These are the first two projects of Airbnb’s “Rural Commitment”in Spain

• Triángulo del Agua (Calatayud, Aragón) and Bajo Guadalquivir (Seville, Andalusia) are the two pioneer projects of this first edition, selected from more than 30 applications submitted by rural development organisations from across Spain.
• Rural Commitment is a three-year Airbnb plan, backed by a $50 million investment, that aims to support rural projects. The initiative will continue with new calls open to rural communities

Madrid, 23 July 2026 — Airbnb has selected the first two projects that will receive support from its «Rural Commitment» programme: the Triángulo del Agua, in the region of Calatayud (Aragón), led by ADRI Calatayud; and the Bajo Guadalquivir (Andalucía), led by the Local Development Association of the Bajo Guadalquivir Region, AdelquivirAdelquivir. Both become the pioneer projects of an initiative that aims to show how tourism, done right, can help reactivate economic activity in Spain's villages and rural areas.

On 12 November 2025, Airbnb launched its Rural Commitment, a three-year, $50 million (€43 million) plan to promote a more decentralised and responsible tourism model in rural Spain. The goal is to unlock the potential of rural areas at a time when demand is strong: nearly 70% of Spaniards already use Airbnb to travel to non-urban destinations, and the platform has hosts in more than 5,300 villages across Spain. The programme seeks to spread tourism more widely and channel that interest towards the more than 1,800 municipalities at risk of depopulation — not only to attract visitors, but so that each visit becomes an opportunity to reactivate the local economy and share what makes each village unique.

Last May, Airbnb opened a call for ideas aimed at organisations with deep local roots wishing to lead transformative projects in their municipalities: rehabilitating empty homes, revitalising local businesses or enhancing the cultural and natural heritage of their areas. Over 30 applications were submitted from across rural Spain, including areas of Castilla y León, Andalucía, the Valencian Community, Aragón, the Community of Madrid, Extremadura, Galicia and the Principality of Asturias. Two projects have ultimately been selected for this first edition.

1. Triángulo del Agua (Calatayud, Aragón)
   
   In a region where the Monasterio de Piedra draws more than 320,000 visitors a year who barely stay for the day, ADRI Calatayud's project aims to turn a pass-through destination into a place to stay overnight. The plan is built around three complementary initiatives. The main one is Tranquera Aventura, an active-tourism centre at the Tranquera reservoir — now disused — offering outdoor activities such as kayaking, paddle surfing, ziplining, hiking and mountain biking, fifteen minutes from the Monasterio de Piedra. Added to this are the rehabilitation of two disused municipal buildings in Godojos to create three social rental homes for people or families who will come to work or live in the village, and the recovery of the workshop of the last potter in Alhama, which will be transformed into a space for workshops, visits and experiences around a traditional craft at risk of disappearing. 

«The project is a long-held goal, long pursued by the municipalities, local businesses and the Comarca Comunidad de Calatayud, and it enjoys broad technical, social and territorial backing». He also notes: «Local businesses and towns see the project as a unique opportunity to boost sports and adventure tourism, with a highly appealing offering and a wide range of water — and land — based activities, to which new initiatives tied to this project will gradually be added. It will undoubtedly be a driving force not only for the so-called Triángulo del Agua (Water Triangle) but for the entire area». — Raúl Gasca, Coordinator of the Regional Sports Service of the Comarca Comunidad de Calatayud.

2. Bajo Guadalquivir (Andalucía)

In a province where tourism is concentrated in the capital, the Local Development Association of the Bajo Guadalquivir Region Adelquivir’s project aims to give the Bajo Guadalquivir its own identity as a destination, showcasing its heritage and its offer to attract visitors beyond Seville and spread the benefits across the region as a whole. This project takes as its common thread the ancient routes that cross the region — the Camino de Santiago, the Via Augusta and the drovers' roads (vías pecuarias) — to weave together a network of experiences and accommodation around olive oil, wine, flamenco, heritage and nature.

Planned initiatives include: an olive-oil tourism centre near Los Molares, run by a local producer family; new accommodation linked to a winery in the historic centre of Lebrija; the restoration of the keep (Torre del Homenaje) of the Castillo de las Aguzaderas, in El Coronil; and improvements to the birdwatching area at the Torre del Águila reservoir. 

«The Bajo Guadalquivir has been a land of paths and encounters for centuries. Today, with Airbnb's support, we are taking a further step to turn those paths into opportunities: opportunities for our young people, for our entrepreneurs, for anyone who wants to discover the authenticity of rural Andalusia. This isn't just about restoring buildings or creating experiences. It's about showing that regenerative tourism is possible, that rural development is viable and that our villages have a future. Thank you to Airbnb for believing in us and for walking this path with us». — José Ángel Martínez Fernández, President of Adelquivir.

A unique, tailored and ongoing programme

Every territory is unique. Regenerative tourism does not apply a fixed formula; instead, it builds on the distinctive value of each place to activate it from within. That is why the projects selected under the Rural Commitment grow out of the specific needs and opportunities of their own territory.

«Airbnb's Rural Commitment stems from a conviction: that tourism, done right, can be a lever to revitalise rural Spain. The 37 applications we received, in their diversity and quality, show that this potential already exists, and that Airbnb's role must be one of encouragement and support. The Triángulo del Agua and the Bajo Guadalquivir are just the beginning of a long-term commitment to rural communities in Spain.» — Jaime Rodríguez de Santiago, General Manager for Airbnb Marketing Services in Spain and Portugal:

Through its Rural Commitment, Airbnb selects projects with a real capacity to be carried out and to leave a lasting mark on their surroundings. This first edition is only the starting point. Airbnb's Rural Commitment plans to select more projects in the coming years and invites rural development organisations across Spain to prepare their applications for future calls.

Airbnb's role: funding, support and promotion

Airbnb will fund the selected projects and support them throughout their implementation, working alongside specialist partners on the ground, such as AlmaNatura. Support is structured around two streams:

• Direct grants for the rehabilitation of empty or disused homes, the improvement of public infrastructure and facilities, and the restoration and enhancement of cultural or natural heritage assets.
• Favourable financing, aimed at revitalising local businesses and rural entrepreneurship that can demonstrate economic viability.

A single project may combine both streams: for example, a direct grant to rehabilitate a heritage asset together with a loan to launch a local business. This support is aimed exclusively at private rural development entities — such as local action groups, rural development groups and foundations — never at public administrations.

"Airbnb's 'Compromiso Rural' (Rural Commitment) program is allowing us to continue our approach of getting to know territories from a deep and human perspective—being on the ground and listening closely to the people who live there. This immersion helps us address the concrete needs of each community, from supporting small producers to restoring historical heritage. Co-designing this future together with local stakeholders shows us that tourism is only sustainable when it generates real impact and protects the identity of each region. And that is precisely what makes Airbnb's Rural Commitment different: investing in the territory from within and alongside the people who keep it alive." — Juanjo Manzano, Executive Director of AlmaNatura.