[Celebration] Reflections on my time with the Airbnb Host Advisory Board

[Felicity11]

Meeting the members of the 2024 Host Advisory Board in person for the first time, after years of connecting online, was an extraordinary experience earlier this year. To gather as a global community of hosts, united by our passion for hospitality, was inspiring and humbling—a memory I’ll carry with me forever.

For over 12 years, hosting has been at the heart of what I do, but serving on the Host Advisory Board has elevated that journey in ways I could never have imagined. Being selected to join the board was an incredible honor, and being invited to serve for three years has been a deeply rewarding experience. It has not only enriched my hosting career; it has also filled me with the confidence to push forward with my sustainability work for the hosting community and my efforts to support fellow hosts. To me the role of the Host Advisory Board is to bring our knowledge about hosting and the feedback of the hosting community to the teams at Airbnb in a way that they can understand the impacts the products they design will have on the hosting community. We also have the opportunity to help inspire positive change in the hosting community and with the teams we work with, eg: Earth Day, Diversity and Inclusion.

Earth Day 2024

One of the most unforgettable highlights of this journey was being one of just four hosts chosen to stand on stage with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky during a live Q&A. To represent the hosting community, share our collective stories, and feel the weight of our voices being heard by the very heart of Airbnb was awe-inspiring. Brian’s genuine openness to feedback and recognition of the art of hosting have left a profound impression on me.

The experience of working alongside the other incredible board members has been nothing short of transformative. Each person brings their unique expertise and passion—whether in technology, guest experiences, sustainability, or community building—and their dedication has been a constant source of inspiration. Their ideas and energy have motivated me to take on even more in my local hosting community. Whether mentoring new hosts, organizing meetups, or amplifying host feedback, I feel more driven than ever to make a difference.

The friendships I’ve formed with my fellow board members are truly priceless. These are people who understand not only the challenges and joys of hosting but also the power it has to impact lives. Together, we’ve built a support system, exchanged insights, and created lasting connections that transcend borders.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being on the board has been seeing how our collective feedback has shaped Airbnb. Whether in structured sessions or casual conversations, the teams at Airbnb listen deeply. To see our input and feedback come to life on the platform, improving the experience for hosts and guests alike, is a testament to Airbnb’s commitment to its community.

My passion for sustainable hosting has been a key part of my contribution to the board. Sharing practical advice with fellow hosts on how to incorporate sustainability into their homes and operations has been incredibly fulfilling. Developing SustainableHosting.com.au has allowed me to extend this mission even further, helping hosts take meaningful steps toward lowering the emissions and waste in their homes and helping guests to have a lower-emissions holiday. 

I even took the sustainability talk on the road, traveling to Tasmania as the guest speaker at their Airbnb Host Expo! It was incredible—tourism operators shared where they are on their sustainability journeys.

Earth day events 2023 Sydney Australia Earth Day 2024

Being part of the board has also opened doors I never anticipated. It’s given me opportunities to connect with local tourism organizations and contribute to broader conversations about hospitality and sustainability. These connections have amplified my ability to make an impact, not just in hosting but in the tourism industry as a whole.

Above all, this journey has been about growth—both personal and professional. It’s given me the confidence to dream bigger, the tools to make meaningful changes, and the inspiration to continue supporting hosts worldwide. I’m endlessly grateful to Airbnb, my fellow board members, and the global hosting community for making this chapter of my life so memorable.

Here’s to building on everything we’ve achieved together and continuing to make a difference, one host, one guest, and one community at a time. Just keep up the feedback!

All the best,
Felicity

[Daniel1651]

@Felicity11  I deeply admire your unwavering commitment to sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, as well as your dedication to constantly improving the product for hosts and guests alike. Your ability to inspire others and lead with purpose is nothing short of remarkable!

It’s been a privilege to share this journey with someone as passionate and forward-thinking as you.

Here’s to building on everything we’ve accomplished and continuing to make a meaningful impact—just as you said, the feedback never stops!

Love!

Daniel.-

[Felicity11]

Thank you @Daniel1651 for your kind words.  It has been a privilege to share my time on the board with you and thank you for your constant support in all my endeavours in Sustainability and Diversity and Inclusion.   I can't wait to see what we can do with it next.

