Airbnb Co-Founder Highlights the Role of Nature Tourism at ITB Berlin 2026 - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Nature tourism is gaining momentum across Europe, prompting ITB Berlin to form a Premium Partnership with Airbnb for the first time. The collaboration aims to highlight the potential of nature stays and their contribution to rural development. At the ITB Berlin Convention 2026, taking place from 3 to 5 March at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, Airbnb co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Nathan Blecharczyk will speak about the company’s commitment to rural regions and the importance of managing tourism flows sustainably.

A joint focus on sustainable travel

The partnership between the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show and Airbnb is designed to foster dialogue on the future of sustainable tourism. At ITB Berlin 2026, the two partners will emphasize why targeted tourism flow management is essential to protect natural environments while ensuring long-term economic benefits for local communities.

“On our sixtieth anniversary we are delighted to welcome Airbnb as the Premium Partner of ITB Berlin 2026,” said Deborah Rothe, Director of ITB Berlin. “ITB Berlin reflects the diversity of international tourism and provides a central platform for global thought leaders at the ITB Berlin Convention. Together with Airbnb, we want to actively shape this dialogue and continue to advance sustainable, responsible travel in the future.”

Airbnb’s perspective on rural regions

Nathan Blecharczyk, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Airbnb, underlined the company’s long-standing role in encouraging travel beyond traditional hotspots. “Airbnb has long been a catalyst for helping travelers discover places outside of typical tourist hot spots. With more Germans traveling to explore the country’s beautiful natural features, Airbnb is proud that we can help visitors discover new communities and redistribute visitor spending to businesses and hosts throughout Germany. We look forward to sharing how nature tourism will play a key role in the future of travel at ITB Berlin,” he said.

Speaker appearance and convention activities

Nathan Blecharczyk will appear at the ITB Berlin Convention on 3 March at 2:00 PM on the Orange Stage, where he will discuss how Airbnb and rural tourism represent a key pathway for the future of travel in Europe, with nature tourism playing a leading role in Germany. In addition, Airbnb will place a strong focus on nature travel at its booth in Hall 9, Booth 319, and within the conference program. Contributions will include insights from Kathrin Anselm, Country Manager Central and Eastern Europe, and Ellen Madeker, Head of Public Policy Central and Eastern Europe. Beyond the convention, the partners plan joint communication activities on sustainable tourism, responsibility in travel and future-oriented tourism models.

Strengthening rural areas through nature tourism

In Germany, a growing number of Airbnb guests are choosing nature over cities, often staying in rural communities close to mountains, forests and coastlines. This trend is driven largely by Gen Z travelers seeking to disconnect from technology and travel in a more authentic and affordable way. With limited hotel infrastructure in many rural regions, Airbnb has become a primary platform for nature stays.

Across Europe, nights spent in rural Airbnb accommodations increased by 88 percent between 2019 and 2024. As families increasingly opt for less crowded destinations, this shift helps ease pressure on established tourist hotspots while spreading tourism-related income to local businesses and smaller communities. Airbnb’s host community now includes more than five million hosts worldwide. In Germany, 30 percent of hosts say they rent out their homes to finance renovations, highlighting the platform’s role as a flexible source of income in both urban and rural settings.

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