This month, Powell County Tourism will host MACED’s How to Airbnb Training in Slade, Kentucky. The two-part training will be held on Sunday, August 12th, and Sunday, August 19th, from 3-6 p.m. at the Slade Welcome Center located in the Red River Gorge. Participants will learn the skills they need to host successful Airbnb properties in eastern Kentucky —from writing the listing description, to learning their market, to complying with local tax and business regulations.
MACED developed the training in conjunction with the Brushy Fork Institute at Berea College, as well as two regional Airbnb hosts who both informed the curriculum and facilitate the training.
“The beauty of Airbnb is that it’s a fairly easy to use, secure platform that can adapt to many different situations—from a room in someone’s home to a remote cabin without electricity,” says MACED Project Coordinator, Leslie Ferguson-Oles. “Our local Airbnb hosts don’t have to try to be a chain hotel—they’re something that’s unique to their property and their style as a host. What’s important is learning how to market assets and manage what hosts may see as liabilities. For example, while we as local residents often see spotty cell service as a nuisance, visitors often delight in unplugging for the duration of their stay—as a host, you just need to know how to manage for that.”
Earlier this spring, How to Airbnb was offered in Whitley City in partnership with the McCreary County Chamber of Commerce and in Manchester in partnership with the community group Stay in Clay.
Photo Credit: Leslie Ferguson-Oles
The Airbnb training aligns with MACED’s goal of supporting the regional tourism sector and supporting entrepreneurial development. Says Leslie, “Airbnb is a generally low-risk way for people to try a literal cottage industry. They can test the concept and market, often times without much initial investment. It has the potential to support family incomes while connecting visitors in need of lodging with the region’s most precious asset—it’s people.”
The training came in response to research MACED has conducted over the past two years looking at what inputs are needed in the region to support the experience economy in the eastern Kentucky region. Lodging came to the surface as a shared need in many communities, not just for tourists, but also for traveling workers and visiting family members.
Through the generous support of Powell County Tourism, the upcoming training in Slade is offered free to participants. Those interested in learning more or registering can contact Serena Bowen at (606) 663-1161 or sladetrailtown@gmail.com.
