Important points
- Since its founding in 2017, the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy has introduced more than 4,500 people from diverse and underrepresented communities to hosting on Airbnb.
- In 2024, the Academy will partner with more than 30 organizations to help more communities access economic opportunities in hosting.
2023 was the most dispersed year for travel, with Airbnb guests visiting more than 100,000 cities and towns in more than 200 countries and territories. As guests continue to explore new destinations, more people than ever have the opportunity to enjoy the economic benefits of home sharing. In the United States alone, the host earns more than $24 billion in extra income in his 2023 year to help make ends meet, save for retirement, and pay his mortgage.
In 2017, we launched the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy to help communities around the world benefit from tourism. The Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy introduces people from historically underrepresented and diverse communities to hosting on our platform. Through the Academy, we work with local organizations to develop customized educational programs that help participants learn how to become entrepreneurs by turning their spare rooms or real estate into additional sources of funding on Airbnb. doing.
Since its founding in 2017, the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy has helped more than 4,500 participants from diverse and underrepresented communities in 12 countries learn how to host on Airbnb.
2024 Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy Expansion
In 2024, we will continue to scale the Academy in partnership with more than 30 organizations, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) in the United States, UNESCO in Mexico and the World Wildlife Fund. . Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Global Himalayan Expeditions of India, Free State Central Institute of Technology and University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Each of these partners shares our commitment to empowering diverse and underrepresented communities through the tourism economy. Airbnb and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center will provide funding for these organizations to support existing entrepreneurship programs and host academies to help the communities they serve unlock economic opportunities for hosting. I am.
Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy in action
As part of the Academy, participants will hear directly from Superhosts who will share tips and helpful information on how to start and succeed with Airbnb. People also learn about our platform and tools that help them build wealth, grow their businesses, and support inclusive tourism.
Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy helped me launch the “Amazing Zulu Village Experience” on Airbnb and provided a lifeline when all seemed lost. Since becoming an Airbnb host, my confidence and self-esteem have been restored and I am able to proactively take care of my family’s needs with pride and dignity. Additionally, hosting on Airbnb has helped my family and I understand the importance of relationships and compassion, strengthening our bonds and reaffirming our commitment to supporting each other with love and empathy. Academy attendees from Zamani, Mpembeni, South Africa
As a participant in the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy program, I have experienced a transformational journey that goes beyond business. Not only has it impacted my life by giving me the skills to succeed in the hospitality industry, but it has also created jobs in my local community. The program’s commitment to fostering connections and community growth is a reminder that Airbnb is different from other travel companies. This is a platform that values ​​authentic human experiences, and I’m proud to be a part of this extraordinary initiative. Willa, Academy attendee from Bali, Indonesia
Thanks to the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy sessions organized by UNESCO and Cox Mayab, I discovered a treasure trove of possibilities within my own heritage. I learned everything from cultural preservation to technology practices in tourism. Since joining the Academy, I have been able to further evolve the experiences we offer in our hidden cenotes and lush jungles, and educate our guests about our heritage and sustainability. The response has been amazing – guests come not just for the adventure, but for the stories and relationships I provide. It gives me great pride to see my passion unfold as a gateway to show the authenticity and wonder of Yucatan to the world. Rafa, Academy attendee from Yucatan, Mexico
The partnership between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy has been a transformative journey for me as an Indigenous entrepreneur living in a rural community. Through the Academy, I not only gained the knowledge and skills to become an Airbnb Superhost, but also was able to unleash my true entrepreneurial potential. This partnership has provided me with the tools, resources, and support to showcase the beauty of my Cherokee heritage to those who choose to visit. This has allowed me to build a thriving business that not only benefits myself, but also fosters economic growth within my community. Melody, Academy attendee from North Carolina, USA
By expanding the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, we aim to help more communities tap into the benefits of tourism in the places they call home. Learn more about Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests into their San Francisco homes and has since grown to more than 5 million hosts and more than 1.5 billion guests in nearly every country around the world. I have come to welcome you. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that allow guests to connect with the community in a more authentic way.
About Airbnb.org
Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing temporary accommodation during times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org is independently operated and uses Airbnb, Inc. technology, services, and other resources free of charge to carry out Airbnb.org’s charitable purposes. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began with a single host named Shell who opened her home to those affected by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. This sparked a movement and the beginning of a program that allows Airbnb hosts to provide stays to people when they need them. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and help provide accommodation for evacuees, aid workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and front-line workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. I did. Since then, the host has offered to open his home and he has helped provide accommodation to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for his Airbnb.org-supported stays on its platform.
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