Visegrad Insights

Report:
A look at regional home sharing trends across the
Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia
Contents
Introduction: Helping the Visegrad Countries Welcome the World / page 3

Overview of the Airbnb Community in the Visegrad Countries / page 6

Economic Activity with Airbnb in the Visegrad Countries / page 13

Country Case Study: Czech Republic / page 15

Country Case Study: Hungary / page 17

Country Case Study: Poland / page 19

Country Case Study: Slovakia / page 21

Experiences: New Age of Healthy Tourism / page 23

All Definitions / page 24

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communities to guests through authentic and affordable travel, while positively
impacting locals who share their homes. In order to capture some of these
trends, the following insights report looks into the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland and Slovakia, the so-called Visegrad Group.

Opening the
Visegrad countries
up to the world
Travel and tourism today account
for 10 percent of the global GDP and
one in every 11 jobs, according to
the World Travel & Tourism Council.
The World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO) projects international
tourist arrivals worldwide to grow
at a rate of 4-5% in 2018, including
the region of Central and Eastern
Europe. As tourism increases, it
is critical that as many people as
possible are benefiting – and right
now not all tourism is created equal.
Airbnb is helping to ensure this
growth is healthy and sustainable by
being available to communities and
populations that traditionally have
tourism. Airbnb helps open these
communities to guests through
authentic and affordable travel, while
positively impacting locals who share
their homes. In order to capture some
of these trends, the following insights
report looks into the Czech Republic,
Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, the so-
called Visegrad Group.
Kilometers of mountain ranges, vineyards and rural
villages surrounded by fields, lakes, medieval castles and
cities buzzing with activity and entrepreneurship of locals:
the Visegrad Group’s incredible scenery and culture-
packed towns and villages, as well as delicious food have
been celebrated by visitors for decades. Most travellers to
this region in the past century might have already stayed
with a local in one of the numerous homes with typical
“Zimmer frei” boards. This only confirms a long and proud
history of local hospitality.

been unable to fully benefit from

3
What has changed however is the global access
that technology has brought to local home sharers.
Airbnb as a platform has simply given more people
the opportunity to share their homes in a more
efficient manner, and has helped to open up these
communities to guests from around the world. In the
past year, 2.7 million inbound travelers have been
welcomed by over 36,000 hosts on Airbnb across the
Visegrad Group. This has grown from 150,000 guests
on Airbnb in 2013.

This, in turn, is providing a significant economic boost

to locals and their communities: The typical Airbnb
host in Visegrad countries made just under €2,000
by sharing their space for 31 nights last year. The
economic activity generated by hosts and guests on
Airbnb in 2017 in the Visegrad Group is estimated at
nearly €1 billion.

Airbnb is also helping to spread tourism footfall out

of city centres and has provided accommodation
options in previously undiscovered parts of the
country. While capital cities will always be a popular
destination for visitors, guest arrivals on Airbnb
outside of the Visegrad capitals is growing at a much
faster pace. Domestic travel has also seen a surge
in popularity. In fact almost one fifth of all Airbnb
travellers to the Visegrad countries came from the
Visegrad countries. This number has increased by 89%
compared to last year.

Home sharing is healthy tourism by virtue of being

not only inclusive but also sustainable, helping people
create new economic opportunities for themselves
in the homes and communities where they live, and
helping emerging destinations welcome more visitors
in a scalable, sustainable way. With up to 97 percent
of the accommodation charge remaining in the
hands of hosts, and 41 percent of guests’ spending
occurring within the neighbourhoods where they stay,
the benefits of home sharing are significant for the
Visegrad Group.

