Airbnb doubles Rural Tourism Fund to €200,000 for Irish Organisations

Airbnb has today launched the second year of Ireland’s Rural Tourism Fund, doubling its support to locally led projects and organisations that help visitors discover rural Ireland, and strengthen rural communities, to €200,000. The Fund is open to community groups, rural tourism organisations, small businesses and local enterprises across the Republic of Ireland.

Applications are open across three categories, Outdoor & Activity, Heritage & Arts, and Hospitality & Food. To support the fund, Airbnb has partnered with category experts, Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism, Historic Houses of Ireland and Vintners’ Federation of Ireland. Applications are now open and will close on 16 September 2026. 

Launching ahead of National Heritage Week (15-23 August), rural tourism plays a vital role in preserving Ireland’s heritage, supporting local jobs, and sharing the benefits of tourism beyond major cities. Airbnb continues to champion rural tourism, with 71% of bookings in Ireland taking place in predominantly rural areas*.

By helping visitors discover unique, off-the-beaten-track places and experiences, the fund aims to boost small communities, support cultural landmarks, and ensure regional economies continue to thrive.  A visitor might come for a bike tour, stay for lunch at a local café and then discover a nearby heritage attraction or weekend festival. Together, these experiences encourage visitors to stay longer, explore further and spread the benefits of tourism across rural communities throughout the year.

Speaking on the launch, Velma Corcoran, Director of Government Relations and Policy Campaigns at Airbnb said: “We’re delighted to launch the second year of Airbnb’s Rural Tourism Fund — doubling the funding to €200,000 after last year’s incredible response from communities across Ireland. Rural tourism is at the heart of what makes Ireland unique, and with the vast majority of Airbnb listings in Ireland located in rural destinations, we see first-hand the role it plays in supporting local communities.”

The Fund showcases the role of rural tourism in driving regional competitiveness, SME resilience, sustainability and community-led innovation – all themes of Ireland’s current Presidency of the Council of the European Union.  Investment into these lesser known destinations means communities that typically wouldn’t benefit from tourism footfall receive an economic lifeline.

Last year, Airbnb’s inaugural Rural Tourism Fund supported small businesses and community organisations across the country, providing €100,000 in funding to a diverse range of rural tourism projects across Ireland, including Spanish Point Cycling Tours, Aughrim Tidy Towns, Skibbereen’s Painted Past, and The Doonbeg International Jazz Festival. 

One of the winners of last year’s fund, Kevin Moroney, Founder of Spanish Point Cycling Tours, said: “Receiving support through Airbnb’s Rural Tourism Fund last year made a real difference to our business. It allowed us to invest in improving the experience we offer visitors while helping us showcase the unique beauty, heritage and hospitality of West Clare. With the funding we received, we purchased seven new e-bikes, covered our insurance costs and invested in marketing to promote our tours.

Funding like this gives small tourism businesses the confidence to grow, attract more visitors and create lasting benefits for the wider community. I’d encourage any organisation or business with an idea to strengthen tourism in their local area to apply, it’s a fantastic opportunity to bring those ambitions to life.”

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*Findings reported in Airbnb’s Harnessing the Short-Term Rental Advantage in Europe report, December 2024