AFTER almost a year of intermittent travel restrictions, Airbnb, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), and Guyana are collaborating to amplify the country’s recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 by promoting responsible travel to the destination across Airbnb’s vast global community.

As part of this alliance, Airbnb and the CTO are launching a campaign leveraging Airbnb’s robust media platforms to market Guyana and other CTO member countries to millions of engaged Airbnb users.

The campaign rollout includes a series of email newsletters, a landing page, and ads on social media showcasing Airbnb listings in Guyana, as well as the existing protocols for safe travel during this time. The promotional landing page for this partnership will be unique to others worldwide. It will integrate multiple CTO member countries, promote homes in each destination, and links to each country’s website.

Airbnb has also pledged to share data with the CTO, including travel trends, to facilitate informed marketing decisions during this recovery period.

“COVID-19 greatly impacted our travelling world but it reinforced our approach to sustainable destination management and marketing, which are focussed on nature and adventure-based experiences, community-led and owned tourism (CLOT) enterprise development, and our rich culture and heritage.

“By nature of design, Guyana is uniquely positioned as a safe destination for post-COVID travel. Our vast open spaces and small group tours lend to a more intimate travel experience you can take part in — go horseback riding in the Rupununi savannahs; visit our national icon — Kaieteur National Park — and have one of the world’s tallest and most powerful waterfalls all to yourself; go bird watching or learn about one of our many conservation projects. Over the past months, Guyana’s tourism businesses have been putting systems in place that make it a safe destination for travellers.  This is to ensure the health and well-being of our guests and communities through stringent hygiene and sanitation protocols, inspection process and listing as approved businesses as ‘Safe for Travel,’” said Carla James, Director of Tourism. This joint undertaking with the CTO builds on Airbnb’s commitment to help strengthen communities in the Caribbean in tough times.

“With the Caribbean continuing to re-open, we’re helping to usher in the safe return of travel to this wonderful region by shining a light on the many places to see and things to do,” stated Carlos Munoz, Airbnb Policy Manager for Central America and the Caribbean. “We’re also excited to promote the important economic impact driven by hosting on Airbnb.”

This partnership is one of the many initiatives in the CTO’s ongoing programme to help its members rebuild tourism in their destinations. “The partnership with Airbnb will help us to promote the region responsibly by providing our members with a platform to showcase their destinations while at the same time highlighting the health safety measures that each has implemented to ensure that visitors can enjoy a safe Caribbean experience during this time,” shared Neil Walters, acting Secretary-General of the CTO.

This partnership joins previously announced collaborations with organisations, including the Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), the National Parks Foundation, and Bermuda Tourism Authority.