[Claudia331]

Dear @Felicity11 thank you for being a passionate traveling companion and to carry forward the sustainability values of the platform

We have tried to carry forward a message of raising awareness and increasing attention to respecting homes, territories and the planet. This to me is a key aspect as you know, and is that makes me love Airbnb

Hope see you very soon somewhere, between Australia and Italy  

[Felicity11]

Thank you @Claudia331 for your support in this journey to bring sustainable hosting to the world's hosts.   We need inspiring hosts like you to help all hosts understand all the little things they can do to make sustainable hosting mainstream. 

[Quincy]

Hi @Felicity11,

What an inspiring journey you’ve had on the Host Advisory Board. Your dedication to sustainability and hosting truly stands out, from the impactful initiatives you’ve been a part of at Airbnb to your involvement in the Community Center's Festival of Sustainability.

What inspired you to start SustainableHosting.com.au, and how do you envision it evolving in the future?

I’ve tagged some of our amazing sustainable hosts from the Festival of Sustainability 2024 who would surely enjoy reading about your inspiring journey 🌿

@Jennifer3225 @Santi463 @Rekha10 @Nash-Cottages-LLC0 @Laurelle3 @Kitty-and-Creek0 @Andres644 @Rose422 @Patricia2526 

[Andres644]

Thanks @Quincy 

Hi @Felicity11 ! 

Your journey in Airbnb is a clear message for other hosts that our passion for our industry pays out.

You're a clear example of the "extra mile" doing so many events and helping other hosts. Thank you!

I have a small farm in Batangas Philippines where I connect and take care of nature too. 

I wish you all the best!

Warm regards from the warm Philippines,

Andres

[Felicity11]

Hi @Andres644 

Thank you for your lovely comments. I am so happy to hear that my passion is resonating with you.  I would love to hear more about your farm and what you grow and the animals you look after.   Perhaps one day I will get to come and experience the farm! 

All the best

Felicity

[Laurelle3]

@Quincy thank you for the tag. i hope you have an enjoyable Festive Season and may you 2025 takes you on a path that has many surprises and good will.

@Felicity11 Sustainability has always been a part of my life, and I strive to carry that mindset into my Airbnb hosting. While we may not always hit the 100% mark, every day is an opportunity to do our best.

It’s inspiring to see your unique Sustainability Style making its way to Airbnb Headquarters and even the stage! Your enthusiasm and vibrant energy undoubtedly motivate and influence those around you.

Having met you, I can say with confidence that your passion for sustainability is genuine. From your beach cleanups to your creative flair—like crafting a dress from a recycled sheet from your Airbnb listing—you truly live and breathe this mission. Keep shining! 

Merry Christmas for you and your Family and may in 2025 we meet on the path of Airbnb again. 

[Felicity11]

Thank you @Laurelle3  for your kind words. I do live and dream this and I love it.  What I really love is hearing feedback from fellow hosts like you that you enjoy hearing my tips, and I love hearing what you are doing in your communities.  Together, we can drive change, and there is so much we can learn from each other. 

[Felicity11]

Thank you, @Quincy, for your lovely comments.  My family live and breathes sustainability.  I grew up with grandmothers who taught me how to sew using scraps and worn-out clothes.  From here, I always looked at things with a what can I do or make with this once it is worn out, broken, or how easy would it be to repair it mentality.  My husband is from a family of biologists, zoologists, and ornithologists, and he grew up very aware of what was happening to the natural world around us. When we set up our cottage on Airbnb, we set it up to be as sustainable as possible so it would use the least amount of power and water. We added steps to help reduce waste, and we added items that guests can choose to use if they also wish to reduce the emissions and waste they create when they stay.  What has been incredible is that over the 12 years we have been hosting, many of our guests have commented on these initiatives, and they love them so much that they come back and stay with us again and again.  Now my guests ask me how they can find the next place to stay in that is like mine. Many hosting friends think this is great but do not know where to start. This is why I developed my website, and I now talk about how we can all take steps to reduce our emissions and waste at our Airbnb summits and community meet-ups. I can see how a bit of knowledge can help hosts make changes to make there homes more sustainable and I love sharing this with others! 

[Felicity11]

Thanks @Quincy  and I meant to say I hope there will be a way for all these sustainable hosts to be involved as well in the sustainable hosting site and the online content that will follow! 

[Sarah5000]

@Felicity11 thank you for sharing many sustainable ideas and tips with us, I never thought the hosting would have been involving the sustainable development, but you have taught me how I can make my listing to be sustainable. wish you happy new year !!!