Since our humble beginnings in 2016, travelling more meaningfully, supporting the communities we visit, and minimising our environmental footprint have been core values for us at Minimalist Journeys. We are very conscious of our impact and are constantly looking for ways to be better travellers.
Being location-independent, we often stay in homestays and short-term rentals—usually a room in or an annexe to our hosts’ homes. Finding accommodation that benefits the community we visit (rather than contributing to tourism-induced gentrification) is not always easy, though.
So far, we’ve relied on the Homestay booking platform and our due diligence (based on listing information and reviews on larger platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com or VRBO) to identify individual hosts who want to connect with their guests (rather than provide an anonymous service at an industrial scale). Now, there is another (strong) contender that will make it easier for responsible travellers like us to book accommodation: socialbnb.
We’ve recently had the chance to test socialbnb and share our findings here. If you’re interested in learning what it’s like to stay at one of the properties listed on the platform (in Tuscany, no less), check out this article.
What is socialbnb, and how did it come about?
Socialbnb is a unique platform that connects conscious travellers with accommodations and experiences that directly support community-led social and ecological projects. On the platform, travellers can book
- accommodations (called Impact Stays),
- experiences (called Impact Experiences), and
- organised tours (called Impact Trips),
that has a lasting positive impact on the travellers and the communities they visit.
Headquartered in Cologne/Germany, socialbnb was officially founded by university buddies Alexander Haufschild and Nils Lohmann in 2021.
The idea for socialbnb, though, started a few years earlier as part of a multidisciplinary student initiative at the University of Cologne. Avid travellers Alex and Nils had met Seng Chanty, a tuk-tuk driver in Cambodia who dreamed of building a school in his village but lacked funding. Together, they developed the idea of renting out spare rooms in the village to travellers, providing them with an immersive cultural experience while raising funds for Seng Chanty’s project.
“It is the people we meet that change us. Travel experiences in particular create these profound changes. We learn about new cultures and perspectives and make meaningful connections. In a world where mass tourism leads to the exclusion of local people and anonymisation, we strive to make a difference.” (socialbnb)
How Socialbnb Supports Sustainable Development Goals
Socialbnb distinguishes itself from other booking platforms by taking an impact-first approach. Every listing on the platform supports one or several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
- Goals 3, 4 and 5: with projects focused on promoting healthy nutrition and community health care, and educating and empowering marginalised community groups, as well as
- Goals 14 and 15: with projects that preserve habitat and biodiversity, from reforestations and preservation of marine environments to organic farming and the care for stray and neglected animals.
Worthwhile projects are identified in close collaboration with local NGOs, community organizations and other stakeholders, ensuring the authenticity and positive impact of the listed offerings. The platform applies specific quality criteria to list only the right projects. Orphanage voluntourism and exploitative wildlife experiences, for example, are excluded.
Socialbnb’s efforts, though, reach beyond providing an impactful booking platform: The company also collaborates with the project teams to develop accommodation and experience offerings that meet the needs of (responsible) travellers—a very important aspect, given that many of its partners don’t have long-term hospitality experience.
Last (but not least), 100% of the funds travellers spend on socialbnb stays and experiences remain within the local community, directly funding social and environmental projects. The costs of running and developing the platform are covered by a 15% commission (based on the price charged by the accommodation/experience provider and payable upon booking confirmation).
Socialbnb’s commitment to transforming the face of tourism was recognised in 2023 when the company won the UNWTO Awake Tourism Challenge for Local Community Involvement – a huge achievement and well-deserved award.
Why does it matter where you choose to stay?
Many travellers don’t realise it, but where they choose to stay on their travels has a profound impact on the communities they visit.
When we visited the Galapagos Islands a few years ago, we initially planned to join one of the (expensive) cruises advertised on every travel platform covering the region. Upon arrival, though, we were shocked to learn that only about 6% of the income from visitors to the Galapagos goes to the island communities. This realization prompted us to stay in locally owned guesthouses and book day tours with local operators instead, ensuring that our spending directly benefited the people who call the islands home.
Booking stays and experiences owned and operated by locals reduces tourism leakage and directly benefits the local community
Tourism leakage (as it’s called) is not limited to remote islands, by the way. Similar issues are faced in European cities, where (more and more frequently) Tourist Stay Away campaigns protest the negative effects of short-term rentals (STRs) on local communities. These STRs often operate like large hotels, with hundreds of listings managed by property management companies and their (often poorly paid) cleaning and maintenance crews. There is nothing personal about these establishments, nor do they care about the community’s well-being. Everything is about maximising profits for the (often wealthy overseas) owners.
Tension between local residents and (mass) tourism is growing, urging for tourism practices that prioritize community well-being | Image courtesy of Bridgendboy on Canva
At the opposite end of the spectrum, small-scale, family-owned and operated operators earn a living from travellers staying in their guest room or guest cottage/annexe next door. The experience is intimate and personal, giving travellers a rare and deep(er) insight into the locals’ lives. Often, your stay will not only help the immediate family but also contribute to the larger community’s well-being.
Where would you rather stay?
“We create a tourism where everyone benefits, by bringing travellers and local people together to create an authentic [overnight] experience, because we want the income from tourism to benefit the local population, to make tourism more equitable.” (socialbnb)
Tourism done right benefits us travellers and supports the communities we visit | Image courtesy of socialbnb
What are some of the projects you can support with your socialbnb booking?
