This International Women’s Day, Airbnb revealed that all around the world women are benefiting from Airbnb, earning around $32 billion since the company’s founding.
In a statement, they stated that South Africa, female hosts make up 59.64% of the host community and earned a typical annual income of $2 039 (about R29 000) in 2018. Velma Corcoran, Country Manager for Airbnb South Africa said women hosts have outnumbered men hosts around the world.
“UN Women actually points to the sharing economy as one transformation that can be leveraged to have a positive impact on women. Our platform is powered by a growing worldwide community of female hosts who are connecting with guests, each other, and their local communities,” she said.
In the region, Airbnb has managed to support hosts, especially female hosts, through various initiatives. One of these is the Airbnb Africa Academy, which aims to provide support for a new generation of entrepreneurs.
By working with community-based and grassroots organisations, the Academy provides local hosts and co-hosts information and tools that they can use to create listings on Airbnb’s platform or creating a unique experience to further expand the role of local, healthy and inclusive opportunities in African tourism.
Source: iol.co.za
