Airbnb is asking select hosts to join a pilot program that removes guest fees from listings.

In an email the company is sending to hosts obtained by Phocuswire, Airbnb says it’s running the program to see if eliminating the fee increases bookings.

The email outlines that instead of the usual guest and host fees that total roughly 15% of the listing price, the new program will charge a host fee of 12% with no added guest fee.

Participation from hosts is entirely voluntary, and those that sign on will trial the service for about four weeks, after which rates and fees return to normal.

Targeting this service to professional property managers – in this case, about 100 – hints to Airbnb’s further ambitions to infiltrate the hotel and professional hospitality space.

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