By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with News Desk
Published on 2024-01-19 17:05:49
Africa’s most welcoming, innovative, and creative Airbnb Hosts were celebrated at the Airbnb Host Spotlight event, ahead of the Airbnb Africa Travel Summit in Johannesburg at the end of October. This event aimed to recognize the diverse Hosts in Africa and acknowledge exceptional Hosts for the hospitality they offer guests and their contribution to growing tourism in their communities.
Airbnb Regional Lead, Velma Corcoran, expressed how inspiring the passion and enthusiasm of the Hosts are and how essential local Hosts are in supporting the mission of creating a more inclusive tourism economy on the continent. Winners were honored in various categories, including Rural Stay, New Host, Academy Host, Sustainable Host, Host with iconic architecture and interiors, Unique Stay, and Private Room host.
The winners were selected based on Airbnb data, guest ratings and reviews, as well as input from a panel of judges. Hosting on Airbnb is proving to be an economic lifeline for many people across the continent. For example, a recent survey of South African Hosts found that hosting helps them afford the rising cost of living, and over a third say the additional income helps them make ends meet. The typical South African Host earns just over R32,500 – equivalent to approximately one month’s additional pay for the average income earner – by renting their space on Airbnb, which is helping many people with the climbing everyday living costs.
Local Hosts play an essential role in dispersing the benefits of tourism and supporting the local community. The Airbnb Host Spotlight event in Africa showcased the remarkable diversity of African Hosts, the exceptional stays they offer, and the important role they play in growing a more inclusive tourism economy on the continent.
The event recognized the outstanding contribution of Hosts in different categories and celebrated their role in promoting local tourism and providing authentic and enriching experiences for guests. The awards recognized Hosts from various African countries and underscored the valuable contribution of local Hosts to making Airbnb a unique and enriching experience for guests. Overall, the event highlighted the essential role of local Hosts in creating authentic, sustainable, and inclusive tourism experiences in Africa.
