Airbnb, World Bank Group partner to boost rural tourism

Community-driven hospitality company Airbnb on Wednesday announced partnership with World Bank Group with an aim to boost rural tourism.

Airbnb and the World Bank Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner in boosting developing economies through tourism at the Tourism Knowledge Exchange 2017 here with the theme of 'Delivering on Inclusion Through Tourism', read a statement.

Through the agreement, they will examine ways in which emerging destinations use new technology and platforms to create economic opportunities for communities that have not benefited from tourism and hospitality.

The two organisations will also share information on the current scale of alternative accommodation options and home-sharing across several countries, beginning with pilot projects in Sri Lanka and India. They will apply lessons learned before rolling out the initiative to other countries.

"We are excited to partner with the World Bank Group to study the development impacts of home-sharing and pilot projects in emerging tourist destinations," said Clark Stevens, Director, Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Airbnb.

--IANS

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