Airbnb Celebrates Thai Women Hosts’ Spirit this International Women’s Day

• 55% of all Hosts in Thailand are women
• Chiang Mai is home to the highest percentage of women Hosts in Thailand
• Leading Thai women chefs Chef Gai (Brioche from heaven) and Chef Nooror (Blue Elephant) become Airbnb Experience Hosts for International Women’s Day

Ahead of International Women’s Day, Airbnb today shared that women Hosts in Thailand represent an estimated 55% of all Stays and Experiences Hosts in the country. Chiang Mai is home to the highest percentage of women hosts in Thailand at approximately 60%, and ranks 9th in Airbnb’s global rankings of cities with the highest percentage of women Hosts.

Whether living in urban cities or rural communities across the country, Thai women Hosts have embraced Airbnb as a way to share their warm hospitality and connect with guests around the world, while earning extra income for their families and communities. Airbnb estimates that new women Hosts who have started hosting just one listing on Airbnb since the start of the pandemic have collectively earned more than US$600 million since last March. In Thailand, 53% of new Thai Airbnb Hosts since last March are female.

“Hosts are at the very heart of Airbnb and it is their local knowledge and cultural understanding that make them such an important part of the Airbnb travel experience,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Airbnb. “In Thailand, our women Airbnb Hosts are breaking down barriers and blazing new trails. They recognise Airbnb as a valuable platform that provides them with the opportunity to earn extra income. They see Airbnb as a way for them to become financially independent and a way to support their local communities and neighbourhoods.”

Enjoy New Airbnb Experiences Hosted by Famous Thai Women Chefs

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Airbnb is announcing two new Experiences hosted by leading women chefs in Thailand – Chef Gai (Thananya Kaikaew), founder and owner of popular dessert cafe Brioche from heaven, and Chef Nooror (Nooror Somany Steppe), founder and owner of heritage Thai fine dining restaurant Blue Elephant. 

Having navigated this traditionally male-dominated profession, Chef Gai has become a successful chef and business owner. The only female chef and dessert specialist on Iron Chef Thailand, Chef Gai will be hosting an exclusive, one-of-a-kind Airbnb Experience Enjoy Brioche from heaven on Saturday 13 March, where guests will enjoy a tour of her ‘Brioche from heaven’ cafe while learning the art of making the perfect brioche. Guests will also try Chef Gai’s signature brioche as well as chat with her about her inspiration behind becoming a chef and her culinary passions. 

“I’m excited to be collaborating with Airbnb this International Women’s Day to share my beloved ‘Brioche from heaven’ with Airbnb guests,” commented Chef Gai. “I look forward to sharing my passion for desserts with my guests, who will learn how to make brioche and pick up essential baking tips. Being a female chef can be tough in this industry, and I hope to share about my journey and inspire some future chefs from this Airbnb Experience.” 

The first female chef to cook at the UN Headquarters in New York and help prepare a gala dinner for 400 world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, Chef Nooror, is internationally acclaimed for her culinary skills and Blue Elephant restaurant chain.  

Chef Nooror will host an ongoing Airbnb Experience Heritage Cooking with Blue Elephant starting from 11 March, where she will bring guests on a gastronomic journey and teach them how to whip up her signature lamb massaman curry. She will also share personal cooking tips and insights into her journey to becoming the renowned professional female chef she is today. 

“As a female chef, I have faced and overcome many challenges along my journey,” shared Chef Nooror. “I’m honoured that I get to be a part of Airbnb’s International Women’s Day campaign where I can share my experience and Thai cooking know-how with Thais through this Airbnb Experience. I wish to encourage all Thai women to follow their dreams and pursue what they are passionate about, and I hope this Experience will inspire others.”

Enjoy these Experiences and more at https://www.airbnb.com/experiences. To find out more about hosting with Airbnb, get started at https://www.airbnb.com/host/experiences.