In this way, guests in Portugal who do not have a history of positive reviews on the Airbnb platform will not be able to book one night for an entire accommodation on New Year's Eve. In addition, Airbnb will also maximise the technology's potential to limit certain local last-minute bookings made by guests who do not have a history of positive reviews on the platform, as well as blocking reservations within a certain radius.

On the other hand, all guests must confirm that they will not be hosting a party and that they can be reported by Airbnb if they violate the rules on parties and events; regardless of their history on the platform and the type of reservation they make.

The hosts are also being told how to further reduce the risk of unauthorised parties, including updating and proactively communicating house rules to guests. In addition, the Airbnb platform will maintain a virtual control centre to anticipate such situations, which will have trained security officers available on New Year's Eve.

Mónica Casañas, general director of Airbnb Marketing Services, S.L., explains: “We know that these parties will be different, and many of us will celebrate the end of an incredibly difficult year. This also brings us to the reality of a small minority that may try to spoil these dates, but our message to them is clear: they are not welcome on the Airbnb platform. Through these new measures, we hope that hosts, guests and local communities will enjoy a safe and peaceful New Year.”

This measure follows Airbnb's recent decision to remove or suspend more than 800 ads in Spain as part of the lawsuit against so-called "party houses". This number includes ads that have received complaints or that have violated the policies of unauthorized parties and events, which are explicitly prohibited on the Airbnb platform. In addition, more than 5,000 booking attempts were blocked on the platform a month after restrictions were introduced as part of a pilot project that limits some reservations made by people under 25 who intend to stay close to where they live.

This year, Airbnb also announced a global ban on parties and, last year, began to implement much stricter limits, starting by banning what was known as “party houses”: spaces that repeatedly caused discomfort to neighbours. It also launched a 24/7 neighbourhood support line, which allows direct communication with neighbours, helping to enforce the ban, and which is planned to be extended to the entire world.

Airbnb will continue to impose a ban on parties of any size, and will take action against guests and hosts if complaints are received from neighbours.