Airbnb, as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism and the upgrading of public spaces in the cities where it operates, is providing funding to the Municipality of Athens, through the Athens Partnership, to support work on the historic Lycabettus Hill.
This investment is part of a targeted upgrade program, for easier access and a better experience for residents and visitors of the city of Athens, to one of the most well-known and beloved spots in its center.
As part of its collaboration with the Municipality of Athens, Airbnb is financially supporting the restoration of many different points of Lycabettus, including the wooden fence along the entire length of the hill, which functions not only as a natural entrance but also as a symbolic threshold to one of the city’s most emblematic open cultural monuments. This project is expected to ensure smoother access for visitors and residents, while contributing to the preservation of an important cultural and green landmark of Athens.
The Mayor of Athens, Mr. Haris Doukas, emphasized regarding the collaboration with Airbnb: “Lycavittos Hill is not only a green recreational space for Athenians, but also one of the most popular destinations for visitors from all over the world. We have already undertaken important initiatives to enhance visitor safety and upgrade the overall experience in the area. We have planted more than 1,250 new trees, repaired dozens of wooden bridges and restored the irrigation systems on most of the hill, which had been experiencing problems since the 2000s. With the collaboration with Airbnb, we are taking another step towards improving the image and access to Lycabettus Hill, an area-symbol of our city.”
Lycabettus Hill is an iconic landmark of Athens with a special cultural value, as the Theater has hosted concerts, festivals and various artistic events for more than five decades. At the same time, it remains one of the most beloved destinations in the city, offering residents and visitors a unique green haven in the center of the capital. Airbnb’s collaboration with the Municipality of Athens confirms the commitment of both parties to create a more beautiful and accessible public space that will continue to inspire and unite Athenians and visitors to the city.
Ms. Valentina Reino, Head of Public Policy & Campaign for Airbnb in Italy, Greece and Southern Europe, said about the collaboration with the Municipality: “At Airbnb, we believe in the power of the cities and communities where we operate. Our goal is to contribute to a more responsible and sustainable form of travel, to highlight local cultural heritage and to enhance the visitor experience, while improving the daily lives of residents.
Our collaboration with the Municipality of Athens for the restoration of Lycabettus Hill reflects this commitment in practice. By contributing to the reconstruction of the paths, we seek to ensure a more accessible environment for all, while preserving one of the most emblematic and green spaces in Athens, where tourists and residents will be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city from above.
We will continue to invest in initiatives that highlight the unique character of each city, encourage meaningful travel experiences and contribute to the creation of welcoming public spaces that unite people and communities.”
