Meet Craig: Airbnb host in London

“I’ve been an Airbnb host in Southwark, London, for almost two years now. What I love most about sharing my home is the people my family and I have the chance to meet. We’re able to learn so much from our guests about their cultures, and they get to learn about ours too. It’s also great to be able to give everyone a genuine, authentic London experience of living in a local community, like a real local, that goes beyond the tourist spots of central London.

“Hosting provides me with a little extra income, which helps fund my own adventures. I love to travel and to give my kids the chance to experience new places and cultures. Hosting on Airbnb provides me with the funds to do that.

When guests arrive in London, Craig gets to know a little more about what they’re here for and gives them some of his best local advice:

“I generally try to find out about a bit more about my guests before I recommend one of several pubs, restaurants, city farms, parks, micro breweries and markets that exist in Southwark. Everyone loves a local coffee shop though, so I always make sure to recommend the Watch-House Cafe or to pop into The Angel, my local pub, for a pint, some traditional fish and chips and a fantastic view of the Thames and Tower Bridge – all from the warmth of a pub armchair!”

Craig works closely with his local community of small business owners because he knows how important their success is to the success of his neighbourhood:

“The small, quirky, local businesses in Southwark make our neighbourhood what it is. It’s warm, open, unique and communal. I believe that communities thrive when small businesses do, and Southwark is really thriving. I recommend shopping locally to my guests so they get to experience life as a local here in Southwark, but also because I want to ensure the beating heart of our communities survive.”