Airbnb and UNESCO have partnered to launch the first-ever Cultural Ambassador Program in Bali. This system goals to empower native Airbnb hosts and homestay homeowners to change into expert cultural ambassadors, enabling them to share the wealthy tapestry of Balinese traditions, cultural heritage, and pure magnificence with vacationers by genuine storytelling and training.
The initiative builds on UNESCO’s decades-long dedication to safeguarding cultural heritage and aligns with Airbnb’s imaginative and prescient for accountable tourism. It attracts inspiration from an Airbnb research which revealed that vacationers in Asia-Pacific area are desirous to expertise genuine native tradition:
- 73% of vacationers worth native suggestions from Airbnb hosts to uncover genuine cultural experiences.
- 86% vacationers would seemingly assist the preservation of native cultural and historic belongings in Asia-Pacific.
- 92% expressed curiosity in visiting native historic websites in APAC.
- 89% are eager to attend native cultural occasions in APAC.
“By way of Airbnb, 1000’s of individuals from around the globe are introduced collectively, united by a shared love of journey. We consider tourism can construct deeper connections and appreciation for numerous cultures,” mentioned Amanpreet Bajaj, Common Supervisor, Airbnb Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. “The Cultural Ambassador Program in Bali in partnership with UNESCO is a part of our dedication to allow accountable journey, fostering connections between native hosts and vacationers and enriching their experiences with authenticity and cultural immersion.”
To make sure this system authentically represents Bali’s heritage, UNESCO in collaboration with its implementing associate, By way of By way of Journey carried out an in depth cultural mapping throughout 5 areas – Tabanan, Gianyar, Bangli, Buleleng, and Badung – between August and December. The mapping lined facets akin to native meals, arts and crafts, traditions and historic websites. This course of ensures that this system not solely highlights Bali’s most celebrated options but additionally brings lesser-known cultural treasures to the forefront.
“Bali’s cultural heritage is a treasure that displays centuries of custom, creativity and resilience. By way of this partnership with Airbnb, we intention to make sure that this invaluable heritage is shared respectfully and responsibly, fostering cultural pleasure and sustainable tourism that advantages native communities” mentioned Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa, Director and Consultant of UNESCO Regional Workplace Jakarta.
The findings from the cultural mapping might be shared with 75 native Airbnb homestay homeowners and 50 native tourism SMES by an internet workshop and devoted group mentoring session. The workshops intention to empower homestay homeowners and SMEs with the talents and confidence to share Bali’s cultural treasures with guests.
“I’m obsessed with sharing Balinese tradition with company who keep in my residence by Airbnb. This program acknowledges the essential position we play as ambassadors of our native tradition, and can present better confidence for hosts in sharing Bali’s distinctive heritage and traditions with vacationers,” shared Ayu Martiasih, an Airbnb host group chief from Bali, Indonesia.
The initiative’s affect will lengthen past the workshops. By 2025, UNESCO and Airbnb will launch a complete information for homestay homeowners and SMEs. A traveler-friendly information will even be made obtainable to vacationers who expressed curiosity in preserving cultural and historic belongings within the Asia-Pacific. This information will function an important device in selling sustainable tourism and preserving Bali’s cultural heritage.
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