If you are coming to Cuba...

My opinion which is quite similar to Bob's.

Airbnb forcing prices down. Didn't realize they could control or force pricing.

Gentrification..... This is a problem all over the world. I would venture to guess none of these cp's were renting rooms to Cubans, in the past. The real gentrification happening in Cuba is with properties changing hands. Even the most modest apartment is beyond the reach of 90% of Cubans. It costs, about 50k cuc to build a reasonable house, complete, in Cuba assuming you can find land. Properties are changing hands at elevated prices, remember, construction prices are not as inexpensive as one would think, due solely to family living outside of Cuba who have the means to purchase an apartment or house or do major renovations. Prices have been pushed up... Supply and demand. This includes people like me who are not Cuban but married to a Cuban and will be moving to Cuba. We have the means.

So, like in many places in this world where prices are considered far less expensive, property prices are being pushed up by foreigners.

When a tear down in Vancouver, Canads, costs over a million dollars, no local can afford that. All, affluent Chinese buying up properties forcing property prices up.

"What I think it (Airbnb) does do is encourage more Cuba tourism by making it easy for Cuba newbies to navigate the casa particular system."

The same is true for using Cuba based agencies. I am basically a Cuba newbie, and used Cuban agencies to book casas, it was easy and I preferred using a Cuban agency. Some people are used to using Airbnb and prefer that, some of us prefer to make other choices. That's why there are different hat sizes.

Re #17 & #20 - forcing prices - airbnb has "pricing suggestions" based on some odd algorithms they use. You may get a notice when updating your calendar saying something like "consider lowering your rate to get more bookings - other properties nearby are charging x per night" .
Owners can be paid via AIS or in cash, delivered to their door.

It's a suggestion. Nothing compelling anyone to lower their prices. I'm ok with that.

So AIS or cash delivered. What i thought. Thanks.

First time poster here, but long time AirBnB'r.

I'm going to Cuba next month and I used an AirBnB to book my first few nights because of 2 main reasons...

1. Walking around a foreign country, towing my luggage while looking for a place to stay is fine when I'm traveling alone but I'm with wife and kids and they NEED some sort of itinerary. Cuba is already intimidating enough for them. I didn't want the added stress of not knowing where we'd sleep when we landed.

2. Less money that I need to carry with me.

We probably paid a bit more with the cleaning fees, but not only do we have peace of mind, I found a Casa with many
recent positive reviews, comes with an english speaking guide and cook, in a great location that I wouldn't have even thought about if I hadn't came across it on AirBnB.

Makes sense but no one charges cleaning fees unless you're asking them to clean your clothes.

Your post erroneously implies that the only way to pre book or pre pay for casas is with Airbnb.
Cuba based booking agencies or casas booked direct with the owner do not charge cleaning fees.
"Cuba is already intimidating enough for them" - in what way?

The cleaning fees - I've noticed these on a few casas in Havana. I reckon because it's an option for owners to select, some think "why not?".

Absolutely!

per my post 21, we accomplished all that by using a Cuba based agency, I don't know why some folks perpetuate the myth that it is only possible with Airbnb.