Hosts play an important role in creating a more connected wo...
Latest reply
Hosts play an important role in creating a more connected world, especially during a particularly lonely time. This series ex...
Latest reply
Hosts play an important role in creating a more connected world, especially during a particularly lonely time. This series explores how Hosts can help revitalize places. Host Advisory Board members Claudia from Italy, Marielle from France, and Rie from Japan share their perspectives. Learn more about the Host Advisory Board.
I grew up in central Japan and enjoyed backpacking in my youth. When I was 29, I moved to a small village in Okinawa and raised my three children in this beach resort area on the southern tip of Japan.
In my 30s, I was so introverted that I refused to use a smartphone. I was astonished when I learned about Airbnb through a friend. This single app solved so many challenges of travel, from finding accommodations and reading guidebooks to making payments and messaging with the Host. I began hosting a home on Airbnb when I was 42.
Like many beach resort towns around the world, Okinawa is home to large hotels and resorts. In my opinion, this can make it more difficult to provide authentic accommodations and experiences. For example, students on educational homestays often stay in properties run by outside investors, which may lead to fewer interactions with locals than if they were staying with members of the community.
For the past three years, I’ve been working on our village office staff to develop a guide training program and help both Airbnb as a company and Airbnb Hosts better integrate into our community. We believe that local Hosts with deep roots in the community can offer real immersion.
In 2023, I organized a village tour with visitors from urban areas. I shared the village sanctuaries, pristine beaches, and the emotions contained in them. Participants interacted with locals to find digital stamps along the way.
We got great feedback. One person called it “an unforgettable experience,” and another is considering moving here. When you’re dealing with a hotelier, there’s a service provider and a service recipient. When you’re guided by an Airbnb Host, it’s more personal, and on a much smaller scale. That’s what I love about it.
I firmly believe that we can nurture civic pride among the young residents of our village by helping them recognize the value of their home. I think that hosting on Airbnb can instill in them the courage to revitalize and thrive in their hometowns, and their horizons will be broadened by the new perspectives their guests bring.
My village is a typical beach resort that lacks originality. Through Airbnb, I believe we can attract visitors interested in staying with locals and enjoying authentic experiences.
Read Claudia and Marielle’s articles here:
- Creating connections for young travelers in rural Italy
- Uniting locals and tourists in a French village
Do you have similar experiences to share? How do you think your actions as a Host can impact regrowth?
