Airbnb offers a year of rent-free living in a restored Sicilian home
Venice

Airbnb offers a year of rent-free living in a restored Sicilian home

By Judy J. Beasley

There “1 euro houseaims to boost tourism and attract new temporary residents to the Italian village of Sambuca in Sicily as part of Airbnb’s broader commitment to supporting rural communities, encouraging international investment and attracting a younger population.

Now transformed into a three-story designer Italian heritage home, the 1-euro house will give a resident and their partner, friend or family members the opportunity to temporarily settle on the island, while hosting stays for Airbnb guests as a source of revenue.

Airbnb worked with Italian architecture firm Studio Didea to transform the building using materials and colors that complement the local landscape. “Blending contemporary design with handmade and local artisanal elements, the structure is typical of charming Sicilian architecture,” Airbnb said in a statement.
The ground floor has a small living room, a master bedroom with a king-size bed and an en-suite bathroom. The first floor also has a living room, kitchen, work area, bathroom and a loft bedroom with a king-size bed. The upper floor includes additional living space with a queen-size sleeper sofa.1 Euro House, Sambuca

The successful candidate will be able to choose the room they want for themselves and the one they want to rent.

Ideal candidates should be committed to hosting and contributing to village life. Their residency at Sambuca will take place over a period of one year beginning June 30, 2022, with the successful applicant retaining all income from hosting stays on Airbnb for a minimum of nine months.1 Euro House, Sambuca 1 Euro House, Sambuca

Sambuca itself launched a rejuvenation campaign in 2019 with the intention of attracting more Millennials and Gen Z. Leonardo Ciaccio, Mayor of Sambuca di Sicilia, says: “The beauty of this campaign is that it gives a second chance not only to an abandoned heritage house in the heart of our village – it’s also a second chance to the person who moves in. .

“We see it as a designer makeover for the house and the host. We are looking for someone who wants to live with the local people and participate in all the important moments of the community, from grape harvest to olive picking and we have look forward to welcoming whoever is selected.

1 Euro House, Sambuca 1 Euro House, Sambuca

Airbnb’s commitment to heritage in Italy

This opportunity in Sambuca highlights the potential economic benefits to rural communities due to changing travel trends on Airbnb driven by the pandemic.

In the third quarter of 2019, only four Italian cities accounted for more than 26% of all trips: Rome, Venice, Milan and Florence.

In the third quarter of 2021, however, these same four cities accounted for less than 17% of trips and one of the most visited regions in Italy was Sicily. Airbnb aims to support this demand by working with villages like Sambuca, to help restore them to their former glory.

Airbnb has previously supported similar heritage efforts with small villages, such as the restoration of an artist’s house in Civita, the italian sabbatical to support the revitalization of the village of Grottole and the Italian Villages Project to showcase off-the-beaten-track destinations and sustainable tourism.

What is the next step ? Trend reports available for download HERE


Judy J. Beasley
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