By: Stuart Kerr, Travel Correspondent
Published: 03/08/2025 · Updated: 03/08/2025
Contact: editorial@holidaymate.com | About the Author
In 2025, tourism is entering a new chapter: one where community-driven platforms are quietly replacing the dominance of Airbnb and its global peers. As city governments enforce stricter rental regulations, travellers are increasingly turning to ethical, local-led alternatives that support the places they visit rather than strain them.
Platforms like Fairbnb, Socialbnb, Ecobnb, and Kindred are emerging with clear missions: fair host compensation, community reinvestment, and ecological impact minimisation.
The Guardian recently highlighted Ecobnb, credited for listing sustainable accommodations vetted against strict eco criteria. It’s “one of the best alternative booking platforms for responsible travellers,” with properties across more than 55 countries selected for their green credentials and community focus.
Fairbnb.coop operates as a cooperative: half of its platform fees fund local community projects, and hosts must be local residents rather than commercial operators. This ethical approach appeals to travellers longing for authenticity and tangible social impact.
Among curated alternatives, Socialbnb matches travellers with stays that underwrite grassroots environmental and social initiatives, while Kindred facilitates eco friendly homestays and property swaps. Sites such as Coolstays and Sawday’s focus on unique rural properties—treehouses, barns, converted carriages—often managed by families or local owners (The Guardian).
Meanwhile, coliving platforms are emerging in response to both Airbnb restrictions and the rise of remote work culture. In France and across Southern Europe, models such as Outsite and Paatch offer short-stay communal living tailored for digital nomads and slow travelers.
A report in Le Monde describes how Outsite—originally started in California—has grown to dozens of European locations, especially in France, Portugal, and Spain. It caters to remote professionals staying between a few days and a few months, navigating around Airbnb bans by offering shared spaces in restored hotels or villas.
Paatch connects travellers with private houses where community, remote work, and affordability meet. Members subscribe annually (around €50) to access a network of communal homes across Europe and occasionally beyond. Prices range from €300 to €650 per week, often below local short-stay market rates. The offerings are increasingly popular among the 30-something remote workforce seeking longer, socially rich stays.
These platforms are flourishing amid rising backlash against short-term rentals. In cities like Barcelona, Lisbon, and Venice, local authorities have restricted Airbnb-style rentals to protect long-term housing stock. As a result, travellers are turning to regulated alternatives that are seen as more beneficial to neighbourhoods and residents (The Guardian).
Another player is Voyascape, which compiled a list of 15 ethical and eco-friendly stay platforms in 2025—including Fairbnb, Ecobnb, Socialbnb, and others. The emphasis is on local impact, sustainability, and off-grid authenticity.
In contrast, mainstream aggregators such as HomeToGo, Vrbo, and FlipKey remain relevant for price-sensitive travellers—but these serve a different market: scale, flexibility, and consistency rather than social or environmental value.
Overall, 2025 sees a clear shift: travellers no longer just choose accommodation—they choose hosts and values. Whether through ethical cooperatives, sustainability-certified stays, or communal living setups, the new platforms offer travel with purpose. They are not about undoing Airbnb but offering meaningful alternatives in an age where impact matters as much as convenience.
About the Author
Stuart Kerr is a travel correspondent for Holidaymate.com, covering wellness trends, mobility travel, and conscious tourism across Europe. For inquiries, reach him at editorial@holidaymate.com.
