Skip to main content
European Union flag
EU Proximity and Social Economy Platform

Fairbnb.coop: Redefining Tourism for Sustainability and Community

Best practices

19 December 2024

Fairbnb.coop: Redefining Tourism for Sustainability and Community

Regenerative Green Transition

Transformative Digital Transition

Urban and Rural Wellbeing

+16 more

Login / create an account to be able to react

Fairbnb.coop offers a sustainable alternative to conventional short-term rental platforms by prioritising people over profit. It reinvests 50% of its fees into local community projects, combating the negative impacts of tourism like gentrification and environmental harm. As a cooperative, it champions ethical travel, transparency, and inclusivity, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Authors

Editorial Team: Diesis

Topics
Geographical descriptors

EU-27

Organisation Type

International Organisations

Local authorities

Media/Travel Journalist Organisations

National authorities

Networks and Federations / Confederations

NGOs / Non-profits

Regional authorities

SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)

  • Thematic area

    • Regenerative Green Transition

    • Transformative Digital Transition

    • Urban and Rural Wellbeing

  • Interlinkages with other sectors

    • Digital

    • Tourism

  • Action areas and keywords

    • Digital Platforms

    • Digital social innovation

    • Innovation as enabler for green transition and business development in the social economy

    • Local Green Deals, green business communities and citizens’ initiatives

    • Local Markets

    • New business models – the platform economy

    • Socially oriented territorial regeneration

    • Supporting Digital Social Innovation & Tech for Good entrepreneurship

    • Tech for Good

  • Ecosystem focus

    • Social economy

  • Scope of activity

    • International

    • Local/neighbourhood

    • National

    • Regional

Share

Fairbnb.coop was created to tackle the negative impacts of mass tourism, such as gentrification, rising housing costs, and the loss of community identity. While tourism offers opportunities for cultural exchange and economic growth, it often comes at a high cost for local communities. Fairbnb.coop seeks to preserve the benefits of tourism while minimizing its drawbacks. It currently operates across various cities and regions in Europe and North America.

As a cooperative of activists, coders, and designers, Fairbnb.coop prioritises people over profit. Its platform allows travelers to connect with local hosts while ensuring that 50% of its commissions are reinvested in community-driven projects, such as food co-ops, urban gardens, and renewable energy initiatives. By aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it fosters ethical and sustainable tourism that supports local economies and social well-being.

Mass tourism has led to significant challenges, including skyrocketing real estate prices, fragmented communities, and environmental degradation. Unlike other platforms, Fairbnb.coop collaborates with local authorities, verifies listings, and excludes large real estate investors to promote fair regulation and protect residents.

The results of this approach have been transformative. In Porto and Genoa for example, projects redistribute food waste to vulnerable families, contributing to the SDG of Zero Hunger. In Amsterdam, immigrant women are empowered through urban gardening initiatives, supporting gender equality. In Liguria, renewable energy projects from waste biomass align with Affordable and Clean Energy goals.

Despite its success, challenges remain. Balancing growth while upholding ethical principles, complying with diverse local regulations, and spreading awareness about sustainable tourism require an ongoing effort. At the same time these hurdles also highlight the importance of partnerships and community engagement.

Looking ahead, Fairbnb.coop aims to expand its platform, enhance its fairUP® initiative for authentic local activities, and continue promoting a regenerative tourism model that puts people and communities first. By rethinking tourism, Fairbnb.coop ensures every journey creates a positive impact. 

No votes yet

Comments (0)

Login / create an account to be able to comment

See also

-
  • Articles
  • 19 Feb 2025

Financing the Ecosystem Recap: December – January

As we wrap up the past two months, several key developments have shaped the discourse around social and proximity economy initiatives, innovative financing, and sustainability...
Categories
Partnerships Regenerative Green Transition Skills +68 more