Airbnb Sells Sustainability

In its latest advertising campaign, Airbnb is pushing its role in sustainability. Taking lessons from Chapters 5 and 7 in the textbook, Airbnb boasts saving the planet in concrete terms.

According to a recent report, published with the Cleantech Group, "In one year alone, Airbnb guests in North America saved the equivalent of 270 Olympic-sized pools of water while avoiding the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 33,000 cars on North American roads." The company also says that North American Airbnb guests use 63% less energy than do hotel guests, while European guests use 78% less.

The report results are summarized in an infographic on Airbnb's blog.

Discussion Starters:

• Read Airbnb's report summary. Which statistics make sense to you, and which are perhaps overstated or irrelevant?
• What do you think of Airbnb's marketing approach? Do you find it effective? Why or why not?
• Asses the company's infographic. What principles from Chapter 9 are followed effectively?