Thai Airbnb hosts serve 1.2 million

Airbnb Thai hosts have served over 1.2 million guest arrivals in the past 12 months and earned 4 billion baht.

Mich Goh, Airbnb’s public policy manager for Southeast Asia, said the Thai hospitality community earned $119 million (Baht 4 billion) in additional revenue between February 2017 and February 2018.

Ms Goh said the 1.2 million guests represents a 66 per cent growth in year-on-year arrivals.

Goh: hosts offer a unique experience

She attributed the growth to the growing acceptance of the hospitality platform among Thais as an opportunity to earn extra income and host guests from around the world.

“There are over 61,400 listings in Thailand on Airbnb, and the median host income averages $2,100 or 67,000 baht per year,” Ms Goh said.

Bangkok and Phuket contributed more than half of host revenue and guest arrivals over the past 12 months. Airbnb hosts in Bangkok have earned 1.1 billion baht by sharing their homes with 485,000 guests.

In Phuket, the strong vacation rental market has generated nearly 995 million baht for hosts, with the median guest income reaching 108,000 baht per year.

Ms Goh said there were more than 4 million guest arrivals in Southeast Asia last year. This high number reflects a growing desire among travelers for unique, authentic and independent travel.

Founded in 2008, Airbnb’s mission is to create a world where people can feel they belong when they travel by being connected to local cultures and having unique travel experiences. The company’s community marketplace provides access to millions of homes, from apartments and villas to castles and treehouses in more than 65,000 cities and 191 countries.

Airbnb said its platform complements – rather than competes with – the global hospitality industry. Hosts on Airbnb open up Thailand to visitors who want to stay in neighborhoods and communities far from traditional tourist hotspots, as well as families who prefer to vacation together in one room.

The company has been optimistic about Thailand since launching Airbnb Experiences, which offers tours and other activities designed and led by local hosts. Ms. Goh said hosts give guests unique access to places and communities.

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