Sustainable accommodation instead of Airbnb: These platforms are worthwhile

Booking private accommodations instead of a hotel room when traveling has become widespread – especially through platforms like Airbnb. However, this business model has a downside: In many cities, vacation rental providers are driving up rents, thereby exacerbating the housing shortage and increasingly displacing locals from the market. "Tourists go home" graffiti and anti-tourism demonstrations are no longer uncommon in hotspots like Barcelona, ​​Mallorca, or Tenerife.

A lettering that can be seen not only in Barcelona.

Source: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

By order of the Spanish government, Airbnb must now remove over 65,000 of its listings from the platform. Barcelona even plans to ban vacation rentals completely by the end of 2028. But the problem doesn't only affect Spain : Cities like Venice, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome are also grappling with similar challenges and are taking their own measures.

Those who want to travel responsibly should therefore also consider the impact of their accommodation choices – and consider alternatives to Airbnb, Booking.com, and others. We present the best sustainable booking platforms.

The Fairbnb platform offers a promising alternative. Unlike Airbnb, Fairbnb donates half of its commissions to local social projects. The focus is on sustainable, responsible tourism, which benefits not only travelers but also the local community.

Fairbnb currently has accommodations in the following countries: Portugal, Italy, Spain and the Canary Islands, France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Fairbnb is still in its early stages in other countries. Currently, there are only a handful of accommodations in Vienna, Munich, Berlin, and Amsterdam.

If sustainability is important to you on your travels, Ecobnb could be the right booking platform for you. It focuses on eco-friendly accommodations in 55 countries. Each listing is rated based on ten sustainability criteria, and users can filter by location (by the water, in the mountains, or in the city). Another bonus: A tree is planted for every booking.

A holiday home in nature.

Source: IMAGO/Addictive Stock

While it's not a typical booking platform, BeWelcome offers you the opportunity to experience a destination in a truly authentic way. You stay with locals and gain insights into your hosts' everyday lives – similar to Couchsurfing. The platform is run by the non-profit initiative BeVolunteer, registered in France. The website is volunteer-run, donation-based, and non-commercial.

Do you want to leave a positive social footprint with your vacation? Then the German platform Socialbnb might be worth a look. There you'll find accommodations from 45 countries. The providers aren't companies or private individuals, but local NGOs (non-governmental organizations).

This means that with your booking, you can support the construction of a school or animal welfare projects, for example. At the same time, you have the opportunity to get involved in these initiatives yourself during your stay, for example, by participating in a whale research expedition or experiencing sustainable agriculture.

If you're looking for a vacation rental in the countryside but don't want to book through the major platforms, Naturhäuschen is a good alternative. This Dutch family business offers private vacation homes in Europe, including tree houses, tiny houses, and yurts. A portion of its revenue also goes to nature conservation projects.

If you want to stay in a treehouse, you can also book through alternative portals.

Source: imago images/MiS

If the alternatives mentioned above aren't for you, or none of these accommodations are available at your destination, there's nothing wrong with booking through well-known portals like Airbnb, Booking.com, or Interhome. If you keep a few things in mind, you can avoid private providers who are only interested in profit:

• Avoid Superhosts: This term often refers to professional providers who permanently use several apartments for short-term rentals – often at the expense of local housing.
• Check the host's profile: Not all professional hosts are designated as Superhosts. A look at the host's profile can reveal whether other accommodations are available.
• Check the booking calendar: A fully booked calendar over many months can be an indication that the apartment is being used as a source of income and is not private accommodation that is only rented out occasionally.

What do travelers need to know right now? You can find all the important vacation news at reisereporter , and the latest travel offers on our deals page .