The policy bars direct contact with wild animals, or using them as props for selfies. "You will never find an Airbnb Experience where you can kiss a dolphin or ride an elephant."
"Ranging from afternoon tea with naughty sheep to multi-day safaris, Airbnb Animal Experiences are hosted by caring experts as an antidote to typical tourist attractions that are notorious for ethical concerns," the San Francisco-based startup said. "We know people love animals and want to see and experience them when they travel, but we also know they most want to see animals in a setting that respects their well-being," said World Animal Protection executive director Alesia Soltanpanah.Īn Airbnb animal welfare policy created with input from the NGO is intended to make sure the creatures are safeguarded while humans visit their worlds, Soltanpanah said. The new nature-focused category of experiences is intended to provide customers with better understanding of animals while maintaining a high standard for environmentally friendly tourism.Įxperiences offered included paddle-boarding with corgis, kayaking with conservationists, buzzing about with urban beekeepers, watching arctic foxes and rescuing puppies lost in the 30-kilometer (19-mile) Chernobyl exclusion zone. "Life is better with animals, but for many busy people, looking at them through a screen is the closest they can get."
"With technology taking up so much of our lives, it's easy to feel disconnected from nature and animals," Airbnb co-founder and chief executive Brian Chesky said during a presentation in New York. The startup expanded beyond home-sharing services about three years ago into offering ways for travelers to dive into local happenings.Īirbnb has built a line-up of "experiences," in which lodging comes with conduits to local cuisine, arts, music, outdoor adventures and even socially-minded activities.Īnimal Experiences promises travelers getaways that could allow them to engage with many kinds of creatures and their "human advocates" - and ways that might help, instead of harm, nature.
Airbnb on Thursday began offering "Animal Experiences" - promising harmony with nature, from lazing with alpacas to helping dogs struggling to survive in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
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