Airbnb Launches ‘Healthy Tourism’ Initiative

Online accommodation platform major Airbnb today said it has launched the ‘Office of Healthy Tourism’, a global initiative to drive local, authentic and sustainable tourism in countries across the globe.

The company also announced the creation of its new Tourism Advisory Board which will comprise travel industry leaders from around the world, Airbnb said in a statement.

“With travel and tourism growing faster than most of the rest of economy, it is critical that as many people as possible are benefiting - and right now not all tourism is created equal,” Airbnb Global Head of Policy and Communications Chris Lehane said.

To democratise the benefits of travel, Airbnb offers a healthy alternative to the mass travel that has plagued cities for decades, he added.

The company has already embarked on a number of initiatives to promote Healthy Tourism around the world. In India, the company’s efforts have focused on promoting tourism in areas that have not traditionally benefited from tourism and hospitality, Airbnb said.

Founded in 2008, Airbnb accommodation marketplace offers access to millions of places to stay in more than 191 countries.