In the space of a few years, Airbnb has become the go-to leader in rental housing. Thus the platform connects individuals for booking accommodation for tourism. It was born in the United States in 2008, under the leadership of its two creators, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia. Today, Airbnb operates in more than 200 countries. It generates a colossal turnover of more than $1 billion. There are more than 500,000 listings in the territory, representing 10% of the group’s global market. The platform is a huge success, and this is not without its commitments. Indeed, it intends to promote a new way of travelling, more committed and more sustainable.
Adapting to post-covid-19 demand
The crisis of COVID 19 has profoundly changed the mores in terms of travel. Indeed, the future is uncertain and international travel is mostly interrupted as a result of border closures. Travellers preferred to travel in the near-family and family tourism area. They want to refocus on safe values. Indeed, this health crisis has alienated people and pushed them towards a quest for authenticity. Thus, travellers aspire to a new way of travelling with domestic travel in the territory. They want to travel less far but they want to travel better. Airbnb notes this year, French travelers represent 80% of the territory’s travelers compared to 60% the previous year. (2)
For example, rural areas have been popular with travellers, as confirmed by the increase in bookings in these places by more than 90% between June and July (2). Airbnb has clearly understood these new desires to travel and has decided to honor small villages to match the growing demand in these territories still little known. By partnering with the Association of Rural Mayors of France, the group aims to introduce places that are still little visited to offer travelers the breath of air they need and also to re-energize the local economy.
Highlighting the territory’s wealth and promoting the local economy
Moreover, the country’s economy has not been spared, the consequences of containment have proved to be rather difficult for many traders or tourism players. The problem is all the more present in rural areas that do not always enjoy the same attraction as large cities. However, these territories have so many wonders to offer. Airbnb understands this and is turning to an approach to promote sustainable tourism (4) . The group wants to highlight tourism that takes into account the economic, social, and environmental impact. Thus, it supports the activity of local businesses, motivating its members to continue to recommend local addresses and by offering personal guides for travelers. For example, you can visit Bordeaux, alongside Laure (5), a graduate interpreter guide, who offers to walk around the city to discover it. It is by following this will that the guide to good addresses was born. The guide is produced by the host community and aims to recommend local traders.
Making Airbnb’s actions a realisation through partnerships
But beyond that, the group engages through partnerships to achieve its goals. This is particularly the case with the partnership that emerged in March 2019 between the group, New Aquitaine(6) and the CTR Regional Tourism Committee (7) . Its aim is to enhance the strong potential of inner New Aquitaine, particularly in the Creuse, Haute-Vienne and Corrèze. This partnership helps to give greater visibility to local managers and internal destinations in the region. It also helps to accompany guests through a community to promote the area. More recently, in June 2020, the group unveils secret villages always with the aim of supporting local tourism (8). It offers a variety of experiences to encourage travellers to travel. The group offers in particular experiences to learn to surf in Biscarrosse.
Thus, the American giant Airbnb is committed through an approach to enhance the territory, while taking into account the economic dimension. Despite its growth, the group has not strayed from its original values and continues to value local players. It has thus succeeded in mixing social and economic dimensions while responding to current needs and problems.
Sources:
- Travelling to meet – Airbnb May 18, 2020
- The French went green – Airbnb 4 September 2020
- Destination France – Airbnb June 11, 2020
- Definition sustainable tourism http://www.tourisme-durable.org/tourisme-durable/definitions
- Neoclassical Bordeaux guided tour Airbnb
- Airbnb and New Aquitaine Airbnb March 29, 2020
- Airbnb, domestic tourism Bordeaux Business published on 4 June 2020, written by Audrey Kozaczka
- AMRF and Airbnb unveil secret villages to spend the summer– Airbnb June 11, 2020
