Airbnb Celebrates Women Entrepreneurs with #HostWithHer

• Airbnb hosts a power-packed #HostWithHer panel with Lara Dutta, Pooja Dhingra, Shivina Kumari and Anne Jyrwa ahead of International Women’s Day
• Women comprise 54% of Airbnb’s global host community
• In 2019, women hosts worldwide earned over USD14.9 billion through hosting on Airbnb
• In India, women make up 34% of Airbnb’s Stays Hosts and 40% of Experience Hosts
• Airbnb reveals women hosts in India earned over US$14 million (Rs. 100 Crore approx.) in 2019

This International Women’s Day, Airbnb celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of its female host community with #HostWithHer, illustrating how digital tourism has played a key role in their journey to success as travel entrepreneurs.

According to the latest Airbnb data, women entrepreneurs are pioneering new markets and fulfilling untapped customer needs through innovative businesses. In fact, women are increasingly fostering successful entrepreneurship in the burgeoning travel and tourism segment. There are more women than men in Airbnb’s global community (54% of Airbnb’s Stays hosts and 50% of Airbnb’s Experience hosts globally are women), highlighting the strong potential for women to emerge as global business leaders in offering unique stays and travel experiences.

In India, women make up 34% of Airbnb’s Stays hosts and 40% of Experience hosts. Women hosts also generated an estimated combined income of over USD 14 million (Rs. 100 Crore approx.) in 2019, a significant increase of 40% from incomes generated in the previous year. Data also revealed that Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Jaipur are the top 5 cities in India with the highest number of women hosts.

“Airbnb wants to partner women hosts across the country by empowering them to pursue their passion. Entrepreneurship among women not only boosts the economy through job creation, but also delivers transformational social outcomes for them. In 2019, Indian women hosts earned over US$14 million (100 crores approx.) and we are happy to be a catalyst for enabling women to become digitally savvy and financially independent” – Mr. Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Manager, Airbnb India

This year, Airbnb’s regional #HostWithHer campaign spotlights a variety of inspirational women hosts across Asia Pacific, and how women are increasingly pursuing unconventional career paths and empowering fellow women to join their journey. This is in line with Airbnb’s commitment to provide a platform globally for women to follow their passion of becoming hospitality entrepreneurs and lead an independent life. In line with the campaign launch, Airbnb has unveiled a dedicated #HostWithHer campaign page at http://www.airbnb.com/HostWithHer-IN featuring these stories, as well as recommendations for women-powered Airbnb Stays and Experiences.

In India, ‘#HostWithHer’ was brought to life through a panel discussion featuring actress Lara Dutta, entrepreneur and culinary expert Pooja Dhingra, Executive Director of the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation Shivina Kumari, and Airbnb Host Anne Jyrwa. Through the panel discussion, panelists discussed their entrepreneurial journey and how travel inspires them.

“I see travel as a way to build familial bonds as we love exploring destinations which we all can enjoy. Amidst our busy schedules, family trips enable us to spend time together and reconnect with one another. We enjoy exploring the local culture and off the beaten path destinations.” – Lara Dutta, Actor.

“Travel is my lifeline as time and again it has inspired me to achieve my best. I have always brought back something special from my travels, including the inspiration for my business. Encouraging me to take a step away from the familiar, I have made new friends and experienced new places like a local during my travels.” – Pooja Dhingra, Culinary Expert and Entrepreneur.

Businesses led by women hosts who are part of a strong community in India, have a multiplier effect on local economies by offering employment, boosting incomes through socio-economic development and encouraging other women to join in and start their own exciting journeys, fulfilling their passion for travel and hospitality.

In 2019, Airbnb also partnered with the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation to create economic empowerment opportunities for women in the rural parts of Rajasthan by helping them become Airbnb hosts and have the opportunity to open their homes to tourists from around the world. The partnership also aims to help create social impact experiences to promote local culture and unique handicrafts made by local women in Rajasthan. Airbnb’s Social Impact Experiences are inspiring activities hosted by nonprofits that connect travelers (and locals) to their causes. Hosting an experience is a great way for organizations to promote awareness, create long-term advocates, and raise funds. Airbnb waives its fees, so 100% goes directly to the nonprofit.

“As the world celebrates and uplifts women this International Women’s Day, I am proud to represent the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation in Airbnb’s #HostWithHer campaign. Through our partnership with Airbnb, we have successfully brought financial independence to the foundation women across Rajasthan. With the Airbnb Social Impact Experience, the foundation women have got the opportunity to share their culture & skills with travellers from across the globe,” said Shivina Kumari, Executive Director, Princess Diya Kumari Foundation.

“Being an Airbnb Host has been a fantastic journey. I have been a host on the platform since 2016 and have had the chance to interact with people from across the globe. Moreover, putting up my Shillong home on Airbnb has not only helped fuel my economic independence but also given me a chance to understand how to operate a standalone business entity on my own. Signing up as a host has been a tremendous journey of self-growth for me and I encourage women across the country to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit in any way they can,” said Airbnb Host Anne Jyrwa.

For more information, visit: http://www.airbnb.com/HostWithHer-IN

**Based on Airbnb internal data measuring the number of guests who have self-identified as female, all time, as of February 2020.

Based on Airbnb internal data measuring host earnings in 2019 for hosts who have self-identified as female. Based on Airbnb internal data as of February 10, 2020.

Based on Airbnb internal data measuring percentage of self-identified female Homes hosts by country, as of Feb 10, 2020 (filtered by at least 100 women hosts).

Based on Airbnb internal data measuring percentage of self-identified female Experiences hosts by country, as of Feb 10, 2020 (filtered by at least 100 women hosts).

Based on more than 68,000 responses to a voluntary survey sent to a representative sample of Airbnb host and guest accounts around the world who identify as women. No payment or other incentive was provided in exchange for completing the survey.

Based on Airbnb internal data measuring percentage of self-identified female guests by country, all time (filtered by at least 100 women guests).