Discover North Carolina’s Inner Banks this fall

Airbnb and Visit North Carolina today announced the launch of Fall in the Inner Banks, marking the final stage of the ‘Dream Big in Small Town NC’ partnership. The initiative encourages travelers to visit the Inner Banks counties of Chowan, Gates, Hertford, Martin, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington, and follows earlier initiatives promoting travel in North Carolina’s Scenic Mountains and Northeast Lakes and Rivers regions. The three-part campaign aims to support the state’s recovery from the pandemic and showcase the many unique shops, restaurants and communities who rely on local tourism.

“Airbnb’s partnership has helped us extend the invitation for travelers to Dream Big in Small Town NC,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit North Carolina. “With traditional accommodations limited in many of our rural areas, Hosts on Airbnb help expand available lodging options and make short and longer-term stays easier to plan. With Airbnb’s direct support of the Dream Big promotion, we’re able to welcome more people to destinations with a wealth of outdoor spaces, small-town charm and unexpected pleasures.”

Visiting North Carolina’s Inner Banks

The Inner Banks boast a realm of water-based adventures, fascinating history, and outdoor activities to inspire travelers. Airbnb Hosts can help guests discover all that the Inner Banks counties have to offer by sharing their local recommendations. 

Come and experience the expansive beauty of the Albemarle Sound, the largest freshwater lagoon in North America, or explore the Roanoke River, frequented by locals and visitors alike for fishing, kayaking, paddling, and camping. In Plymouth, the NC Black Bear Discovery Center educates visitors about the region’s black bear population, which is the densest in the world. In Gatesville, try your luck at spotting an American alligator at the Merchants Millpond State Park, or head to Hertford for some delicious barbecue at Captain Bob’s. Between Plymouth and Columbia, Pettigrew State Park displays centuries-old dugout canoes dredged up from Phelps Lake. And for those looking to flex their creativity, the Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft in Columbia offers a wide array of classes, events, and a fine craft gallery on the Scuppernong River. History lovers can book a leisurely trolley tour around historic Edenton to learn about its 300-year history before taking in breathtaking views and sunsets over dinner at The Herringbone On The Waterfront. 

“Visitors who come to the Inner Banks can enjoy exploring colonial era sites that have been painstakingly restored, kayaking in the lush creeks, or strolling blocks of beautiful homes. Edenton is a quintessential, small waterfront town and a true hidden gem of the Inner Banks of north eastern North Carolina. Steeped in well over 300 years of history, a visit is like a step back in time. Downtown offers plenty of shopping and a growing food scene, and a day would not be complete without enjoying a remarkable sunset while sipping a drink on the waterfront. We look forward to welcoming Airbnb guests to our historic town to fully showcase and emerge guests into the experience of living like a local. Our enthusiasm for this great small town is contagious and hosting gives us a way to share this wonderful slice of Americana.”

– Stephanie, Airbnb Host in Edenton, North Carolina 

Last year, Airbnb made it easier to discover the millions of unique homes guests never knew existed by introducing Airbnb Categories, which help visitors discover different types of stays in the Inner Banks counties. The top 10 most booked categories for the Inner Banks counties in 2022 were¹:

1. Countryside
2. Rooms 
3. Farms
4. Cabins
5. Amazing pools
6. Trending
7. Tiny homes
8. Campers
9. Camping
10. Play

Spreading the economic benefits of tourism to rural areas

The partnership with Visit North Carolina is part of Airbnb’s ongoing work with destination marketing organizations and local governments to support economic recovery from the pandemic. As of Q1 2023, Airbnb has launched more than 150 partnerships across nearly three dozen countries, including nearly 40 in the US and Canada, to bolster the benefits of travel for residents and small businesses.

Since our founding, the Airbnb platform has helped communities use their homes to provide unique, affordable stays for visitors, all while creating important economic opportunities for Hosts and local small businesses. A recent Airbnb report revealed that non-urban travel accounted for the highest growth in supply and demand in nights booked during the pandemic. This increase in rural tourism continues to expand the benefits of travel and tourism to new communities, including those in the Inner Banks.

Tourism in North Carolina’s Inner Banks Counties

• Hosts in Chowan, Gates, Hertford, Martin, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties collectively earned over $1.6 million in 2022, an increase of more than 250 percent compared to 2019².
• In 2022, total nights booked more than doubled compared to 2019 in Chowan, Gates, Hertford, Martin, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties combined³.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Visit North Carolina to inspire travelers to discover the beauty of the rural counties that make up North Carolina’s Inner Banks,” said Viviana Jordan, Head of Southeast Public Policy for Airbnb. “Whether visiting for a leisure trip or to consider making the area their new home, travelers can explore the lush countryside, adventure on the water, or take in the great outdoors while camping. We are continuing to see growing interest in travel to rural counties, which benefits not only local Hosts but the small business they recommend to their guests. In 2022, the typical Host in the Inner Banks counties earned nearly $10,000⁴. Rural North Carolina is filled with opportunity for both guests and locals and we’re proud to help showcase that.” 

Educating North Carolina communities on the power of hosting

Airbnb is also supporting North Carolina residents through the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, an entrepreneurship development program focused on introducing individuals from diverse and underrepresented communities to hosting on the Airbnb platform in coordination with local community partners. Since 2021, the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy has been working with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to educate residents of rural North Carolina about the benefits of hosting on Airbnb and help them get started.