Airbnb: These five platforms offer sustainable alternatives

Booking a private accommodation instead of a hotel room is now widespread, especially through platforms like Airbnb. However, the business model has its downsides: In many cities, vacation rental providers drive up rents, worsening housing shortages and increasingly driving locals out of the market. 'Tourists go home' graffiti and anti-tourism demonstrations are no longer uncommon in hotspots such as Barcelona, Mallorca, or Tenerife.

On orders from the Spanish government, Airbnb had to remove tens of thousands of its listings from the platform. Barcelona even plans to ban vacation rentals entirely by the end of 2028. But the problem is not only limited to Spain: Cities like Venice, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome face similar challenges and are taking action themselves.

If you want to travel responsibly, you should also be aware of the impact of your accommodation choice and consider alternatives to Airbnb, Booking, etc. We present the best sustainable booking platforms.

A promising alternative is the platform Fairbnb. Unlike Airbnb, Fairbnb donates half of its service fees to local social projects. The focus is on sustainable, responsible tourism, benefiting not only travelers but the local community as well.

Currently, Fairbnb accommodations are available in countries such as Portugal, Italy, Spain, the Canary Islands, France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. In other countries, Fairbnb is still in its early stages. There are currently only a handful of accommodations in cities like Vienna, Munich, Berlin, and Amsterdam.

If sustainability is a priority for your travels, Ecobnb might be the right booking platform for you, as it focuses on eco-friendly accommodations in 55 countries. Each listing is evaluated according to ten sustainability criteria, and users can filter by location (by the water, in the mountains, or in the city). Another bonus: A tree is planted for every booking.

While it is not a typical booking platform, with BeWelcome, you have the opportunity to experience a travel destination in an especially authentic way. You stay directly with locals, gaining insights into the daily life of your hosts, much like couchsurfing. The platform is operated by the non-profit BeVolunteer initiative, registered in France. The website is volunteer-organized, donation-based, and non-commercial.

Do you want your vacation to leave a positive social footprint? Then the German platform Socialbnb might be worth a look. It offers accommodations from 45 countries. The providers are not companies or individuals, but local NGOs (non-governmental organizations).

This means that with your booking, you can support, for example, the construction of a school or animal welfare projects. At the same time, you can be actively involved in the initiatives during your stay, such as participating in a whale research expedition or experiencing sustainable agriculture.

If you're looking for a vacation rental in nature but don't want to book through the big platforms, Naturhäuschen is a good alternative. The Dutch family business mediates private vacation homes in Europe, including treehouses, tiny houses, or yurts. A portion of the revenue also flows into conservation projects.

If the alternatives mentioned aren't for you or if none of these accommodations are available at your travel destination, there's nothing wrong with booking through well-known platforms like Airbnb, Booking, or Interhome. If you keep a few things in mind, you can avoid private providers who are solely focused on profit:

What do travelers need to know right now? Find all important news for your vacation at bettercities.net.