1
World Travel & Tourism Council: Travel & Tourism Economic
Impact 2017

2
UN World Tourism Organisation: 2017 International Tourism
Results - the highest in seven years

3
This common expression originates from German and means that
a place has a free room for travellers.

4
36,000
Active Airbnb hosts across the
Visegrad countries in 2017

2.7 Million
Airbnb guests in the Visegrad
countries in 2017

€1 Billion
Economic activity generated by
Airbnb hosts and guests across the
Visegrad countries in 2017

5.9 Million
Airbnb guest arrivals in the
Visegrad countries since 2013

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Healthy Tourism for
Hosts, Guests and Cities
around the World
Founded in August 2008, Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list and book
accommodation in more than 81,000 cities and 191 countries around the world. Airbnb allows
travellers to connect to unique local experiences at any price point. The Visegrad countries now
count over 36,000 hosts on Airbnb who have welcomed 2.7 million guests in the past year.

Hosts

Hosts on Airbnb in Visegrad countries have been
welcoming guests into their homes since 2009. The
vast majority of Airbnb hosts are regular community
members who rent their homes occasionally
throughout the year, earning modest but significant
supplemental income to help make ends meet while
sharing local knowledge. This is particularly true for
senior hosts who may have left full-time employment,
or those without a regular income. Hosts on Airbnb
are local ambassadors that offer huge value to guests
by providing insider recommendations for local
restaurants, shops and sites. The platform allows
hosts to put their hometown on a global map, and
helps guests make an authentic local connection.

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Host stats

36,400 €1,850 31
Active hosts on Airbnb Annual earnings for a Nights hosted per year
typical host for a typical listing

39 Host
gender
Male
17
Average host age 48% Female Average years in
52% hometown

43% 55% 32%

Hosts use Airbnb to help Hosts use earnings from Hosts use Airbnb earnings
afford staying in their home hosting on rent, mortgage, to make ends meet
home improvement and
other household expenses

7% 38% 14%
Hosts are retired Hosts are employed Hosts are active in Art,
as freelancers Design and Creative
Services

88% 92%
Hosts engage in eco- Hosts recommend local
friendly practices cafes to Airbnb guests

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Airbnb listings visited in 2017

This snapshot of Airbnb listings across the Visegrad countries highlights

the extent to which the platform is used across the region. The variety of
accommodation and flexible approach has helped diversify travel, providing
access to previously lesser-known and lesser-visited towns and villages.

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Host story: Jaroslav
Host on Airbnb in Prague, Czech Republic

“I give total attention to my guests.

I make sure I meet them in person,
show them around and explain
everything to them. I am 77 years
old and being a host really suits me.
I am able to block off my calendar
whenever my family want to come
and visit. My boys spend the summer
with me so I block off the days that
aren’t convenient. And for the rest of
the time I accept bookings - and this
really supplements my income.

I have guests from all over the

world. I’ve had people from China,
from Korea, from the US. I have
five stars for all my reviews and
I’m a superhost. I have an unusual
and spacious apartment with an
amazing view of the Prague castle.
I tell my guests the best places to
get groceries, where to eat and give
them all the tips about my house.”

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Guests
Responsible home sharing is a new engine for the Visegrad Group’s tourism and the economy.
Airbnb grows the tourism pie, attracting many guests who might otherwise not have come, or
been able to stay as long.

With so many listings at different price points, the flexibility of the platform appeals to visitors who may not
have been able to afford to travel previously, and encourages them to stay longer. It also gives them the chance
to explore beyond the obvious tourist destinations. Guests also have the opportunity to enjoy the warmth
and comforts of their own home, while meeting friendly locals along the way. It allows visitors travelling to the
Visegrad countries to have a genuine local experience. This results in positive experiences that make them want
to return.

2.7M 3.3 1.6M

Total inbound Average length of Nights hosted per year for
guests stay per guest a typical listing

2.6 55% 4.6

Number of people in the Inbound guest Average host rating
average party size growth (out of 5)

€87-99
Spends average Airbnb
guest per day

Guests
2013 150,00

Over the past five years, close to 6 million guests

have stayed in a listing on Airbnb in the Visegrad 2014 387,00
Group.

2015 905,500

2016 1,736,000

2017 2,693,000
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Guests
Guests from around the world are using Airbnb to visit the Visegrad countries.

