The San Francisco company originally partnered with the Italian city of Civita in 2016, and now is partnering with Grottole (via nonprofit Wonder Grottole) to help revitalize the city. โWe will find every way possible to support sustainable tourism, and give visibility to these rural areas.โ
Airbnbโs arrangement with Grottole is that the company provides funding for the city to buy three buildings to convert them to a new community center, owned by the city. It will also fund the sabbatical and local housing for four people (who agree to host Airbnbโs โexperiencesโโeducational classes and events hosted by locals) and, of course, generate lots of press for the city to encourage more tourism in the future.
https://www.fastcompany.com/3062246/an-exclusive-look-at-airbnbs-first-foray-into-urban-planning
https://www.fastcompany.com/90169710/lessons-from-airbnbs-first-foray-into-urban-renewal