As nature tourism grows in popularity, Airbnb’s Rural Bootcamp program is designed to encourage people living in the countryside to open their homes to guests. Olivia Palamountain reports
After a year of lockdowns, social distancing, health issues and the pandemic-induced general frenzy, it’s no surprise that many of us aspire to a good life.
Based on data from Airbnb, rural listings have earned hosts over US $ 5 billion since March 11, 2020, with more people than ever looking for breaks that prioritize space, privacy, air fresh, natural habitats and sustainability.
Specifically, the data shows a shift in travel from urban destinations to more rural areas and smaller communities. For example, in August 2020, more guests stayed in the Catskills and Hudson Valley than in New York City.
Faced with this boom in rural tourism, Airbnb has launched a Rural training camp initiative, designed to help rural communities across Europe offer customers the opportunity for a change of scenery and the chance to get back to nature.Through a series of partnerships and hospitality training programs (to date, Airbnb has partnered with Agritourism in Italy and Fademur in Spain), the Rural Bootcamp will help unlock access to the hospitality and tourism sector by giving individuals and organizations in rural communities the toolkit they need to thrive on the Airbnb platform as a as hosts (both via their home and the Airbnb experiences Platform).
The president of the farmer, Augosto Congionti, believes that the rural training camp has great potential for guests, farmers and rural communities at large. He says: “Thanks to the collaboration with Airbnb, we have the possibility to make known what the Italian agriturismo has to offer and to allow people to take advantage of the wide range of offers that are part of our network.
“Agrotourism gives tourists the opportunity to enjoy nature, to live and know the locality and to have unique experiences that enrich both body and mind.
The ease of building a list and becoming an Airbnb host has allowed more people in more places to open their homes through the platform, on every continent except Antarctica. They are spread over more than 220 countries and regions, both in towns and villages and in the most remote rural areas.
Airbnb is now calling on other destination marketing organizations, farmer associations and agritourism associations to get involved and help spread the benefits of rural tourism in their communities.
Rural tourism is particularly attractive at the moment, according to Giacomo Trovato, Airbnb’s country director for Italy. “The hospitality of rural hosts is particularly attractive to many people who wish to travel after a difficult year.
“And at the same time, this type of tourism has the potential to spread economic benefits beyond the big cities to lesser-known rural communities. In partnership with Agriturist, we want to help a wider audience to discover these Italian rural gems.
Another reservation platform flying the flag of the great outdoors is Hipcamp. In the same way that Airbnb connects owners with guests, Hipcamp opens up access to private grounds for camping and outdoor recreation through its friendly and friendly user experience, offset by hipster imagery and ambitious scenes. .
A ‘mission-driven marketplace’ where people can list, browse and book campsites and accommodation on private and public land, Hipcamp also digs into the details so nomads know what to expect, what to expect. try to find the best place to picnic or glampsite. Find the full Globetender report here.
According to a study by QYResearch, the market for nature tourism (also known as agro-ecotourism) is worth around US $ 13 billion worldwide – and that was before the pandemic, which will undoubtedly boost the request to spend time outdoors.
As Globetender predicted in its report on Traveling in the age of Covid-19, Wilderness Seeking is a big trend in 2021.
Sleeping under the stars (Celestial Escapes) is a trend that Globetrender editor and founder Jenny Southan recently identified for a report she co-wrote with Euronews (see below).
In a derivative article she wrote for Euronews Travel, she said: “In the viral age, a thirst for the great outdoors, along with a stronger desire to understand the meaning of life, will draw people to wild places that offer peaceful and contemplative nights. under the heavens.
She added: “With the ongoing pandemic not only harming the physical well-being of people, it is also inflicting great psychological damage. For many people, the experience will cause long-lasting PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
Inspired by the growing trend of nature tourism, Yonder is another site offering travelers the ability to book cabin and ranch stays across the United States, as well as outdoor experiences such as the Liaison on horseback and mushroom hunting.
Comments are closed.