Airbnb Draws Tourists Off the Beaten Path

Airbnb connects travelers from around the world to unique rentable spaces. With the recent launch of a "Neighborhoods" feature, Airbnb has the potential to redirect tourist spending to often overlooked areas.

2 minute read

November 15, 2012, 2:00 PM PST

By jerinbrent


While tourists often crave authentic, local experiences from the cities they visit, information about where to go and what to do is often limited to the tried and true destinations. Fast Company writer, Ariel Schwartz laments, "Whenever I happen to be walking near San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf area--ground zero for tourists--I want to yell at passersby: 'Get out of here! There are so many more vibrant parts of the city that you could be visiting.'"

Airbnb, the website that allows travelers to book spaces on a peer-to-peer platform, has created a unique Neighborhoods feature that highlights the nooks and crannies of popular cities, providing a new way to experience places like San Francisco. Airbnb solicited the input from "neighborhood experts", local street photographers and hired their own cartographer to create comprehensive guides to 300 neighborhoods in 7 cities: New York, Paris, London, San Francisco, Berlin, Washington DC, and Rio de Janeiro.

"Airbnb has some serious economic power," writes Schwartz, "According to a recent study from HR&A Advisors, Airbnb guests in San Francisco stay in their accommodations for an average of 5.5 days and spend approximately $1,045 on transportation, shopping, and food. At the same time, 90% of guests visiting San Francisco (and presumably other cities) prefer to stay in areas that are 'off the beaten track.'"

Neighborhoods businesses that are used to serving locals might see a boost from tourism in the near future.

Thanks to Jessica Brent

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 in Fast Co.Exist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

May 15 - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities