Airbnb: These Five Platforms Offer Sustainable Alternatives

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

By order of the Spanish government, Airbnb had to remove tens of thousands of its listings from the platform. Barcelona even plans to completely ban vacation rentals by the end of 2028. But the problem is not unique to Spain: cities like Venice, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome face similar challenges and are taking their own measures.

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

A promising alternative is the platform Fairbnb. Unlike Airbnb, Fairbnb directs half of the commission fees to local social projects. The focus is on sustainable, responsible tourism that benefits not only travelers but also the local community.

Currently, Fairbnb offers accommodations in the following countries: Portugal, Italy, Spain and the Canary Islands, France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. In other countries, Fairbnb is still in its early stages. Currently, there are only a handful of accommodations in Vienna, Munich, Berlin, and Amsterdam.

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

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

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

This means with your booking, you can support, for example, the construction of a school or wildlife protection projects. At the same time, you have the opportunity to get 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 major platforms, Naturhäuschen is a good alternative. This Dutch family business offers private vacation homes in Europe, including treehouses, tiny houses, or yurts. Part of the turnover also goes to nature conservation projects.

If none of the mentioned alternatives work for you or if these accommodations are not available at your destination, there's certainly nothing wrong with booking through well-known portals like Airbnb, Booking, or Interhome. By considering a few things, you can avoid private providers who are only in it for profit:

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