Airbnb is looking to foster a greater sense of “community” among its customers with the launch of a new quarterly magazine, Pineapple.

The peer-to-peer property rental service will distribute 18,000 copies of Pineapple for free to its hosts across global markets, with a limited number of copies available through retail outlets in Europe and North America. An online version will also be produced.

Airbnb has named the title Pineapple after the fruit, which became a symbol of hospitality in colonial New England due to seafarers bringing the products from Caribbean islands.

The first 128-page magazine, priced at £9 ($12), will carry features on three key global cities, San Francisco, London and Seoul. However, it will not carry advertising.

The brand hopes the magazine will eventually become an “active forum for people to tell stories, learn more about the world and great places to visit”.

Airbnb CMO Jonathan Mildenhall said: “Travel is about more than sightseeing and consuming, it’s about connections and community. Pineapple will combine the emotional and practical sides of travelling by giving a comprehensive guide to neighbourhoods and cities, as well as capturing the sense of belonging that comes from a memorable trip.”

In September, Airbnb hired Starcom to its global media account. The account is to be led out of the agency’s Chicago office.