Airbnb wants to be a strong ally for emptied Spain. The vacation rental platform is looking for a partner to implement its Airbnb Rural Commitment program 2026–2029, focused on the promotion of new tourist destinations, the granting of aid to local commerce and the development of revitalization projects for localities in rural areas.
The company has launched a Request for Proposals to, as indicated on its website, select an entity that will act as the Main Project Manager and specialized Technical Secretariat and, therefore, will be responsible for the comprehensive, operational, technical, administrative and financial coordination of the program.
The program has a budget of 50 million dollars over three years
Airbnb’s rural commitment in Spain is an exclusive action plan for our country with a budget of 50 million dollars over three years to promote more distributed tourism and with which it hopes to generate direct economic benefit in local communities. It was presented last November.
The company has focused on the rural environment of our country in recent years as regional governments have increased scrutiny and tightened regulations on tourist accommodation, especially in large cities, and the disaffection of some destinations in our country towards tourism and tourists has grown.
Through the call now launched, the platform aims to select an external entity that leads the execution of rural regeneration projects, manages investments and supervises the local impact. It must also ensure transparency and regulatory compliance in all phases of the program.
“Companies with experience in territorial development, in organizing many different actors, and in making large and complex projects turn out well can apply.“, commented Sara Rodríguez, Director of Public Policies at Airbnb in Spain, a few weeks ago through LinkedIn. “We are looking for people convinced that things can change”.
The company has specified the selection criteria on its website. In this sense, candidate entities must have at least 5 years of experience managing complex and multi-territorial programs; have managed at least 2 projects with a budget of more than five million euros each; and have experience in rural development, tourism, heritage, housing or public funds.
The company must have operational capacity in Spain and with regard to accreditation of economic solvency, the minimum business volume must be two million annually. In addition, the minimum team for the development of the work will be one made up of the Program Director, territorial coordination, finances, community participation, documentary specialist and administrative technician. It must also have infrastructure for reporting, financial control and document management.
Entities interested in participating in the call must fill out a form with basic company information, as well as the proposal to achieve the objectives set by Airbnb in its program.
Airbnb’s commitment
The company’s Rural Commitment program seeks to take advantage of the potential of the platform to disperse tourism in Spain and promote the economic development of communities, the deseasonalization of tourism and the revitalization of rural areas. This will be carried out mainly through collaboration with the local community and promotion.
Thus, the budget of 50 million dollars will be distributed with 38 million for rural action, that is, the implementation of revitalization projects; and with 12 million for rural promotion, that is, the development of strategic marketing to encourage the arrival of national and international visitors to rural ranches.
Airbnb will promote the renovation and rehabilitation of homes in rural areas
Rural action will be worked on by financing housing renovations in rural areas and creating a fund for the rehabilitation of empty houses; local business development projects and financial support for small businesses; the conditioning of places and centers of high heritage, cultural and natural value; and the financing of innovative tourism projects, including new accommodation and experiences.
For its part, rural promotion will be worked through strategic collaborations with local entities, such as the Magical Towns of Spain association: the promotion of astrotourism – Spain prepares for the Trio of Eclipses 2026-2028 – through the Starlight Foundation; and the alliance with associations that promote rural development, such as the Spanish Rural Development Network (REDR), the Association of Families and Women in Rural Areas (AFAMMER), or the Spanish Society of Ornithology.
