Tourism to host Airbnb workshops
One of the biggest trends in travel in recent years is renting rooms or homes from private owners to travelers.
With a few Airbnb locations already in Clark County, the Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission is helping sponsor a two-day workshop for anyone interested in joining the Airbnb ranks.
The workshop will be in two sessions, at 5 p.m. March 17 and 24, Executive Director Nancy Turner said, and participants must attend both sessions.
“The short-term rentals are becoming more and more popular with travel,” Turner said. “We have a lot of rural properties in the county that are short-term rentals. It gives the people the opportunity to get out of Winchester and decompress in our wonderful countryside.”
The training session, hosted by the tourism commission and the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, will last about three hours each night, she said. Speakers will include current Airbnb hosts who will talk about their experiences, she said.
“If you’ve even thought about it, it would give you an overview,” Turner said.
Topics for the sessions will include developing a listing, marketing the property, how to comply with local taxes and registrations, connecting with local tourism officials and other topics, she said.
In a news release, Turner said Airbnb hosts typically earn about $3,300 annually and keep 97 percent of listing prices on the site.
Registration is $20. The sessions will be at the Winchester Design Studio at 11 S. Main St. Sessions begin at 5 p.m. and include food.
For more information, call 859-744-0556.