How do you find a homestay run by nomads?

Airbnb is using what3words to list stays with Mongolian nomads

See the video HERE

Putting a new spin on the term "digital nomad," U.K. addressing platform what3words has partnered with Airbnb to list stays with Mongolian nomads.

The startup’s simplified addressing system is being applied to help adventurous travelers "home share" with Dukha reindeer herders at their mountain camp where there aren’t any street names..

In this way partnership supports sustainable tourism by helping the tribe tap into a new revenue stream to support its traditional way of life.

Earlier this year, Airbnb signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia to use home sharing as a route for economic empowerment and community development. "The MOU will see both parties provide hospitality training for current hosts, as well as potential hosts in rural and remote areas, to encourage the adoption of new digital technology for tourism," their press release says

The Airbnb listing with the Dukha reindeer herders offers the chance to stay in a teepee in the Taiga forest in Northern Mongolia, with guests getting "two wooden beds, sleeping bags and an open-fire stove for heating and cooking, as well as full access to the reindeer tribe’s backyard."

what3word comes into play because guests are asked to meet the nomadic tribe at a previously communicated three-word address at the edge of the forest.

what3word’s platform divides the world into 57 trillion 3-by-3 metre squares — each of which has been assigned three words to act as its easier-to-share pinpoint. Using unique combinations of words for geolocation reduces the risk of confusing two similar-sounding street names, for example, and means a location can easily be shared verbally or read at a glance.

After meeting their hosts at the forest edge, guests ascend with them to the mountain to the camp — located at ///evaluate.video.nails — either on reindeer or by horse.

what3words addressing platform used to pinpoint a nomadic tribe’s Airbnb listing in Mongolia

Travelers can then expect to be "immersed in the day-to-day life of the tribe, from herding and milking reindeer to cooking traditional Mongolian dishes and making handicrafts," they add.

Commenting on the partnership in a statement, Cameron Sinclair, social innovation lead at Airbnb, said:  "Airbnb is excited to partner with what3words and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia to drive sustainable tourism and economic empowerment, while promoting the unique hospitality and culture so intrinsic to the country.

"In Mongolia, a lack of traditional street addressing and nomadic way of life have prevented locals from welcoming Airbnb guests into their homes. Our partnership delivers an innovative way to provide hosts with an accurate and reliable address while constantly on the move, and creates new livelihood opportunities for nomadic and rural communities in Mongolia and around the world."

A spokeswoman for what3words confirmed the partnership is limited to Mongolia for now — but added it’s "exploring next steps with Airbnb" in the hopes of expanding the collaboration.

There’s no financial component to the arrangement as yet because what3words is free for individuals to use (so in this case the Dukha reindeer herders).

So as Europe is closing down for Airbnb as communities react to being pushed out by tourists – maybe a new opportunity is opening up!

See the story HERE:

Valere Tjolle

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