Model countries, sometimes also referred to as micronations, are entities that recognize themselves as independent yet are not accepted by world governments and major international organizations as such. Airbnb has seen the potential of these places and has launched an initative that takes travelers to two of them.
The first of the model countries is The Empire of Atlantium which is "the only country you can drive to from Australia." The micronation was established in 1981 by three teenagers and has completely separate sources of power, gas, and water from Australia.
The second destination is Danville which takes up 30 acres in Geneva, Florida and it even has its own airplane strip. The self-proclaimed mayor — Dan Shaw, and his wife, Deborah, have been developing properties to be Airbnb-ready.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Model Country Tourism
- Airbnb's initiative to take travelers to model countries can be an opportunity for the development and promotion of tourism in these unique and unrecognized entities
- Alternative Accommodation
- The promotion of stays in model countries by Airbnb can disrupt the traditional hotel and resort industry by offering travelers an alternative and unique accommodation experience
- Independent State Recognition
- The growing interest in model countries can lead to disruptive innovation opportunities in international relations and diplomacy by opening up discussions on their recognition as independent states
Industries Being Reshaped
- Tourism
- The model country tourism trend can have implications for the tourism industry, particularly in terms of the development and promotion of alternative and unique destinations
- Hospitality
- Airbnb's promotion of stays in model countries can disrupt the traditional hospitality industry by offering travelers a unique and unconventional accommodation option
- International Relations
- The discussion on the recognition of model countries as independent states can disrupt the diplomatic and political landscape, especially in terms of sovereign recognition and territorial disputes
