[Festival] Hospitality in rural & remote areas

[Jennifer3488]

I grew up in a rural but not quite remote place in the heart of the Ozark mountains, along the banks of the Buffalo National River. I love the wild places and quiet streams of my home, but it’s hard to make a living here. If you’re as old as I am, you’ll remember the Dogpatch community from the Li’l Abner comic strip. Yeah, the Dogpatch theme park was half an hour from here.

We’ve always had tourists, and our community has always made part of their living from them. My family and I have rented cabins, owned a little motel, and been landlords here to make ends meet. We love welcoming visitors to the rivers, mountains, and forests that we love. In our poor rural community, the Airbnb platform has meant extra income for dozens of families, for people from teachers to farmers to nurses.

The nightly rental market has transformed from a hillbilly joke to some of the most well-appointed and welcoming spaces that I’ve experienced. I attribute a whole lot of that change to the standards Airbnb holds both its hosts and guests to. Searcy County will never be the same, and I’m glad.

This topic is part of our Festival of Hospitality 2022. You can find the full line-up here.

[Fred13]

@Jennifer3488 Airbnb has made a lot of things possible for a lot of people, especially for those in far away places off the beaten path. In the past the choices were to take out expensive ads or go to travel trade shows to advertise such places. Expensive and risky alternatives. Today millions can read about your place by just listing on Airbnb and 'If you build it, they will come'.

[Clara116]

@Jennifer3488 WOW.....why not show a couple pics of your places...they are awesome and many folks would dream of coming to Arkansas to stay there.

@Fred13  how right you are! They will come! You have surely seen that - and your hard work has shown.....one of my dream places for sure. 

[Delphine348]

Hello @Jennifer3488 ,

Thanks for sharing your experience and how becoming a host with Airbnb has helped you and your family to make a living in a rural area.

I am always happy to discover so many places around the world thanks to this Community Center forum and to feel that I belong.

You live in a beautiful natural area and it’s good to know that they are many hosts there who are welcoming international guests!

Best regards 

[Laurelle3]

@Jennifer3488 Reading your article brings me joy because living with nature is good for ones wellbeing. As a host you are providing this for others to experience. Since Covid people are looking for places to stay in rural and remote areas and this is where your accommodation has become an important for your guests. A safe place to stay for time out, relax and unwind and medicine without visiting a doctor.

Congratulation for having a go and the future travel industry looks bright for everyone in the Airbnb industry.