Hull residents urged to rent out rooms due to lack of hotel rooms
Hull residents are being encouraged to rent out spare rooms during Hull's appointment as UK City of Culture 2017 due to a lack of hotel rooms in the city.
During the naked art project 'Sea of Hull' by Spencer Tunick last month, in which 3,200 people took part, all the city's hotels were full.
According to Airbnb, listings in Hull have increased by 227% in the last year, with the average host in Hull earning £127 a week.
To launch the Homestay campaign, encouraging residents to turn spare rooms into accommodation for visitors, Hull 2017 and Visit Hull and East Yorkshire commissioned Yorkshire interior designer Linda Barker to create an outdoor show room. Those who sign up to the challenge will then be able to sign up for 'The Big Welcome' training, offered by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire to hospitality and tourism professionals, which aims to develop knowledge and enthusiasm and create ambassadors for Hull.
Anthony Yates, visitor economy manager for Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, said: "We want each and every guest to have a fantastic experience and leave with a lasting impression that Hull is a city with a personality like no other."
Martin Green, CEO and director of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, added: "What better way is there to learn about a culture than to dive in at the deep end and live with its people who can offer an authentic home from home experience?"
