work with communities around the world to help promote what makes them special, for example, through a long-term commitment to rural tourism in Spain, where we launched a three-year, $50 million investment aimed at revitalising small towns and villages by supporting local businesses, restoring heritage homes, and promoting lesser-known destinations in partnership with tourism organisations. In the UK, Airbnb launched the Best of British Fund in the UK supported by VisitBritain to help communities and local businesses across the UK transform into must-do cultural experiences. In Italy, Airbnb supported UNESCO World heritage rural sites in the Italian region of Veneto. In France and the UK, we partnered with Strava to inspire rural ‘run-cations’ and shared a range of beautiful stays within trending Gen Z rural destinations Q: As a champion of travel democratisation, how does this vision guide Airbnb’s corporate responsibility initiatives and community engagement? We aim to create a platform where anyone, anywhere, can experience travel – whether it’s a short city trip, a countryside stay, or a longer month-long visit. We back initiatives that protect neighbourhoods, preserve cultural heritage, and foster inclusion. For example, Airbnb was a partner of last year’s Freedom Week in Berlin, supporting an event that aims to position Berlin as an international hub for dialogue on freedom, human rights, and democracy. Additionally, in 2020, Airbnb founded Airbnb.org, a non-profit dedicated to providing free, emergency stays in times of crisis. Over the last five years, Airbnb.org has provided free, temporary housing to more than a quarter of a million people globally, including more than 130,000 refugees from Ukraine. At ITB Berlin 2025, Airbnb welcomed a delegation of Ukrainian cities at our booth, to reaffirm our commitment to support the recovery of tourism in Ukraine after the war. Q: As ITB Berlin marks its 60th anniversary, how do you see Airbnb’s role evolving over the next 60 years? We believe in tourism that benefits everyone: guests, hosts, and the communities they call home. When we started Airbnb, the idea of inviting strangers to stay in your home was unheard of. Since then, Airbnb has fundamentally changed the way people travel and scaled globally. More than ever, we believe that travellers want more than just sightseeing. They’re seeking authentic connections with local people and cultures. That’s what Airbnb offers. We’re now expanding beyond stays and last
“Ultimately, we want to keep bringing people together in the real world”
year launched ‘Experiences’, which are activities led by local experts, and ‘Services’ like private chefs, photography and personal training. These help enhance trips for guests and offer additional economic opportunities for locals. Through stays and experiences, we’re creating meaningful connections between travellers, hosts, and local communities. Our vision for the future at Airbnb is to become much more than a place to book a home, rather a platform that offers an expanded array of services, unique experiences, and broader living solutions, creating a marketplace for travel and local life. Ultimately, we want to keep bringing people together in the real world. Q: What specific measures is Airbnb taking to promote climate-conscious travel? We’re focused on helping hosts and guests adopt more sustainable practices. Hosts are passionate about sustainability, with nearly 80% globally incorporating at least one sustainable practice into their hosting, like recycling or composting, and providing guidance on using public transit to their guests. In Germany, we partnered with green electricity provider Polarstern to make it easier and more affordable for hosts across Germany to switch to clean, certified renewable electricity. Hosts will get a discount of €300 off their annual Polarstern electricity bill from Airbnb. German guests can also access a climate contribution tool at checkout and more than 130,000 guests have already made contributions to these key partners since July 2023. We also support Community Greening initiatives designed to fund urban greening and climate resilience projects in public spaces, including “Coole Orte Hamburg”, launched in 2024 where Airbnb funded a project to green the city centre square in Hamburg over the next four years. The company also invested €500,000 in nature and climate protection initiatives during major events such as UEFA EURO 2024 and Lollapalooza Berlin 2025, supporting local partner organisations for reforestation or biodiversity.
Guests in markets including Germany are shifting to Airbnb homes in rural,
less crowded destinations
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