Can a Rural Airbnb Be Successful Without Being in a Tourist Destination?
When people talk about Airbnb success, one piece of advice comes up again and again:
Location, location, location.
Usually, this means being close to a city centre, beach or major tourist attraction.
But our experience with Airbnb has taught us that location can mean something else.
Sometimes, you do not need to be the destination.
Sometimes, it is enough to be on the way.
For a broader look at why rural accommodation can work outside major cities, see Does Airbnb Work Outside Cities?.
Our Airbnb Is Not in an Obvious Location
Our guest house is in the countryside, far from major cities and with relatively poor public transport connections.
It would not immediately look like an obvious Airbnb location.
But we are also situated between two popular tourist destinations.
That turned out to matter more than we expected.
Many travellers visiting a country want to see several places during the same trip. Instead of staying in one destination, they travel between different highlights.
And that creates another type of demand.
They may simply need somewhere comfortable to stop for the night.
The "On the Way" Guest
A traveller driving several hours between two destinations might have a choice:
Drive the entire distance in one day, or stop somewhere along the route.
A rural guest house can become attractive if it offers a comfortable place to pause, relax and continue the journey the next morning.
The guest is not necessarily visiting the area itself.
They are using the accommodation as part of the journey.
And sometimes, that can be enough.
When Being Remote Becomes an Advantage
There is another interesting side to rural accommodation.
After a day of sightseeing, driving or hiking, guests may not want another busy tourist destination.
They might prefer:
- A quiet evening
- Privacy
- Nature
- A private sauna
- A good night's sleep
- Somewhere to slow down
In that situation, the lack of restaurants, shopping centres and busy streets is not necessarily a disadvantage.
The quiet is the product.
Three Ways a Rural Airbnb Can Attract Guests
Looking at our own experience, we have noticed three broad types of guests.
The destination guest comes specifically to visit the surrounding area.
The through-traveller is travelling between two destinations and chooses the guest house as a convenient overnight stop.
The detour guest is willing to change their route because the accommodation itself looks appealing.
The last one is particularly interesting.
It suggests that a property does not always need a perfect location if the experience is strong enough.
Look at the Journey, Not Just the Map
For anyone considering a rural guest house, it is therefore worth asking more than:
"What tourist attraction is closest?"
Also ask:
"Where are travellers going?"
"Which destinations are they travelling between?"
"Where might they want to stop?"
A property that looks remote when viewed on its own may look quite different when placed on a wider travel route.
Location Means More Than Distance
Our experience has changed how we think about location, location, location.
Location is not only about being close to something.
It can also be about being between things.
A rural guest house can attract visitors who are exploring the area, travellers who need a place to stop, or guests who are willing to take a detour because the accommodation itself is worth it.
So before deciding that a property is too remote for Airbnb, look at the journey — not just the destination.
Sometimes, being on the way is the location advantage.