Thai Airbnb hosts have served more than 1.2 million guest arrivals over the past 12 months and earned 4 billion baht (US$127.36 million).
Airbnb’s head of public policy for Southeast Asia, said the Thai host community earned a combined US$119 million (4 billion baht) in supplemental income from February 2017 to February 2018.
Ms Goh said the 1.2 million guests represent 66% year-on-year growth in arrivals.
She attributed the growth to the increasing acceptance of the hospitality platform among Thais as an opportunity to earn extra income and welcome guests from around the world.
Bangkok and Phuket contributed more than half of host earnings and guest arrivals over the past 12 months. Airbnb hosts in Bangkok earned 1.1 billion baht by sharing their homes with 485,000 guests.
In Phuket, the strong vacation rental market helped generate close to 995 million baht for hosts, with the median host income reaching 108,000 baht annually. Ms Goh said there were more than 4 million guest arrivals in Southeast Asia last year.
This strong number reflects an increasing desire among travellers for unique, authentic and independent travel.
Airbnb has said its platform is complementing — rather than competing with — the global hotel industry. Hosts on Airbnb are opening up Thailand to visitors who want to stay in neighbourhoods and communities away from traditional tourist hotspots.
Founded in 2008, Airbnb's mission is to create a world where people can have a sense of belonging when they travel by being connected to local cultures and having unique travel experiences.
The company's community marketplace provides access to millions of accommodations from apartments and villas to castles and tree houses in more than 65,000 cities and 191 countries. Airbnb has said its its platform is complementing -- rather than competing with -- the global hotel industry.
Hosts on Airbnb are opening up Thailand to visitors who want to stay in neighbourhoods and communities away from traditional tourist hotspots, as well as families who prefer to vacation together in one room.
Source :Bangkok Post (Business)
