Airbnb has revealed plans for its Entrepreneurship Academy to collaborate with more than 30 organizations in 2024, aiming to broaden hosting opportunities for diverse and historically underrepresented communities. The initiative seeks to familiarize these communities with the Airbnb platform, thereby offering them economic prospects.
Among the partners are the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) in the US, UNESCO and the World Wildlife Fund in Mexico, Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, India's Global Himalayan Expedition, as well as South Africa's Central University of Technology, Free State, and the University of Johannesburg. With financial support from Airbnb and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, these entities will conduct Academies to facilitate hosting opportunities for marginalized communities. According to an Airbnb press release, since its inception in 2017, the academy has introduced over 4,500 individuals to hosting on Airbnb.
Through its Entrepreneurship Academy, Airbnb collaborates with a variety of local organizations including nonprofit entities, academic institutions, destination marketing organizations, development banks, governments, small businesses and small business centers. As stated on the Entrepreneurship Academy webpage provided by Airbnb, these partners collectively develop customized educational programs aimed at guiding participants on how to become entrepreneurs by using their spare rooms or properties as additional income sources on Airbnb. Participants gain firsthand knowledge from Superhosts who share specific tips and crucial information about initiating and thriving on the platform.
Founded in 2007, Airbnb boasts a network of over five million hosts who have welcomed more than 1.5 billion guests across almost every country worldwide. Hosts offer stays and experiences that foster connections between guests and communities globally. As per information on the About webpage provided by Airbnb as of December 31st 2023 , there were over 7.7 million active listings in approximately 100,000 cities and towns across 220 countries and regions.