While Spain’s cities have grown increasingly hostile or difficult for Airbnb-style short-term holiday rentals, large parts of the country would love to get in on some of the tourism action, and Airbnb is putting up nearly €43 to help them along.
The program is aimed at attracting visitors to rural areas, much of it depopulated as cities grow, leaving behind what’s been called La España Vaciada’ (Empty Spain). The plan, part of Airbnb’s new ‘Rural Commitment Plan,’ aims to spread tourism to wider areas and promote ‘tourism decentralization.’
“The growing demand for less crowded destinations, close to nature, authentic local experiences, and greater awareness of the impact of travel, are making Spanish villages highly desirable destinations,” Airbnb said in a statement. Rural tourism in Spain has, they hope, to take on the promise shown in countries such as France.
€32.6 million of the investment will go to revitalization projects in rural localities, including financing home renovations in rural areas and creating a fund for the rehabilitation of empty houses, preserving local architectural heritage. There is also support for local business development projects and to develop local attractions.
The other €10.2 million will go for tourism promotion, for projects to encourage national and international visitors to come to the revitalized rural areas, based on themes including astrotourism and ecotourism.
According to data compiled by Airbnb, less than 1 percent of Spanish municipalities have more than 100,000 inhabitants. Around 75% of places under 10,000 there are no traditional accommodations but there are private homes that remain empty for a good part of the year and could be converted into tourist accommodation.
Photo: Vincent Delsuc / Pexels
