Two previously unlikely bedfellows are getting together in Vancouver to change how tourists experience our city.
Tourism Vancouver has signed a first-of-its-kind agreement in Canada with Airbnb to promote the city to travellers on its platform.
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While the hotel-centric tourism org has in the past kept short-term rental businesses like Airbnb at arm's length, the two will both be working with each other to tout the awesomeness of Vancouver on their various platforms.
“This partnership is an important milestone for both organizations as we work to meet the growing needs of global travellers to our region,” said Ty Speer, CEO, Tourism Vancouver.
It's hard to ignore how large a sector the Airbnb user among Vancouver's tourists. In 2017 more than 400,000 guests travelled to Vancouver on the Airbnb platform, resulting in $425 million of local economic activity.
The difference, however, is that many of those travellers are outside the downtown core, and experiencing the city in a different way. Tourism Vancouver wants to reach those visitors and provide the opportunity to enjoy the full depth and breadth of Vancouver’s vibrant neighbourhoods and businesses.
On their end, Airbnb will work with Tourism Vancouver to get even more traveller-friendly units on the market for visitors.
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“Airbnb is thrilled to be working with Tourism Vancouver to further build Vancouver’s profile as a global destination,” said Alex Dagg, Director of Public Policy for Airbnb Canada.
Naturally, the two parties will share data with each other and work together on marketing endeavours.
