Partnering with the Tejano Center to bring the Airbnb Academy to Houston
Key Takeaways
- Airbnb and the Tejano Center will host the first-ever Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy in Houston on February 27.
- Through the Academy, more Houston residents will learn how they can become hosts on Airbnb and benefit from the economic opportunity of hosting.
- Hosts on Airbnb have earned $250B+ through the end of 2023, with the typical host in Houston earning $8,700 in 2023.
Key Takeaways
- Airbnb and the Tejano Center will host the first-ever Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy in Houston on February 27.
- Through the Academy, more Houston residents will learn how they can become hosts on Airbnb and benefit from the economic opportunity of hosting.
- Hosts on Airbnb have earned $250B+ through the end of 2023, with the typical host in Houston earning $8,700 in 2023.
As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, Airbnb is proud to partner with the Tejano Center for Community Concerns (Tejano Center) to host the first-ever Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy in Houston. The Tejano Center is a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved communities through a variety of programs and services.
Since launching in the US in 2021, the Airbnb Academy has provided thousands of individuals from all communities a pathway to entrepreneurship by becoming hosts on Airbnb. The Academy program leverages the resources and reach of Airbnb with the professional and cultural expertise of local partners—like the Tejano Center—equipping individuals with the skills to become a successful host and gain a range of transferable skills.
Airbnb will host its first Academy session with the Tejano Center on February 27, 2025, which will include an introduction to Airbnb and the economic opportunity hosting can provide. During the Academy, participants will gain direct access to experienced hosts on Airbnb who share their expertise, lessons learned, and what has worked best for their hosting journey.
“At Tejano Center, we are dedicated to providing opportunities that strengthen our community and create pathways to economic success. Partnering with Airbnb for this Academy aligns perfectly with our mission. By equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to succeed as hosts, we are empowering families and individuals to build financial security and independence.”
—Dr. Adriana Tamez, President & CEO of Tejano Center
Airbnb’s commitment to the City of Houston
The Airbnb Academy in Houston with the Tejano Center is the latest step in our broader commitment to supporting the City of Houston. Since 2021, Airbnb has donated nearly $200,000 to nonprofits in Houston, and nearly $400,000 to the state of Texas through the Airbnb Community Fund.1
And last year, to support those impacted by Hurricane Beryl in Houston, Airbnb.org worked with the Tejano Center and another Houston nonprofit, Alexander JFS, to offer free, temporary housing to hundreds of people displaced from their homes.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Tejano Center to bring the Airbnb Academy to Houston. Houston is a vibrant city known for its rich culture, warm hospitality, and strong entrepreneurial spirit. Through this partnership, we hope to empower more local residents to take advantage of the economic opportunities that come from sharing their home.”
—Luis Briones, Airbnb Senior Policy Manager for Texas
For many local residents, hosting on Airbnb is an economic lifeline. According to a 2023 survey of Airbnb hosts in Houston, for example, 56 percent of hosts use the money they earn from hosting to keep up with rising costs of living, and more than 30 percent say hosting on Airbnb has helped them stay in their home. In 2023 alone, hosts in the US collectively earned approximately $24 billion by opening up their home to travelers, with the typical host in Houston earning approximately $8,700 over the year.2
With major events on the horizon in Houston—including the recent “Album of the Year” winner’s highly anticipated stadium tour, Comicpalooza, the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the demand for stays on Airbnb in Houston is only expected to grow. For example, searches for stays on Airbnb in Houston over the dates of the upcoming concert on June 28-29 have surged more than 620 percent compared to similar dates last year.3 The Airbnb Academy with the Tejano Center will help local residents learn how to leverage these opportunities to earn extra income while helping the City of Houston accommodate an influx of visitors.
To learn more about the Academy and upcoming sessions, please visit our Academy information page.