Implementing sustainable tourism measures to manage crowds and preserve destinations
4 months
UX Research, UI Design, Prototyping, Design System, Art Direction
Solo
Figma, Miro, After Effects, Protopie
Airbnb's Green Getaway initiative aims to combat over-tourism, with crowd control features that enable hosts to manage their listings based on real-time and historical crowd levels, while also allowing guests to make informed decisions on when to visit. These measures aim to create a more responsible and mindful tourism industry.
According to the World Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals reached 1.4 billion in 2018, and this number is expected to continue growing in the coming years. This surge in tourism has led to overcrowding in popular destinations, causing negative impacts on the environment and local communities
Our challenge is to develop a solution that promotes sustainable tourism while enhancing the guest experience and supporting the local economy.
In 2019, VRBO launched a pilot program called "Responsible Hosting," which provided a set of guidelines for hosts to promote sustainable tourism practices.
Tripadvisor encourages hosts to promote off-season travel, and provides tools for hosts to set seasonal pricing.
Booking.com provides information about eco-friendly accommodations and encourages travelers to choose sustainable options.
During our empathy interviews, we discovered that travelers would greatly benefit from having access to more information and tools that can assist them in making informed decisions about their travel plans.
Some travelers expressed a desire for more information about crowd levels at popular destinations, so they can plan their visits accordingly.
Many travelers are frustrated by the crowds at popular tourist attractions and feel that they detract from the overall experience.
Many travelers are open to the idea of visiting less popular destinations or traveling during off-peak seasons in order to avoid crowds.
Overcrowding in popular tourist destinations can lead to a sense of anxiety, stress, and discomfort among travelers.
Overcrowding can lead to negative environmental and cultural impacts, such as degradation of natural resources.
Travelers are seeking more information and tools to help them make informed decisions about their travel plans.
Take control of the crowds
A crowd control feature for Airbnb that empowers hosts and guests to take control of the crowds by:
With this feature, Airbnb users can enjoy their travels while minimizing the impact of over-tourism on local communities.
How might we encourage travelers to visit destinations during off-peak seasons to help reduce overcrowding?
Highlight the unexpected benefits of off-peak travel.
How might we use technology to give hosts and guests real-time information about crowd levels in a given location?
Using real-time crowd data to inform hosts and guests about crowd levels in a given location.
How might we empower hosts to implement crowd control measures in their listings to promote sustainable travel choices and reduce overcrowding?
Crowd control feature within the Airbnb platform that allows hosts to implement specific settings to bring control to guests visiting the area.
