Airbnb has announced its support of Tiaki - Care for New Zealand, committing to educating its guests across the country to travel with respect and purpose when visiting New Zealand.
Renowned as one of the world's most beautiful and diverse travel destinations, New Zealand has a thriving community of local Airbnb hosts who open their homes to visitors from near and far.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, Airbnb has heard from their guests, Hosts, and the broader community that sustainable travel, not just in an environmental sense but economically, socially and culturally, is becoming an increasingly important consideration.
The rise of the 'conscious traveller' presents an opportunity for communities to grow their local economies off the back of the travel rebound and welcome an evolving form of win-win tourism that emphasises genuine connection and balances positive economic, environmental, cultural, community and social outcomes.
New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels there is responsible for looking after it. With this in mind, Airbnb supports Tiaki – Care for New Zealand - so everyone can care for New Zealand now and for future generations.
Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb's Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, said by following the Tiaki Promise, visitors are committing New Zealand to act as a guardian, protecting and preserving the country and positively contributing to local communities.
"Together with Tiaki, we have developed a set of principles so that Airbnb guests can help protect and enrich the incredible environment and ecosystem in New Zealand and enjoy a much deeper and conscientious experience themselves."
Airbnb wants to encourage travellers to live like locals, and what better way to make guests feel genuinely at home than by connecting them more closely to the place, people and culture of New Zealand? Tourism industry Aotearoa Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram said it was fantastic to see Airbnb providing the Tiaki message.
"As hosts of so many domestic and international visitors each year, Airbnb has a real opportunity to educate and empower visitors to act as proud guardians while travelling to Aotearoa, New Zealand."
Airbnb plans to educate Hosts and guests through various channels on these essential principles and will be encouraging all visitors to New Zealand to take the Tiaki Promise and care for Aotearoa like it's home so that no trace is left behind and future travellers can enjoy all that this incredible country has to offer.
