San Francisco

Airbnb Host Fined $5K for Canceling SF Woman's Reservation Based on Race

Guest from San Francisco asked host why she canceled, and the text reply said, 'One word says it all. Asian.'

An Airbnb host who made a racial remark after cancelling a Bay Area woman's reservation has been ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and attend a college course in Asian American studies.

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing said Thursday the host also agreed to apologize.

The guest, Dyne Suh of San Francisco, had reserved a home in Big Bear in February through Airbnb. The host later canceled the reservation as Suh was driving to the home.

The host, Tami Barker, said it was because Suh was going to have additional guests. Barker wrote in a message to Suh, "One word says it all. Asian."

Suh said she hoped the settlement encourages others to report discrimination.

A message left at a number listed for Barker in public records wasn't immediately returned.

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