South African Airbnb hosts earned over R2 billion in 2021

Posted by Taylah Strauss on 25 March 2022

New data released by Airbnb shows that hosts across the world have earned a total of $150 billion since 2010, with hosts in South Africa earning almost R12 billion in the same time frame. That’s the equivalent to the cost of the International Space Station.

Between January and December 2021, hosts in South Africa collectively earned over R2 billion.

Airbnb

Picture: Unsplash

As borders reopened and travellers began to return, hosts on Airbnb were back in business. In Theewaterskloof Municipality, hosts earned around 65% more last year compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic and travel across the world came to a halt.

Using new data, Airbnb released the best time to open your home to travellers, based on when hosts earned the highest income throughout 2021:

  1. Heritage Day Weekend – on Friday, 24th September 2021, which marks Heritage Day in South Africa, demand on the platform was at a high, with the day being the most popular check-in day for South African guests in 2021.
  2. Christmas Eve payout – on Friday, 24th December 2021, South African Hosts earned almost R32 million. Many travellers decided to celebrate the festive season by taking a trip during the break, marking a big opportunity for Hosts.
  3. Summer travel –dates in December make up 100% of the top 10 days with the biggest host payout – with the biggest day on Tuesday 28th December. Summer holidays drove huge demand for travel in 2021 and resulted in millions of rands for Hosts in South Africa.
  4. Winter travel – over winter and the school holiday period, Hosts in South Africa earned more than R300 million (between June 1 2021 and August 31 2021)

‘With borders reopening and travel back on the agenda for many, looking back at last year proves there is a real opportunity for our hosts to welcome guests into their local communities, all while earning helpful cash on the side,’ said Velma Corcoran, Region Lead for Airbnb. ‘With the rising costs of living, the extra income could prove to be a real lifeline for many.’

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