Nominate your local country pub for a $50,000 makeover

Airbnb has launched The Country Pub Project , a new initiative designed to encourage more Australians to explore regional communities, while breathing new life into local pubs.

In an effort to help shine a light on these local institutions, Airbnb will award five pubs across Australia a grant of up to $50,000 each to help them revive and boost business.

The initiative aims to generate renewed interest in the small towns and communities that have been under threat in recent years due to declining populations, drought, economic disruption and waning tourism.

From 16 June through to 12 July 2019, Australians can nominate their favourite watering hole for The Country Pub Project, by describing what makes their local pub so special and why an Airbnb grant would help revitalise and restore their local community.

The project came after recent research from Airbnb found two in three (70 per cent) Australians would like to take a regional or rural road trip to see more of the real Australia, yet only 14 per cent of Australians have in fact spent a night in a regional pub during the past 12 months.

The research also suggested the local pub is considered the most important social hub in Australia when compared to RSL clubs, sporting clubs and even the church, yet only half (51 per cent) of Australians would consider staying overnight in a country pub. This is even less of a case in cities and metro areas, with only one in five (21 per cent) Australians considering spending the night in a pub.

Airbnb spokesperson Brent Thomas commented on how Australia is scattered with towns that make up its heartland, and often these towns are anchored by their local country pub.

“Pubs are important places of reconnection for locals and travellers alike. They offer more than just a meal and a bed,” said Mr Thomas. “As is the case in many rural towns, these pubs are a central meeting place, corner store, town hall and much more.”

The New South Wales government has thrown their support behind the project, with Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres saying the program will help deliver a boost to country towns and communities, particularly those impacted by drought.