Europe

North America
75% Asia

>10% >5%
Africa
& Middle East

Latin America <5% Australia

<5% <5%

Airbnb helps guests from all over the world visit the Visegrad countries, but the platform also helps facilitate
domestic travel. Approximately 3 in 4 of guests are arriving from Europe, and 25% of those European guests are
actually Visegrad residents. Meanwhile North America accounts for over 10% of all visitors travelling via Airbnb to
the Visegrad Group.

495,000 89%
Total inbound guests from the Inbound guest growth from the
Visegrad countries Visegrad countries

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Guest story: Eivind
Guest on Airbnb at Lake Balaton in Hungary

“Great house! Perfect for family vacation. Tamas and his mother are great
hosts. They recommend restaurants and beaches for you. Very child friendly
house, close to a playground. As for adults traveling without children, there
are lots of wine bars nearby as this is in the vinery district. House is small, very
clean, nice patio outside and not too warm because windows have shutters
which closes sun out and house is partly built in the ground so it will be colder.
Nice view, idyllic location.”

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Spreading Economic
Benefits to More People
and More Places
Airbnb is helping to drive tourism in the Visegrad countries by offering new, affordable and
alternative forms of accommodation. The platform also drives guests to new neighbourhoods
who may not have experienced tourism footfall previously, with local businesses subsequently
benefitting from the money spent in the area. Airbnb also provides affordable accommodation
during key events such as music festivals and sporting events, when other forms of
accommodation may inflate prices to increase revenue and do not offer sufficient capacity. Most
importantly, Airbnb opens up the opportunity for people to reach these regions.

Economic impact

Airbnb is hugely beneficial to local economies. On the
one hand, Airbnb hosts benefit from the additional
income, especially for senior hosts who may have
left full-time employment, or those without a regular
income. Hosts in the Visegrad countries earned €180
million combined during 2017.
On the other hand, guests may spend money in
the wider destination, but they spend a significant
amount locally, too. In the four Visegrad countries, the
average guest on Airbnb spends almost €100 a day,
and 41 percent of this is spent in the neighbourhoods
of the host’s property.

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The spending is spread across six main categories, provided with an economic boost. In total, guests on
most significantly in eating at local cafes and Airbnb in the Visegrad Group spent €817 million over
restaurants – which accounts for 34 percent of guest the course of 2017.
spending. Local shops and attractions are also

Airbnb guest spending per category

9%
Leisure
activities
& other
11% services
Transportation
34%
Cafes and
restaurants

12%
Groceries

17%
17% Cultural
Shopping activities

€180M + €817M = €997M

Host incomes + Guest spending across the total economic activity
Visegrad countries = generated by hosts and guests:

For many parts of the Visegrad Group not served
sufficiently by the traditional hospitality industry such
as eastern Slovakia, eastern Poland or South Moravia,
home sharing is giving these communities a way to
benefit more from tourism, particularly from visitors
who wish to venture beyond capitals to spend time
exploring the countryside.
Many rural communities shrink outside of traditional
holiday periods as people with country or seaside
homes close them up for winter and depart for cities.
These latent assets and their unrealised economic
potential are now being tapped through home
sharing, helping to keep these communities vibrant
throughout the year. We see evidence of the tourism
season lengthening: seasonal businesses operating
for longer, new food offerings launching, and greater
investment in tourist amenities.

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Czech Republic
Did you know? The Czech Republic is the leading Visegrad country in total guest
arrivals in the Visegrad Group.

COUNTRY CASE STUDY

Over the course of 2017, hosts on Airbnb in the Czech Republic welcomed over 1 million guests.
The typical host earned €2,100 over the year, with guests spending estimated at €324 million in the
country. Total economic activity is estimated at €399 million.

Hosts

11,100 €2,100 37
Active hosts Annual earnings for a Nights booked for a
typical host typical listing

38 Host gender

Average host age

Male Female
50%
50%

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Guests

1,020,000 3.2
Inbound guests in the Average length of
past year stay per guest

52% 108%
Year-to-year growth rate Year-to-year growth rate of
in total guest arrivals guest arrivals outside of Prague

Top 6 countries by guest arrivals

7% of all guests are Czech

Germany 137,300

United States 130,200

United
84,700
Kingdom

France 78,500

Czech
70,700
Republic

Russia 35,200

Economic activity

€75M €324M €399M

Host earnings Guest spending Total economic impact

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Hungary
Did you know? The average host age is among the highest in the Visegrad Group.

