COP26: Airbnb offers cash incentive to Glasgow residents to welcome visitors to climate summit
The Airbnb hosting portal has pledged to distribute the money to all hosts who are renting their property through its website for the first time at the international conference.
The company has also pledged to donate any profits it makes on rentals during COP26 to Zero Waste Scotland for projects to tackle the environmental crisis.
Airbnb says potential new owners have a “unique” chance to be “part of history” by renting rooms during the two-week event, billed as the most important global talks on the environmental crisis since signing. the Paris Agreement in 2015.
COP26, the 26th Conference of the Parties, is due to take place in Glasgow from November 1-12 after being postponed from 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UK is hosting the event, which is expected to attract at least 30,000 delegates from around the world to the Scottish city, including world leaders, government officials, media and activists.
The influx is expected to put significant pressure on local accommodation providers, with an estimated hotel room capacity in Greater Glasgow at around 15,000 rooms.
Amanda Cupples, Managing Director Northern Europe at Airbnb, said: “Airbnb offers a unique opportunity for communities in Glasgow and surrounding areas to be part of history at the historic COP26 conference.
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“Home sharing helps cities use existing space to increase capacity and host major events.
“It also enables residents to provide sustainable and affordable housing throughout the city, benefiting the local economy.”
Iain Gulland, CEO of Zero Waste Scotland, praised the plan.
“It’s a fantastic commitment from Airbnb,” he said.
“To truly end the climate crisis, we need to change the way we consume.
“This donation will be a big boost to the work we do in Scotland to help citizens and businesses choose more sustainable lifestyles, use the things we need and share resources. “
Airbnb is offering a £ 100 travel voucher to anyone who welcomes their first Airbnb guest to Glasgow during COP26 and plans to donate all revenue from the service fees to Zero Waste Scotland.
But there has been criticism of the cost of staying in the city for the duration of the conference, with climate justice campaigners fearing that potential attendees from poor countries – many of whom are already excluded due to travel restrictions linked to the conference. coronavirus – cannot walk. invoice.
Some Glasgow residents offered free rooms for participants to board for free.
Others take the opportunity to earn money.
A property advertised on Airbnb – a one-bedroom apartment, located on the banks of the Clyde and a short distance from COP26 at the Scottish Events Campus – offers a 12-night stay for £ 7,188.
The service charge alone is £ 1,072.
The same property costs £ 817 for the same length of stay a month later, with a service charge of £ 122.
Travel booked through the portal boosts Glasgow’s economy by £ 58million a year, and supports more than 2,800 local jobs, according to an analysis commissioned by Airbnb.
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