HELENA — Airbnb’s are feeling the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Debra Remillard owns a farm-based Airbnb outside of East Helena, called Little Patch of Heaven and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the ripple effect was felt across the country.
"Because even though our outbreak is in great control, we can't take people from New York, we can't take people from Texas, so all across the country Airbnb’s are really hurting,” Remillard said.
She says Airbnb has offered some compensation for the many cancellations. Remillard added they're a great company, and have been offering many programs to help with the financial loss many owners are feeling during this pandemic.
In her three years of owning Little Patch of Heaven, she has taken in visitors from across the world. Her Airbnb is farm-based; a complete hands-on experience for visitors.
"It’s all pets. That’s the big thing, everyone has a name, everyone has been raised from a baby, everyone wants to be petted, everyone wants to be in your pocket. People really choose this place for that experience. They want to bottle feed a calf; they've never done that. They want to collect eggs, they want to groom a horse, that want to play with the baby goats that are born."
Debra voluntarily furloughed from her part time job as a physician’s assistant, when COVID-19 hit.
She knows times are hard for everyone, but she's also eager to open her Airbnb back up, and share the joy of her farm life with the many visitors she welcomes each year.
To find out more about 'Little Patch of Heaven', visit here.