COUNTRY CASE STUDY

Over the past year-long period, hosts on Airbnb in Hungary welcomed over 800,000 guests. The
typical host earned €2,800 over the year, with guests spending estimated at €260 million in the
country. Total economic activity is estimated at €314 million.

Hosts

8,800 €2,800 43
Active hosts Annual earnings for a Nights booked for a
typical host typical listing

41 Host
gender

Average host age Male

Female
49%
51%

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Guests

801,000 3.5
Inbound guests in the Average length of
past year stay per guest

44% 54%
Year-to-year growth rate Year-to-year growth rate of guest
in total guest arrivals arrivals outside of Budapest

Top 6 countries by guest arrivals

5% of all guests are Hungarian guests

United
110,300
Kingdom

United States 86,900

France 64,100

Germany 61,100

Hungary 42,600

Spain 30,200

Economic activity

€54M €260M €314M

Host earnings Guest spending Total economic impact

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Poland
Did you know? Poland has the highest percentage of domestic tourism via Airbnb in
the Visegrad Group and 75% of all guests traveled to areas outside the capital city.

COUNTRY CASE STUDY

Over the past year-long period, hosts on Airbnb in Poland welcomed over 760,000 guests. The
typical host earned €1,400 over the year, with guests spending estimated at €208 million in the
country. Total economic activity is estimated at €253 million.

Hosts

14,400 €1,400 22
Active hosts Annual earnings for a Nights booked for a
typical host typical listing

38 Host
gender

Average host age

Male
50%
Female
50%

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Guests

766,000 3.1
Inbound guests in the Average length of
past year stay per guest

70% 69%
Year-to-year growth rate Year-to-year growth rate of
in total guest arrivals guest arrivals outside of Warsaw

Top 6 countries by guest arrivals

28% of all guests are Polish guests

Poland 216,000

United
80,300
Kingdom

Germany 61,100

United States 52,700

France 45,500

Spain 33,300

Economic activity

€45M €208M €253M

Host earnings Guest spending Total economic impact

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Slovakia
Did you know? Despite a relatively smaller number of guests, Slovakia had the
highest inbound guest growth in the Visegrad Group.

COUNTRY CASE STUDY

Over the past year-long period, hosts on Airbnb in Slovakia welcomed over 100,000 guests. The
typical host earned €1,300 over the year, with guests spending estimated at €25 million in the
country. Total economic activity is estimated at €31 million.

Hosts

2,200 €1,300 21
Active hosts Annual earnings for a Nights booked for a
typical host typical listing

39 Host
gender

Average host age

Male Female

58% 42%

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Guests

106,000 2.7
Inbound guests in the Average length of
past year stay per guest

83% 99%
Year-to-year growth rate Year-to-year growth rate of guest
in total guest arrivals arrivals outside of Bratislava

Top 6 countries by guest arrivals

14% of all guests are Slovak guests

Slovakia 14,700

United
9,300
Kingdom

Germany 7,900

Czech
7,700
Republic

United States 7,100

France 5,800

Economic activity

€6M €25M €31M

Host earnings Guest spending4 Total economic impact

4
Based on the minimum guest spending per night across the other three countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic)

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Experiences: New Age of
Healthy Tourism
To meet growing traveller demand for unique or different kinds of experiences, Airbnb
launched Experiences, an offer through which locals create unique activities, giving travellers
unprecedented access and deep insights into communities and places they may not otherwise
come across. This makes Airbnb’s Experiences a powerful antidote to mass produced tourism,
enabling travelers to experience a different and authentic side of a city through the local people,
while creating new economic opportunities by allowing locals to unlock their passions, talents and
interests.

