Airbnb announces first tourism body membership in Denmark

Sharing economy giant to work with VisitAarhus to promote city across world

Airbnb has confirmed its first official tourism body membership in Denmark with VisitAarhus.

Under the terms of the membership, Airbnb and VisitAarhus will work together to “empower Airbnb hosts to become true ambassadors of the city, and to promote Aarhus across the world as a unique travel destination,” said the partners.

According to Airbnb, Aarhus has always been a special city for them. Airbnb participated in the Sharing Economy Festival in Aarhus, organised a merchant walk where hosts recommended to their guests their favourite places in the neighbourhood, and organised several meet-ups with hosts on Airbnb to exchange hospitality practices.

Under the new partnership, Airbnb and VisitAarhus will join forces to boost the attractiveness of Aarhus and exchange insights about travel trends and the sharing economy.

A report published in January last year revealed hosts on Airbnb in Aarhus welcomed over 60,000 visitors, which resulted in a combined income of 47 million DKK for Aarhus hosts on Airbnb. The typical host in Aarhus earned an additional 10,500 DKK by sharing their space for 20 nights per year.

Peer H Kristensen, executive director of VisitAarhus, said: “In Aarhus, we have great ambitions for the city and its tourism and our goal is to double the number of guest nights from one to two million by 2025.

“We believe home sharing is a positive and necessary contribution to that aim and it lies deep in the DNA of VisitAarhus to embrace innovation and use it constructively to benefit tourism.

“Through this collaboration we will gain valuable insights into the business and the guests Airbnb helps to attract. Given the value of Airbnb to Aarhus it is important we work together in the same way we cooperate with all other actors in the city’s tourism industry.”

Mayor of Aarhus Jacob Bundsgaard said: “We welcome Airbnb as an engaged member of the community that collaborates on marketing the city, along with all the other large hotels and attractions.

“This partnership will contribute to the continued growth of tourism in Aarhus in coming years, and is the expression of an active, forward-looking approach to the new reality of tourism in today’s world.

“I am looking forward to continuing the positive dialogue that will ensure that Airbnb remains a positive force for growth and development in Aarhus.”

Pieter Guldemond, public policy manager of Netherlands & Nordics at Airbnb, added: “Airbnb’s people-to-people travel is attracting more and more guests to Aarhus and is generating new revenue streams for local families and communities.

“We are delighted to be working with VisitAarhus on this pioneering collaboration to help promote the best of this beautiful city and its people to the world.

“Airbnb is partnering with tourism organisations and governments across the world and while this is our first collaboration with an official tourism organisation in Denmark, we look forward to working with more stakeholders across Denmark to help spread tourism benefits.”