Brand USA and Airbnb Launch USA Country Collection of Online Experiences

While international travel is yet to start in earnest, Brand USA and Airbnb have partnered to present Online Experiences, which will help you to take a virtual tour.

Along with a new landing page highlighting a special collection of Airbnb Online Experiences that showcase the unique possibilities of the United States, Brand USA also introduces five Online Experiences.

These Online Experiences hosted by storytellers from United Stories—a Brand USA campaign launched in early 2019 as an open invitation for travellers to visit the USA, experience the warmth of the American people, and engage with the vast diversity of U.S. destinations—range from culinary traditions of the South to the art of spoken word poetry.

Said Tom Garzilli, chief marketing officer, Brand USA, “As the world longs to travel again, we are delighted to help travellers understand places more deeply, meet real people, and uncover local perspectives to activate their wanderlust.”

Created at the start of the pandemic as a way to allow people to connect, travel virtually and earn income from home, Airbnb Online Experiences are unique, handcrafted activities that immerse guests into each host's unique world.

Hosts include small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives who want to connect with travellers and introduce them to their community.

Said Chris Lehane, senior vice president for global public policy and communications at Airbnb, "In this moment we are in, where there are challenges to cross-border travel, this initiative will allow Airbnb hosts to open their virtual doors for people to experience the U.S. Our hope is that these Online Experiences will facilitate deeper connections between hosts and guests and encourage a future in real life trip.”

Some of the unique experiences are:

Explore Hidden Reefs in Hawaii (Hawaii) with pro-surfer-turned-ocean-scientist, Cliff Kapono -- During the Online Experience, Kapono will lead a virtual tour of one of Hawai’i’s most diverse coral gardens, Honoli'i Beach Park, as well as speak to the importance of responsible tourism, how science and nature merge on the Big Island, and how sustainability is vital to one of the most inspiring places in the world.

Go on a LGBTQ Historical Bar Crawl in New York with history buff Michael Ventriello,  founder and lead tour guide of Christopher Street Tours – He will share the history-making stories and significance behind three Greenwich Village bars, including the events that gave birth to the modern-day gay rights movement and leading up to the historical Stonewall Uprising. Participants will get to raise a glass, play trivia, and learn about the city’s iconic queer history at famous LGBTQ bars such as Julius’, the Stonewall Inn, and Cubbyhole.

Take a Nashville Cocktails & Distillery Tour in Tennessee with host and distillery lead mixologist Rachel Ramirez – Explore the past and present of Nelson's Green Brier Distillery with, and learn how Tennessee whiskey became world-famous. Originating in 1860 and created by distilling pioneer Charles Nelson, Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey was the first and largest selling brand of Tennessee Whiskey in the world in its pre-Prohibition heyday. Revived by Charles’ triple great grandsons, Andy and Charlie Nelson, Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery made its 21st century debut in Nashville in 2014, where the brothers have continued this generations long tradition of distilling, perfecting it through the years. The team will guide participants through the making of an Old Fashioned, share a few mixology how to’s, and walk participants through the whiskey distilling process.

Dig into, virtually of course, into Southern Food in Mississippi with Pro Chef Nick Wallace of Wallace Culinary – The chef’s Mississippi roots and classical French training have informed his unique take on Modern Mississippian cuisine which help you learn about the authentic Southern notion of soulful food culture. This Online Experience is ideal for special occasions, especially Sunday dinners, as well as for someone that really enjoys, or may be a little curious, about Southern food. You may also book a private session with the menu of your choice.

Know about Spoken Word Poetry in Ohio from none other than spoken word poet, artist, and filmmaker Chris Webb — Designated as one of the Most Interesting People in 2019 by Cleveland Magazine, he will introduce guests to the performative literary genre of Spoken Word Poetry, and how he uses his craft to ignite and promote healing through his own personal circumstances. Webb will lead participants in creating their own spoken word poetry and hone public speaking skills in a workshop setting.