Free Airbnbs And Discounted Hotels: How The Travel Industry Is Helping LA Wildfire Victims

Dozens of hospitality and tourism businesses are offering their support to residents and travellers forced to flee from fire-impacted areas.

ADVERTISEMENT

The rampant wildfires consuming vast swathes of Los Angeles have forced around 180,000 people to evacuate. 

Many now don’t have homes to return to; the flames have ripped through entire neighbourhoods leaving properties as smouldering wrecks. 

Dozens of businesses have now come forward to offer accommodation, transport and support to those who have had to flee. 

Resources available include stays in Airbnb properties and Uber rides. 

LA vacation rentals offered as free accommodation

Holiday rental site Airbnb is offering free temporary housing for people displaced by the wildfires.

The organisation has partnered with 211 LA, a non-profit organisation connecting residents with essential services, to put people in touch with property owners.

The stays are funded by Airbnb.org, a nonprofit founded by Airbnb that provides free emergency housing in times of crisis, and Airbnb hosts.

They are specifically focused on residents who have either lost their home or been forced to evacuate in the Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Sylmar areas.  

More information can be found here.

Vrbo, an online marketplace for holiday rentals, is offering refunds to guests who have been forced to cancel reservations at properties in fire-affected areas. 

LA fires: Hotels offer discounts on rooms

Hotels across Los Angeles are offering discounted room rates for evacuees. 

Los Angeles Tourism has compiled a list of hotels that are offering discounts to those displaced here.

Hotels in Anaheim are also offering reduced room rates for those affected in the Southern California area.

Guests should keep their receipts and take photos of them to submit to their home or travel insurance company for reimbursement. 

LA fires: Hotels welcome pets and Uber offers free rides

People fleeing with pets are being welcomed at various properties outside the city including the Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport, Alisal Ranch and the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft are offering free transport - up to $40 (€39) and two trips of up to $25 (€24) respectively - to shelters for those in fire-affected areas. 

RECENT NEWS

Is It Safe To Travel To Thailand And Cambodia As Border Clashes Escalate?

In July, a five-day flare-up displaced more than 200,000 people, left 40 dead and affected flights and land routes. Read more

Japan Earthquake: Is It Safe To Travel Despite The Megaquake Warning?

The ‘megaquake’ warning is the first since the category was introduced in 2022. Read more

Tuscan Wines And Alpine Climbs: Europes Luxury Trains Offer New Ways To Celebrate The New Year

La Dolce Vita's three-day experience comes with a price tag to match its exclusivity, starting at €11,280 per passenge... Read more

Lisbon Airport Queues Spark Security Warnings As Police Unions Cite Pressure To Speed Up Checks

Portuguese police unions have warned that government pressure to reduce airport queues is forcing the use of simplified ... Read more

Thailand Ends Its Afternoon Alcohol Ban: Heres What Travellers Need To Know

The afternoon alcohol sales ban dated to 1972, when it was passed to prevent civil servants from drinking during the wor... Read more

Eurostar On Track To Link Germany And UK. But, When Will Direct Trains Launch?

Direct train services linking Germany and the UK were unveiled earlier this year, but what progress has been made since? Read more