Airbnb are encouraging Galway organisations to apply for the second year of Ireland’s Rural Tourism Fund, doubling its support to locally led projects and organisations that help visitors discover rural Ireland, and strengthen rural communities, to €200,000. The Fund is open to community groups, rural tourism organisations, small businesses and local enterprises across the Republic of Ireland, with the application portal closing on 16 September 2026.
Applications are open across three categories, Outdoor & Activity, Heritage & Arts, and Hospitality & Food. To support the fund, Airbnb has partnered with category experts, Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism, Historic Houses of Ireland and Vintners’ Federation of Ireland.
Rural tourism plays a vital role in preserving Ireland’s heritage, supporting local jobs, and sharing the benefits of tourism beyond major cities. Airbnb continues to champion rural tourism, with 71% of bookings in Ireland taking place in predominantly rural areas*.
By helping visitors discover unique, off-the-beaten-track places and experiences, the fund aims to boost small communities, support cultural landmarks, and ensure regional economies continue to thrive.
A visitor might come for a bike tour, stay for lunch at a local café and then discover a nearby heritage attraction or weekend festival. Together, these experiences encourage visitors to stay longer, explore further and spread the benefits of tourism across rural communities throughout the year.
Velma Corcoran, Director of Government Relations and Policy Campaigns at Airbnb said they are delighted to launch the second year of Airbnb’s Rural Tourism Fund — doubling the funding to €200,000 after last year’s incredible response from communities across Ireland.
“Rural tourism is at the heart of what makes Ireland unique, and with the vast majority of Airbnb listings in Ireland located in rural destinations, we see first-hand the role it plays in supporting local communities.”
The Fund showcases the role of rural tourism in driving regional competitiveness, SME resilience, sustainability and community-led innovation - all themes of Ireland’s current Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Investment into these lesser known destinations means communities that typically wouldn’t benefit from tourism footfall receive an economic lifeline.
Last year, Airbnb’s inaugural Rural Tourism Fund supported small businesses and community organisations across the country, providing €100,000 in funding to a diverse range of rural tourism projects across Ireland, including Spanish Point Cycling Tours, Aughrim Tidy Towns, Skibbereen’s Painted Past, and The Doonbeg International Jazz Festival.
