BANGKOK, June 8, 2022: Airbnb is releasing the first results of its latest survey* of hosts and guests worldwide, focusing on its findings from Thailand.
Hosts interviewed in Thailand, who used the platform last year, provided insight into how Airbnb hosts use their income in a time of runaway inflation, emerging as key contributors to the local economy and building strong connections with people.
Mitigating Rising Costs with Hosting
As external forces pushed up inflation around the world last year, revenue generated from accommodation became essential to meet higher prices for hosts in Thailand.
In response to a question about why they host their place on Airbnb:
- Nearly 35% of hosts surveyed in Thailand said one of the reasons they host is to earn money to help cover the rising cost of living;
- Nearly a third said they host to make money to make ends meet;
- More than half said they host to earn extra spending money;
- Nearly half said they host to make money to grow their business.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the food price index has steadily increased over the past year, reaching a record high in March 2022**. Amid rising prices for daily necessities, nearly 45% of Thai hosts surveyed said they use income generated from accommodation to buy food and other necessities that have become more expensive. In Thailand, most hosts surveyed said they use money earned from hosting to improve their accommodation.
Hosts surveyed also indicated that they expect hosting revenue to become more critical. More than 45% say they expect to become more dependent on host income in 12 months.
In addition to guests’ income and their local expenses, Thai hosts surveyed contribute to tourism income in Thailand.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents say they hire support staff, such as professional cleaners.
Hosts also like to share recommendations with travelers on restaurants and cafes (85%), outdoor sites and activities (two-thirds), lesser-known areas and places to visit (60%), and shopping and shops (nearly half), among others. .
In fact, more than three-quarters of Thai hosts surveyed recommended places travelers should visit in and around their Airbnb neighborhood.
People to People Connection – Hosting to meet people from different cultures.
Nearly 35% of hosts surveyed in Thailand host on Airbnb to meet people from all over the world. Nearly a third of hosts surveyed want to connect with people from different countries to learn more about their culture and share more about thai culture.
*Based on a survey of 87,070 Airbnb listings booked between June 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. All additional host-centric survey data in this report comes from this survey.
**https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en
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