Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy
Empowering the next generation of tourism entrepreneurs
At Airbnb, we believe tourism can be a force for good, and we want to do our part to give more people an opportunity to benefit. The Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy helps people, including those from diverse and historically underrepresented communities, learn how they can benefit from local tourism happening in the places they call home.
How it works
Airbnb partners with local organizations to craft an immersive education program that introduces participants to the potential of tourism entrepreneurship—including hosting on Airbnb.
Non-profit organization
Academic institutions
Destination Marketing Organizations
Development banks
Governments
Small businesses & small business centers
The story so far
The program began in South Africa in 2017 to help support education in hospitality and technology for residents from under-resourced communities and rural areas. Given its success, we have expanded the program to more communities across the globe with active Academies in Kenya, Thailand, Colombia, the United States, and more. In 2020, the World Tourism Alliance (WTA) recognized the Academy for Best Practice in Poverty Alleviation Through Tourism.
Meet Academy Participants
Meet Academy Participants
Academies Around The World
Academies Around The World
The Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academies introduce hosting and entrepreneurship to diverse communities across the globe in partnership with local organizations. The curriculum focuses on entrepreneurship and experiential learning, fostering community connection and providing a pathway to hosting with confidence.
United States
In 2021, we partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina to bring the Academy to the US. We now partner with nonprofits, academic institutions and government bodies in urban and rural areas across the country. Some of our partners include the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, the Center for Black Innovation and other community- based organizations focused on entrepreneurship, education and wealth building in diverse communities. Learn more
India
We partner with the Self Employed Women’s Association of India, a trade union with over 2 million women members across the country, to provide educational opportunities for rural women to become Hosts on Airbnb. Learn more.
We are also partnering with SHEROES, the world’s largest social media platform for women, to empower Indian women to become Hosts and earn an income on Airbnb. Learn more.
South Africa
Since 2017, we have partnered with academic institutions like the University of Johannesburg, local government agencies such as The Waterberg District Municipality and development organizations like Africa!Ignite and Relay Institute. Together with partners, we have delivered 24 in-person sessions to empower over 500 women and youth from 36 rural and underserved communities to access the Airbnb platform. Learn More
Kenya
Since 2019, in partnership with The Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda, the Academy has delivered 5 Academy bootcamps, supporting over 120 tourism entrepreneurs from rural, urban and coastal communities in Nairobi, Kilifi and Kisumu Counties. Through this ongoing partnership, Airbnb helps to support a growing community of Kenyan hosts - many of whom are women and youth. Learn more
Mexico
We partnered with UNESCO to help entrepreneurs develop authentic cultural experiences that represent Mexico City’s unique, cultural and creative traditions across many diverse neighborhoods.Learn more
Australia
We partner with Australian Rural Tourism to provide resources to help farmers in rural communities embrace the opportunities of agritourism. Learn more
Colombia
We partnered with Pontificia Universidad Javeriana to create the Women Empowerment Innovation program, an innovation hub to support female entrepreneurs in Colombia. Learn more
Thailand
We partnered with the Community Development Department and the Government Savings Bank to promote community tourism in different parts of Thailand. Learn more
China
We launched the China Host Empowerment Learning Hub, a content center including a rural empowerment curriculum, textbook and online training system in collaboration with 9 organizations and institutions.
South Korea
We partnered with Sejong University and Kyunghee University to provide a scholarship course for students, selected from a school-wide essay competition.
To learn more about the Academy, please reach out to airbnb-academy@airbnb.com
To see upcoming Academy opportunities in the United States, please visit the US Academy Hub