Airbnb Seeks Five Volunteers To Restore Corals And Promote Bahamas Tourism

You know how to swim, you are not scared by scuba diving and you care about the environment? You probably correspond to the profile sought by Airbnb, which launched last week a campaign to recruit volunteers to restore the fauna and flora of the Bahamas.

The initiative, entitled “Bahamas Sabbatical” and spotted by several American media, including Business Insider, aims to send five volunteers (unpaid) to three islands in the Caribbean country that were devastated by several hurricanes last year, like Storm Dorian.

VIDEO. Bahamas devastated by Hurricane Dorian

The objective is therefore also to promote the region and help the locals to attract tourists again. And by the same to ensure a corporate image concerned with the environment and the local economy for Airbnb, sometimes controversial for the damage caused by private rental on the tourism economy.

"The Bahamas have resumed their activities, and while we are working to restore parts of the archipelago that were devastated by Hurricane Dorian, the vast majority of the place is ready to welcome visitors," said said Eric Carey, the executive director of the Bahamas National Fund, the NGO in charge of the project, in partnership with Airbnb.

Coral restoration, responsible fishing…

The trip is expected to last eight weeks and will take place between the central islands of Andros, Exumas and Eleuthera. The first task of the volunteers will be to restore the coral reefs of the Andros barrier. They will then accompany fishermen to discover responsible fishing practices for three weeks, before participating in responsible farming workshops.

Newsletter - The essentials of the news

I'm registering

Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more

The free application is possible on the company's website until February 18. Any adult, holding a passport, available between April 1 and May 31, and who can swim, can participate. Travel costs to and from the Bahamas, as well as accommodation, will be fully covered by Airbnb.

The Bahamas Sabbatical, or 2 months to immerse yourself in the Bahamian culture. Everything is included (except the swimsuit).

Apply before February 18, 2020, 11:59 p.m. (EST). Conditions apply: https://t.co/F36JbTd7R2 pic.twitter.com/POnsmcKd0U

"This experience in the Bahamas was designed to directly benefit local communities, while supporting transition initiatives towards a sustainable future," defends the hosting platform on the project site.

"To continue these efforts, we also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Tourism to promote tourism in the country via Airbnb and after the project," added Chris Lehane, vice president of communications for Airbnb. .

After Antarctica or a remote village in Italy

This awareness-raising operation - but also a well-oiled communication campaign - is not the first for the company specializing in accommodation and tourism. In 2019, she notably sent volunteers on an Antarctic research mission or to a small deserted village in Italy. Not enough of course to revolutionize the challenges on the spot - particularly by sending only 5 volunteers - but already put a spotlight on issues around the world, and ensure good publicity at low cost. Especially if the lucky little ones chosen are keen on social networks.