Airbnb has created the Edinburgh Community Fund, with £5 donated for every stay during August

A travel giant has launched a fund which aims to help Edinburgh communities battle through the pandemic.

Airbnb has introduced the Edinburgh Community Fund to ensure locals benefit directly from tourism this summer, as the city rebuilds from.

At present there is no 'tourist tax' on Airbnb stays in the city, however calls have been made for one to be introduced after the amount of holiday lets in the city skyrocketed in recent years. The company has said it is committed to ensuring that locals benefit from each individual stay this summer – and will make a donation from bookings, much like how a tourism tax would operate. 

Airbnb will therefore donate £5 from each stay that takes place in Edinburgh during the month of August, which includes the summer festival period. The money raised will go towards a fund managed by Airbnb hosts from Edinburgh and community organisations, and will back local projects in the city.

Amanda Cupples, general manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, said: “We are determined to do our part to help rebalance tourism in Scotland and to ensure that the return of travel is safe, sustainable and benefits everyone. The Edinburgh Community Fund will highlight how each stay can contribute to Edinburgh’s recovery from the pandemic in addition to the money earned by local Hosts or spent by guests in the community.”