Airbnb goes wild with 1,000 new 'Animal Experiences', will let you rescue Chernobyl's lost pets, spot Arctic foxes
You can also paddleboard with corgis or hang out with alpacas.
By ET Online | Updated:
Agencies
Discover the Arctic foxes (R) in Isafjorour, Iceland; rescue dogs of Chernobyl in Ukraine. (Images: Airbnb)
Taking another step forward towards eco-tourism, Airbnb, on Friday, introduced a range of new experiences that will offer people a fresh way to connect and interact with animals.
From having tea with Herdwick sheep to hiking with rescue dogs, chilling out with alpacas or cuddling cows, there are over 1000 experiences to pick from.
Enjoy traditional tea and home-made cakes in the company of naughty pet sheep. (Image: Airbnb)
One can also master the art of horse whispering, paddleboard with corgis, kayak with conservationists, learn alongside urban beekeepers or skateboard with a world record-winning bulldog. If you're looking for more adventure, you can choose to help rescue puppies lost within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, or even discover Arctic foxes.
These experiences aim to be an antidote to tourist attractions like kissing a dolphin or riding an elephant that have received flak for ethical concerns.
This experience will give you an insider look at honey bees and why they are so important to our lifestyle. (Image: Airbnb) Talking about the new initiatives, Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky, said that with technology taking up so much of our lives, it had become very easy to feel disconnected from nature and animals.
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"Social media is dominated by animal memes. Life is better with animals, but for many busy people, looking at them through a screen is the closest they can get. With Airbnb Animal Experiences, locals and travellers are just a few clicks away from being alongside them in the real world," he added.
The travel platform has tied up with World Animal Protection to curate the experiences that will be co-hosted by over 300 species and their human advocates. The organisation works with companies, governments and other stakeholders to prevent cruelty towards animals and save their lives as well as the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.
In addition to making animal tourism ethical, over 100 of these experiences will also create social impact, with proceeds from them going towards supporting causes such as conservation, animal rescue, and veterinary care.
Most Powerful Passports Of 2019: India Loses Charm; Singapore, Japan Among Travel-Friendly Countries
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The new Henley Passport Index is out, and there has been a major shuffle in the global ranking of the world's passports.
In the beginning of 2019, 27 countries were in the top 10 positions on the index, but this month 4 more countries were added to the list.
Several countries climbed the list to have most powerful passports, while few slipped from their positions, including India.
The ranking is determined on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. It is based on the exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information.
Here's a look at all the top ranking passports of this year.
The new Henley Passport Index is out, and there has been a major shuffle in the global ranking of the world's passports.
In the beginning of 2019, 27 countries were in the top 10 positions on the in..
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Japan retained its top spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2019 for the second time in a row .
However, Singapore also shared the top spot with Japan in becoming the world's most travel-friendly passport due to the document's access to 189 countries.
Japan retained its top spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2019 for the second time in a row .
However, Singapore also shared the top spot with Japan in becoming the world's most travel-fr..
Read More
While Finland jumped 2 spots, Germany moved 1 place to share the position with South Korea. These countries offer access to 187 countries.
South Korea had moved 10 places up the rankings since 2009, when it held 12th place with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 144.
While Finland jumped 2 spots, Germany moved 1 place to share the position with South Korea. These countries offer access to 187 countries.
South Korea had moved 10 places up the rankings since 2009,..
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With access to 186 jurisdictions, Denmark and Italy inched up one place to the third rank, and Luxembourg managed to rise from the previous fifth rank.
With access to 186 jurisdictions, Denmark and Italy inched up one place to the third rank, and Luxembourg managed to rise from the previous fifth rank.
Sweden retained its fourth rank from January, with access to 185 nations.
While France dropped one place, Spain climbed to from the fifth position to share the spot with Sweden.
Sweden retained its fourth rank from January, with access to 185 nations.
While France dropped one place, Spain climbed to from the fifth position to share the spot with Sweden.
With permission to 184 nations, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal & Switzerland jumped one spot to share the fifth rank.
With permission to 184 nations, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal & Switzerland jumped one spot to share the fifth rank.
Belgium Canada Greece Ireland climbed one spot to the sixth rank, while Norway, United Kingdom and the United States retained their position with permissions to 183 countries.
Belgium Canada Greece Ireland climbed one spot to the sixth rank, while Norway, United Kingdom and the United States retained their position with permissions to 183 countries.
Malta and Czech Republic inter-switched places. Malta solely ruled at the seventh spot with permission to 182 countries, and Czech Republic moved to eighth position on the powerful passport index with access to 181 destinations.
Malta and Czech Republic inter-switched places. Malta solely ruled at the seventh spot with permission to 182 countries, and Czech Republic moved to eighth position on the powerful passport index wit..
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Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Lithuania jointly share the 9th position with access to 180 nations.
While Australia, Iceland, New Zealand climbed one place, Lithuania was a new entrant.
Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Lithuania jointly share the 9th position with access to 180 nations.
While Australia, Iceland, New Zealand climbed one place, Lithuania was a new entrant.
Latvia, Slovenia & Slovakia proudly marched at the 10th spot with access to 179 nations.
Latvia, Slovenia & Slovakia proudly marched at the 10th spot with access to 179 nations.
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