Airbnb focuses on creating micro entrepreneurships in tourism to infuse growth in rural economies’

Airbnb promotes micro entrepreneurship in Indian tourism, supporting local communities and rural economies through partnerships with state governments.

Airbnb, a California-based online marketplace for holiday destinations and homestays experiences, claimed it was actively encouraging micro entrepreneurship in tourism to support local communities that comprise homeowners, self-help groups, rural artisans, local grocers, local restaurants, and other grassroots-level cohorts with a view to support the overall growth of rural economies in India.

Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head for India & Southeast Asia told The Hindu: “Our aim is to promote underserved areas and build capacity in tourism in India. By doing these we are trying to encourage the local communities, touching all stakeholders including the grass roots level players. This will trigger significant growth of local economies in the country.’‘

To this end, Airbnb is now working with various state governments including Goa, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, and also in the process of exploring similar collaborations with many other states.

In Goa, Airbnb, in partnership with the state Tourism Department has opened an entrepreneurship academy and trained over 50 micro entrepreneurs so far.

“These training sessions are for homestay entrepreneurs, students of hospitality and others who are connected to the industry. Our aim is to educate them about opportunities in micro entrepreneurship, digital marketing, branding, use of technologies and overall skilling and creation of a pool of better skilled micro entrepreneurs,’‘ he said.

Earlier, Mr. Bajaj said Airbnb, in the last close to a decade, has witnessed robust growth across all segments of tourism in India.

On markets, he said, Airbnb’s dometic travel business grew 30% in the last three quarters of calendar 2024 over the corresponding period in the previous year. ``This growth was primary driven by GenZ and Millennials cohorts each contributing 30% each.’‘‘