Report: Airbnb’s contribution to the Indonesian economy post pandemic

New research from Oxford Economics found Airbnb is an important pillar of Indonesia’s tourism industry, with its activities contributing approximately USD$975 million (IDR 14.4 trillion) to Gross Domestic Product and supporting more than 93,000 jobs in Indonesia in 2022¹.  

The report also highlighted the powerful multiplier effect Airbnb guest spending has within local communities. In 2022, Airbnb guests spent a total of USD$1.1 billion (IDR 15.7 trillion) in Indonesia in areas such as transportation, restaurants, and retail stores, but also arts and entertainment.

It details the indelible contribution made by Airbnb guests to tourism across the nation. In 2022, international guests accounted for a significantly larger portion of total guest spending in Indonesia. These travellers made up 76% of the total Airbnb guest spending in Indonesia in 2022, totalling to over USD 800 million (IDR 11.9 trillion).

The report also explores two profound changes in travel behaviour since the pandemic: the dispersal of tourism away from urban areas, and long-term stays driven by the emergence of flexible work arrangements. 

“Airbnb has clearly played a major role in the resilience and rebirth of the Indonesian travel and tourism sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Airbnb has been at the heart of some of the trends reshaping the nation’s travel and tourism industry, including the broader shift in travel away from cities and towards more rural communities, and the increase in demand for long-stay trips, exemplified by the live and work anywhere phenomenon.”

James Lambert, Director for Economic Consulting in Asia for Oxford Economics

“The economic contribution to both GDP and jobs driven by travel on Airbnb in Indonesia has created powerful economic ripple effects that have enabled the growth of local businesses, such as shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes — which are often central to how travellers experience a destination — and created job opportunities for the locals.

The growth of the long-term stays segment since 2020 — enabled by flexible work policies  — is helping destinations attract guests who stay longer and spend more per trip. 

Travel is now more dispersed, and so the economic benefits are being shared across more destinations, enabling a valuable economic contribution to rural and regional areas. This dispersal is being driven by Hosts on Airbnb and in turn creating economic opportunities for communities. 

We are committed to partnering with governments and local communities to rebuild Indonesia’s tourism economies in a way that is equitable, inclusive, responsible and sustainable.”

Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan