Airbnb has outlined plans to invest £500,000 to “preserve and showcase the West Midlands’ cultural assets and boost tourism in the region.”

This follows its role as the ‘official hosting provider’ of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which ended on Monday. 

The Airbnb cash will be spent on developing a West Midlands marketing and communications action plan to preserve the region’s ‘cultural and hidden gems’, a campaign to increase visits to the region, so-called ‘host training’, and a donation to a regional artwork.

Amanda Cupples, general manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, says: “The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games showed to the world, and the rest of the UK, just how much Birmingham and the West Midlands has to offer – from sport, to food, and everything in between.

“At the same time, the Games unlocked new economic opportunities for local families battling a difficult cost of living crisis who were able to boost their income by hosting visitors from across the globe.

“As we look to the future, creating a lasting legacy will be as important as the Games itself, and we look forward to working with the West Midlands Growth Company to boost tourism in the region, and highlight the value of community-led tourism as an integral part of the visitor economy.”

Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands, adds: “I have always been clear that the Commonwealth Games would be about so much more than the sport – it has to be about the legacy we leave behind for generations to come.

“Yes, it is another vote of confidence from a major firm in our region, but more significantly this commitment will help preserve the cultural legacy of the Games – something that is mission critical after the success of the last 11 days.”