Airbnb has backed Sadiq Khan’s London Borough of Culture awards by providing funding to promote healthy tourism in the winning communities.

The online hospitality service will donate cash to the ‘Listen Local’ programmes in Waltham Forest and Brent, the Borough of Culture winners for 2019 and 2020 respectively.

The funding comes from Airbnb’s community tourism programme, which aims to strengthen communities, empower citizens and preserve and promote local culture.

Listen Local will pair up writers with creative talent in their areas to unearth hidden stories about their community’s unique people and places.

Whether these stories are told through film, music, theatre or art, events will take place in unexpected neighbourhood locations allowing travellers to uncover a variety of cultural gems.

Earlier this year, the Mayor of London announced £1.35 million for each winning borough to deliver an ambitious line-up of cultural activities inspired by the UK City and European Capital of Culture programmes.

Natasha Mytton Mills, UK policy manager at Airbnb, said: “With more guests than ever using Airbnb to live like a local, the vibrant streets and communities that make up the entire city are attracting visitors to see how Londoners really live.

“We’re delighted that the community tourism programme has been able to play a part in nurturing and celebrating the talent that sits within these boroughs, and look forward to seeing how the London Borough of Culture partnership can continue to inspire visitors by promoting London’s creativity, as well as hospitality.”

Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons said: “It’s great news that Airbnb has stepped forward to support our London Boroughs of Culture in bringing their creativity to even more people.

“Too often, Londoners and visitors to our capital miss out on the local cultural experiences which help make our city such an inspiring place to be.

“‘Listen Local’ will build on our efforts to promote culture for all Londoners and will further help nurture local talent to secure our creative future for years to come.”