By booking a stay, experience or tour through socialbnb, you directly support community projects worldwide. Here are a few examples of the incredible initiatives your booking can help fund:
- Protecting rainforest ecosystems in North Sumatra, Indonesia: Stay at an eco-lodge, learn about rainforest conservation and support efforts to protect endangered species like orangutans.
- Preserving Mayan culture and traditions in Yucatan, Mexico: Stay with local families and learn about Mayan culture, language and sustainable agricultural practices.
- Enhancing biodiversity and building climate resilience in Tuscany, Italy: Stay at an organic agriturismo and support sustainable farming practices, research projects and community education.
We recently visited the latter. Learn more about Podere Montisi and our experience here.
What is it like using the socialbnb platform?
As a relatively new kid on the block, socialbnb’s user experience (UX) can feel a bit clunky, especially if you’re used to the ease (and immediacy) of booking accommodation, experiences, or tours on the likes of Airbnb, Viator, or Intrepid. However, the team constantly focuses on improving the UX, and new features are being added regularly. So, over time, we expect socialbnb’s UX to be similar to that of more established platforms.
Search
Impact Stays/Experiences
On the socialbnb platform, you can search for accommodation and/or experiences by:
- typing a destination in the search field at the top (and selecting the relevant option from the appearing drop-down list),
- clicking on a tile below the homepage picture (you can switch between Unique accommodations and Multiday experiences by clicking on the respective button), and
- selecting (a specific continent from the) Impact Stays or Impact Experiences in the footer menu.
We found the former most useful, as it will take you to a search results and map landing page that shows all accommodations and experiences for your chosen destination and allows you to enter your preferred dates and the number of travellers. To further narrow your search, the landing page also provides additional filters (including price range, room type, and offered features, such as Wi-Fi or private bathroom). Travellers looking to make a specific impact can filter by the six project types socialbnb uses.
Impact Trips
If you want an organised tour, click Impact Trips in the footer menu. This will take you to a landing page where you can select a tour for further information. Impact Trips are offered in collaboration with specialised tour operators. Thus, don’t be surprised if selecting a trip takes you away from socialbnb to the tour operator’s website.
Booking
Impact Stays/Experiences
Each Impact Stay/Experience has its landing page with more detailed information to help you decide whether the accommodation or experience is right for you.
On the landing page, you can also check if your dates are available and how much your stay/experience would cost. If you have questions not answered on the landing page, you can contact the socialbnb team by clicking the WhatsApp or email button.
Once you are happy with your choice, you can create a user profile and send a booking request to your prospective host. Hosts have up to 72 hours to respond and confirm your booking.
Impact Trips
Impact Trips can be booked by clicking on the Reserve now button on the tour’s socialbnb landing page, which takes you to a web form (example). If selecting an Impact Trip takes you to the operator’s website, you can make your booking there (example).
Payment
For Impact Stays, you only pay socialbnb’s 15% commission after your host confirms your booking. The remaining balance is paid directly to your host when you arrive.
Payment terms for Impact Experiences/Trips vary depending on the provider, so it’s important to check the details on the respective landing page (or ask socialbnb).
Payments through socialbnb are secure and can be made via PayPal or by debit/credit card.
Communication/Customer Support
Socialbnb offers multiple ways to connect before, during and after the booking process:
- You can reach the socialbnb team via WhatsApp, email or web form (where available).
- You can also contact socialbnb via webchat by clicking on the icon at the bottom right of the screen.
Once you’ve submitted a booking request, you can contact your host through socialbnb.
I love the concept and would like to book my next holiday through socialbnb. What (else) do I need to know?
Socialbnb supports smaller, community-based projects that don’t have the resources or reach of large international NGOs. Many of the accommodations and experiences listed are run by local hosts with limited hospitality experience. Therefore, it’s important to manage your expectations. If you’re seeking 5-star luxury or expect hosts to constantly cater to your every need, socialbnb’s Impact Stays/ Experiences/ Trips may not be for you.
When making a booking on socialbnb, be aware that booking confirmation is not instantaneous and may take up to 72 hours. Your host may also ask clarifying questions before accepting your request. So, check the email account you provided in your profile during that period.
Also, many Impact Stays/Experiences are located in rural areas, so verifying how to get there on the landing page and confirming logistics with socialbnb or your host in advance to avoid surprises is essential.
I would like to gift an Impact Stay/Experience/Trip to a loved one. How do I go about that?
If you’re looking to gift a meaningful travel experience, socialbnb offers gift vouchers which allow your loved one/s to choose their own destination and project to visit and support. You can find more information and purchase vouchers directly on socialbnb’s website.
Ready to make your next holiday more meaningful?
When you book with socialbnb, you’re not just securing a unique stay — you’re empowering local communities and supporting vital social and environmental projects worldwide. Whether you’re seeking an eco-lodge nestled in nature or a culturally immersive homestay, every booking leaves a positive impact. Click below to explore and start planning your next sustainable adventure.
Before you go, if you liked my article and found it helpful, I would appreciate it if you could share it with your friends and family via the Share buttons below. Even better: Leave a short review on Trustpilot or Google, which would help us further build our online reputation as a (trustworthy and helpful) travel and lifestyle blog.
