**Welsh Friends Claim Discrimination After Airbnb Host Refuses Booking Citing Nationality**
Two friends from Cwmbran, South Wales, say they were left shocked and disheartened after an Airbnb host allegedly declined their room reservation solely because they are Welsh. The women, Jemma Louise Gough, aged 38, and her 37-year-old friend Jamie Lee Watkins, had hoped to book a double room in Manchester for one night while attending a music event at the city’s Co-op Live Arena.
The pair had settled on an £83 listing and, according to their account, included a note in their booking request, simply stating that they were travelling “from Wales to see the gig.” Little did they expect that within just over an hour, their booking would not only be declined but that the reason given for the cancellation would directly reference their nationality.
Upon receiving an email of rejection, the friends sought clarification from the host. To their astonishment, the response they claim to have received was an emphatic “Because you’re from WALES.” The brief explanation, delivered in capital letters, left both women deeply unsettled. Ms Gough, who works as a school support officer and is a mother of two, described her reaction: “My mouth just hit the floor. There was no other reason given—nothing about us going to a concert or anything, just sheer discrimination based on where we’re from.”
Both women expressed bewilderment that something as seemingly innocuous as being Welsh would lead to a rejection. Ms Gough added, “The Welsh are lovely people. I just felt it was xenophobia, blatant discrimination. I’m a white woman, so it wasn’t racism in a traditional sense, but it felt pretty close—there’s clearly a problem when someone refuses service based on nationality.”
Jamie Lee Watkins, a registered nurse who made the booking from her own account, echoed these concerns and referenced the UK’s Equality Act 2010, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of nationality. She recounted: “I just thought, ‘how can you turn someone away just because they’re from Wales?’ The message was short, sharp, and frankly hard to believe. If there had been an issue about us going to the concert and maybe coming back late, or any other concern, I could have understood. But there was no reason—only our being Welsh.”
The incident has stirred an outpouring of support online, following a video reel Ms Gough shared on Instagram and Facebook to document her experience. The video has quickly amassed thousands of views and comments, with many users expressing solidarity, indignation, and disappointment over the way the situation was handled.
For its part, the Airbnb host in question has declined to publicly comment on the matter. However, when approached for a statement, Airbnb sought to distance itself from the host’s alleged actions. An Airbnb spokesperson confirmed, “Discrimination, including on the basis of nationality, has no place on Airbnb. As soon as we were made aware, we reached out to the guest, offered support, and suspended the host while we investigate this incident.”
The company’s move, combined with the story’s traction on social media, has reignited debate about the adequacy of safeguards on home rental platforms. With millions relying on such services for travel and accommodation, incidents like this remind many of the importance of ensuring equal treatment for all users, regardless of nationality or background.
As the matter is currently under investigation by Airbnb, it remains to be seen whether any further action will be taken against the host, or if the incident will prompt changes to Airbnb’s vetting and monitoring policies. Meanwhile, the two friends are considering their options—and say they hope their experience will at least raise awareness and bring about a broader discussion on discrimination in the UK’s hospitality sector.