Donegal hosts attracted thousands of Airbnb users to the county last year and generated millions of euro for the local economy, according to the latest report from the service.
A report released by the home-sharing site this week shows that 30,000 guests in the past year came to Donegal and the North West through the service, with the Wild Atlantic Way providing a big attraction for visitors.
Airbnb accommodation available in the county ranges from spacious houses with seaside views, gypsy wagons and cosy cottages. Local hosts often share stunning views of Donegal’s coast to attract guests, including Slieve League and the Northern Lights.
The report estimated that Airbnb users and hosts have generated €12million for the North West between September 2015 and August 2016.
The cultural offerings and unique landscape of the county make it unique to visitors, the report found, with Donegal being famous for its rugged landscape, fishing ports and tweed textiles.
The average Airbnb guest spends 42% of their money at local community businesses. Plus, visitors ate almost 1 million dinners in regional and rural Ireland.
One of the biggest draws to the Airbnb service is the local knowledge that hosts have about the county. Some 85% of guests who chose Airbnb did so because they wanted to live like a local.
Speaking about the Home Sharing: Empowering Regional & Rural Ireland report, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD said: “This report shows that the home sharing economy is opening up unique places and generating economic value in regional locations. By providing alternative accommodation options for visitors in rural villages and towns, we can help to grow tourism and have a positive knock-on impact on other businesses in rural Ireland.”
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