Airbnb has announced the launch of its Office of Healthy Tourism - an initiative to drive local, authentic and sustainable tourism in countries and cities across the globe. Along with the launch of the office, Airbnb also released data that shows the benefits of healthy tourism for hosts, guests and cities around the world, as well as announcing the creation of a new tourism advisory board, which will be made up of travel industry leaders from around the world.
Since the company was founded 10 years ago, travelers have discovered new destinations and neighborhoods off the typical tourist path, bringing the economic benefits of tourism to small businesses and local residents around the world. Building off of this work through partnerships, programmes and events, Airbnb plans to expand its efforts to economically empower communities, drive travel to lesser-known places, and support environmentally-friendly travel habits with tits Office of Healthy Tourism.
Commenting on the initiative, Airbnb head of global policy Chris Lehane said, "With travel and tourism growing faster than most of the rest of economy, it is critical that as many people as possible are benefiting, and right now not all tourism is created equal. To democratize the benefits of travel, Airbnb offers a healthy alternative to the mass travel that has plagued cities for decades.
"Airbnb supports tourism that is local, authentic, diverse, inclusive and sustainable. Through the meaningful income earned by the mosaic that is our global community of hosts; our ability to promote tourism to places that need it the most; and the inherent sustainable benefits of hosting, Airbnb is providing the type of travel that is best for destinations, residents, and travelers alike."
© 2018 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
