Global home-sharing platform Airbnb supported approximately 1.11 lakh jobs across India in 2024, contributing ₹2,400 crore in wages, according to the Economic Impact of Airbnb in India report released in May 2025.
Commissioned by Airbnb and developed by Oxford Economics, the report highlights the platform’s growing influence on India’s tourism and hospitality sectors, particularly through domestic travel and allied economic activity.
Airbnb’s presence accounted for 0.5% of India’s travel and tourism GDP in 2024 and supported 0.2% of tourism-related employment—equivalent to one in every 417 jobs in the sector.
Domestic Travel Drives Growth
A key finding of the report is the dominance of domestic travellers, who made up 91% of Airbnb guests in India in 2024, up from 79% in 2019.
This surge was attributed to increased interest from younger Indian users and a broader shift toward local travel experiences.
International guests primarily came from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
On average, guests stayed two nights and spent ₹11,000 per day on non-accommodation essentials such as dining, shopping, and transport.
Airbnb Spending Patterns and Sectoral Impact
Airbnb guest spending in India reached ₹11,200 crore in 2024, covering both accommodation and non-accommodation expenses.
Of every ₹10,000 spent in-destination:
- ₹3,800 went to restaurants
- ₹2,400 to transport
- ₹2,100 to shopping
- ₹900 to arts and entertainment
- ₹800 to groceries
This spending supported employment across multiple sectors. The report estimates:
- 38,000 jobs in transport and storage
- 19,600 in food and beverage services
- 16,800 in wholesale and retail trade
- 10,700 in manufacturing
These roles translated into tangible wage benefits, including:
- ₹810 crore in transport and storage
- ₹290 crore in manufacturing
- ₹260 crore in real estate
Boost to Non-Urban Destinations
The report also noted a significant rise in Airbnb’s footprint beyond major cities.
The non-urban share of gross booking value (GBV) reached 16% in 2024—three times higher than in 2019.
This trend reflects growing interest in rural and lesser-known destinations, contributing to micro-entrepreneurship and small business growth across India.
Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Head for Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, emphasized the platform’s role in enabling inclusive economic growth: “Travel today is transformative, and we’re delighted to see Airbnb contributing meaningfully to India’s economy through our vibrant network of hosts and guests”.
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