2,500%
Global weekly guest bookings growth
from February 2017 to 2018

10,000
Experiences are available in more
than 180 cities worldwide

1000+
Cities will benefit from Airbnb
Experiences by the end of 2018

Today, Experiences are available in Prague and unique entertainment.

Budapest, with more places coming later this
year. As such, visitors to the Visegrad Group get
unprecedented access to communities, places and
things to do that they would never know through
traditional tourist travel. Using technology as a
platform, Airbnb Experiences opens up the world,
connects people and creates powerful cross cultural
connections across the Visegrad countries. Typically
Experiences may include classes and workshops,
biking, dancing, walking, boating, food and drink,
concerts and many other types of
Many of these Experiences represent Social Impact
Experiences that build on the inherent good of Airbnb
travel, empowering nonprofits by giving them a
platform to fundraise, promote their mission and by
driving Airbnb users to engage in social causes around
the globe. 100 percent of the proceeds go directly
to a nonprofit, all helping to diversify the country’s
tourism offer, promote healthy tourism, and enable
local hosts to turn their hobbies and passions into
economic opportunities.

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Notebooks
with a Soul
One of the most successful Social Impact Experiences in the Visegrad countries

Make your own handcrafted notebook from antique Czech magazines, books and posters using
traditional booking-binding methods. Your host, Václav, is a professional book designer and the
founder of SKOBA sheltered workshop. Using ancient pressing techniques, and with great skill
and passion, he will help you make a unique and beautiful souvenir from Prague.

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All Definitions
Annual earnings (typical Median value of total income earned by host during the one-year study
host): period. Annual earnings are presented for typical hosts.

Average length of stay: The average length of stay per guest, rather than per trip.

Guest: Airbnb users who stay in Airbnb listings.

Host: Airbnb users who rent space on Airbnb.

Listing (active): A property listed on Airbnb. Listings may include entire homes or apartments,
private rooms or shared spaces. Active listings are all listings that appear on
the website during a search. Active listings do not necessarily have availability
on a particular date or at all.

Listing types: Hosts can classify their listing in one of three different types: Entire Home /
Apartment Listings, Private Room Listings, and Shared Room Listings:

Entire home/Apartment A listing where the guest can book the entire home from the host. The host is
Listing: not present in the home during the guest’s stay.

Private room: A listing where the guest can book a private bedroom within a home. The
host may be present in other parts of the home during the guest’s stay, and
the guest may share common spaces like the kitchen, living room, and/or a
bathroom with the host.

Shared room: A listing where the guest can book a communal space, such as a shared
bedroom or a living room sofa bed, within a home. The host may be present in
the home during the guest’s stay, and the guest may share common spaces
like the kitchen and/or a bathroom with the host.

Nights hosted (by listing): Total number of nights a given listing is booked through Airbnb in the study
period. Only listings that were active as of the start of the study period, and
had at least one booking during the study period are included, in order to
present the most representative annual values for hosting activity on Airbnb.

Nights hosted (typical host): Median value of total nights hosted per host during the one-year study
period. Nights hosted are presented for typical hosts.

Inbound guest: All guests visiting a particular location. Inbound guests includes guests who
live in the same location they may have stayed in

Outbound guest: All guests from a particular location who booked a listing on Airbnb,
regardless of where the listing is. There may be some minor overlap between
inbound guests and outbound guests. All guests associated with a particular
reservation are attributed to the location of the booking guest.

Total economic activity: The economic activity supported in a community directly related to Airbnb
host and guest spending. This number is an estimate, calculated based on
host earnings from Airbnb bookings data and guest spending estimates
based on a survey sent to guests.

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All Definitions
Typical host: The median host for all hosts who had at least one active listing as of the start
of the study period and at least one booking during the study period. Typical
host definitions are used to calculate annual earnings and nights hosted.
Presenting the median value for all hosts who were active as of the start of
the study period provides the most representative values for the Airbnb host
community.

Visegrad Group: A group of four countries in Central Europe - Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, Slovakia.

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