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Press Release
Airbnb Co-Founder Nathan Blecharczyk To Speak About The Importance of Nature Tourism at ITB Berlin Convention
With interest in nature tourism growing across Europe, ITB Berlin 2026 is for the first time entering into a Premium Partnership with Airbnb in order to promote nature stays and boost development in rural regions. At the ITB Berlin Convention, Airbnb co-founder and CSO Nathan Blecharczyk will speak about Airbnb's commitment to rural regions.
The aim of the collaboration between the World's Leading Travel Trade Show and Airbnb is to highlight the potential of nature tourism. At ITB Berlin 2026, which will take place from 3 to 5 March on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, they will highlight why specific tourism flow management is vital for the future of sustainable travel.
"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."
Nathan Blecharczyk, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Airbnb: "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."
Airbnb Co-Founder and CSO to speak at ITB Berlin Convention
Airbnb Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Nathan Blecharczyk will appear as a speaker at ITB Berlin Convention on 3 March, 2 PM on the Orange stage to discuss how Airbnb and rural tourism represents the future of travel in Europe, with nature travel leading the way in Germany. Additionally, Airbnb will make nature travel a focus topic at its booth in Hall 9, Booth 319 and within the conference program, including contributions from Kathrin Anselm, Country Manager Central and Eastern Europe, and Ellen Madeker, Head of Public Policy Central and Eastern Europe. In addition to the presence at the convention, the partners are planning joint communication activities around topics such as sustainable tourism, responsibility in tourism, and the future of travel.
Airbnb’s Bet on Nature: Strengthening Rural Areas Through Tourism
Today in Germany, more guests on Airbnb are swapping the bustle of cities for the calm of nature - often found in rural communities near mountains, forests and coasts. The trend is fueled predominantly by Gen Z and their desire to disconnect from technology while travelling authentically and affordably.
With many rural communities offering few or no hotel accommodation options, Airbnb is the go-to platform for nature stays. This reflects travel trends across Europe, where nights on Airbnb spent in rural accommodations surged 88 percent between 2019 and 2024. As everyday families increasingly choose less crowded destinations, this shift helps relieve overtourism pressure on traditional hotspots while spreading the economic benefits of tourism to local businesses and small communities beyond typical tourist centres.
The Airbnb host community has grown to more than 5 million hosts in almost every country across the globe, to whom hosting offers a flexible and accessible form of income. In Germany, 30% of hosts said they rent out their home to fund renovations.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays, experiences, and services that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.
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About ITB Berlin, the ITB Berlin Convention and ITB 360°
ITB Berlin 2026 will take place from Tuesday, 3 to Thursday, 5 March as a B2B event. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the leading trade show for the global travel industry. In 2026, it will celebrate its 60th anniversary under the motto “Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy.” At the same time, the ITB Berlin Convention will take place under the theme “Leading Tourism into Balance,” bringing together 400 top speakers from business, science and politics on four stages and across 17 thematic tracks to explore the key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. At ITB Berlin 2025, 5,800 exhibitors from more than 170 countries and territories displayed their products and services to almost 100,000 visitors. With ITB 360°, the 365-day global innovation hub that is ITB Berlin now offers the worldwide tourism community year-round insights in the shape of specialist articles, podcasts and other innovative formats.
Additional information is available at www.itb.com, from ITB News & Insights and social media.
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