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13th May 2023

Eurovision fan saw £200 AirBnB booking relisted for £41,000 ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

Callum Boyle

Eurovision

The demand for rooms in Liverpool has been quite something

Tonight (Saturday May 13) will provide one of the biggest nights in the entertainment calendar: Eurovision.

This year, the city of Liverpool will host the festival of music in honour of Ukraine, who won last year’s edition after the United Kingdom finished in second.

Given the popularity of the showcase, the demand for rooms in the city has been overwhelming to say the least. Plans had to be put in place early doors to ensure that the best deal could be secured.

However one Eurovision fan was left shocked with AirBnB after the price of his accommodation dramatically increased.

Callum Rowe admitted he was “really happy” when he, his girlfriend and four friends found a property in Liverpool for a “steal” for the dates of the concert.

But the 26-year-old then realised that his booking request had been denied before returning to the rental site where it was being priced for way over what the original cost, at a whopping £41,145 per night.

The original price of the terrace house in Sefton Park, Liverpool was £200-a-night but as Rowe told ITV, an email from the host informed him of the sudden cancellation.

“It was pretty shocking and disappointing to see,” he said.

“Eurovision is about togetherness and celebrating each other and coming together, so it was sad to see. I never got a response.

“I’m surprised there aren’t more safeguards in place to stop hosts trying to charge such enormous prices. It was just insane.”

A spokesperson from AirBnb responded, saying: “This listing is not representative of prices on Airbnb and the average price per night of a booked stay during Eurovision is £260, providing affordable accommodation for guests and helping local families boost their income.”

Thankfully, after going public with his experience on Twitter, Callum and his friends were able to find some backup accommodation and will be there in Liverpool alongside thousands of others, partying the night away.

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