Accommodation giant Airbnb is providing $70,000 in funding for a new Australian Regional Tourism (ART) platform to help rural communities develop “world class farmstays”.

The system will be available on ART's online The Tourism Hub portal, providing hands-on agritourism workshops to help regional communities diversify their local economies and build sustainable tourism.

ART Chair Coralie Bell said “this partnership comes at a critical time for regional Australia, and firmly demonstrates Airbnb's commitment to regional tourism”.

Airbnb spokesman Derek Nolan said the initiative was a long term investment in the capacity of regional operators which will “help the bush bounce back”. “Our guests are always looking for unique experiences that take them off the well-beaten path and give them a true sense of Australia beyond the big cities,” he said, with the partnership being showcased now at airbnb.com.au

Source: Destination North Coast