Green hosts guide

Project objectives

• Development of ideas for more biodiversity-friendly design, furnishing and operation of Airbnb accommodation

• Development and implementation of awareness-raising measures for hosts and guests

• Implementation of an ideas competition for the best biodiversity measures in Airbnb accommodation

• Industry transfer of the results

Making vacation accommodation more biodiversity-friendly

Biological diversity - or biodiversity - forms the basis for functioning ecosystems and habitats worth living in. It provides us with clean air, fresh water, fertile soil and food - in short, it is indispensable for our life on earth. However, biodiversity is under threat worldwide. The loss of species and habitats is progressing rapidly - not only in remote natural areas, but also right on our doorstep.

Tourism is also contributing to this loss - for example through land sealing, high resource consumption or the use of unsustainable products. At the same time, the tourism industry offers great potential to contribute to the promotion of biodiversity. Hosts can also actively contribute to the protection of nature through targeted measures in the living and outdoor areas, but also in the selection of sustainable offers and information for guests.

In this project, we are working with Airbnb hosts and biodiversity experts to develop practical ideas on how to make vacation rentals more biodiversity-friendly. The aim is to raise awareness among hosts and guests and to highlight concrete measures that are easy to implement and effective at the same time - from greening balconies and gardens to recommendations for nature-oriented excursions or sustainable gifts for guests. In this way, every accommodation can become a small place of nature conservation - with positive effects for people and the environment.

Activities in the project

The following activities are planned as part of the project:

• Development of ideas for making Airbnb accommodation more biodiversity-friendly

• Online workshop with Airbnb hosts and biodiversity experts to generate ideas for implementation

• Creation of a short guide for Airbnb hosts and guests based on the workshop results with tips for concrete measures in apartments, outdoor areas and supply chains (e.g. balcony greening, insects, etc.). (e.g. balcony greening, insect hotels, waste avoidance and separation, sustainable gifts for guests, nature-related excursion tips, etc.)

• Awareness-raising measures: Informing hosts and guests by disseminating the guidelines via various communication channels

• Ideas competition: Collection and awarding of prizes for biodiversity measures already implemented/planned by Airbnb hosts

• Industry transfer through Futouris: Publication and dissemination of project results to the tourism industry

"As a platform that connects millions of people worldwide with unique accommodation, we want to support our hosts in protecting the natural resources of our planet. With the 'Green Host Guide: Protecting Biodiversity Made Easy' project, we want to empower them to make their accommodation even more environmentally and biodiversity friendly."

- Ashleigh Gallagher, Strategic Engagement Manager DACH/CEE, Airbnb