tournament in the world, they weren’t expecting to face extreme pricing while trying to book their stays,” stated Windsor.  “Commercial Airbnb hosts will be pushing golf fans’ wallets to the limits, while driving thousands of complete strangers into the streets of Augusta neighborhoods.”

The Masters Tournament runs through April 8.