Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS:  

How​ ​Airbnb​ ​connects  
the​ ​emerging​ ​economies
Table​ ​of​ ​contents 

Overview ​ ​02

Airbnb​ ​and​ ​the​ ​BRICS 05

Brazil 07

Russia 09

India 11

China 13

South​ ​Africa 15

Conclusion 17

Methodology 18

 
 
 
 
 

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​1 

Overview 

As​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​travel​ ​and​ ​tourism​ ​grows,​ ​reaching​ ​10​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​global​ ​GDP​ ​in​ ​2017,​ ​Airbnb​ ​is
bringing​ ​the​ ​economic​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​tourism​ ​to​ ​communities​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world​ ​that​ ​haven’t​ ​shared
in​ ​these​ ​benefits​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past​.1​ ​With​ ​97​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​listing​ ​price​ ​going​ ​directly​ ​to​ ​hosts,​ ​and​ ​42
percent​ ​of​ ​guests’​ ​spending​ ​occurring​ ​within​ ​the​ ​neighborhoods​ ​where​ ​they​ ​stay,​ ​the​ ​financial
impact​ ​of​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​can​ ​be​ ​significant​ ​for​ ​atypical​ ​travel​ ​destinations.​ ​Meanwhile,​ ​hosting
and​ ​traveling​ ​through​ ​Airbnb​ ​enables​ ​people​ ​to​ ​share​ ​experiences​ ​and​ ​cultures​ ​with​ ​each​ ​other,
understand​ ​each​ ​other,​ ​and​ ​eventually​ ​close​ ​the​ ​gap​ ​between​ ​each​ ​other.

This​ ​is​ ​an​​ ​especially​ ​promising​ ​value​ ​proposition​ ​for​ ​emerging​ ​destinations​ ​such​ ​as​ ​“The
BRICS”:​ ​the​ ​nations​ ​of​ ​Brazil,​ ​Russia,​ ​India,​ ​China​ ​and​ ​South​ ​Africa​.​ ​As​ ​quickly​ ​as​ ​interest​ ​in
tourism​ ​is​ ​growing,​ ​the​ ​UNWTO​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​traveler​ ​arrivals​ ​in​ ​emerging​ ​destinations​ ​will
increase​ ​at​ ​twice​ ​the​ ​rate​ ​of​ ​arrivals​ ​in​ ​advanced​ ​economies​ ​through​ ​2030:​ ​4.4​ ​percent​ ​per​ ​year
versus​​ ​2.2​ ​p​ercent.2​ ​China​ ​as​ ​a​ ​growing​ ​destination​ ​saw​ ​domestic​ ​traveler​ ​growth​ ​at​ ​11percent
and​ ​inbound​ ​traveler​ ​growth​ ​at​ ​3.8percent​ ​in​ ​2016.3​ ​The​ ​development​ ​of​ ​tourism​ ​not​ ​only​ ​brings
economic​ ​benefits​ ​but​ ​also​ ​reflects​ ​on​ ​positive​ ​social​ ​changes,​ ​empowering​ ​the​ ​vulnerable
groups​ ​and​ ​promoting​ ​undiscovered​ ​regions,​ ​for​ ​instance.

Airbnb​ ​has​ ​become​ ​a​ ​means​ ​of​ ​inclusive​ ​growth​ ​not​ ​only​ ​by​ ​connecting​ ​emerging​ ​economies
with​ ​advanced​ ​ones,​ ​but​ ​by​ ​connecting​ ​them​ ​to​ ​one​ ​another.​ ​Over​ ​10​ ​years​ ​have​ ​passed​ ​since
the​ ​BRICS​ ​established​ ​mechanisms​ ​to​ ​cooperate​ ​on​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​range​ ​of​ ​issues​ ​including​ ​trade​ ​and
economics,​ ​finance,​ ​agriculture,​ ​culture,​ ​education​ ​and​ ​tourism.​ ​In​ ​that​ ​time,​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​nations
have​ ​accounted​ ​for​ ​nearly​ ​50​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​global​ ​GDP​ ​growth​ ​and​ ​have​ ​come​ ​to​ ​account​ ​for​ ​22
percent​ ​of​ ​global​ ​GDP.4​ ​In​ ​this​ ​era​ ​of​ ​globalization,​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​are​ ​working​ ​together​ ​to​ ​embrace
opportunities​ ​and​ ​address​ ​challenges​ ​facing​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​By​ ​bridging​ ​people​ ​across​ ​the​ ​BRICS
nations,​ ​Airbnb​ ​has​ ​joined​ ​the​ ​efforts​ ​of​ ​developing​ ​and​ ​bonding​ ​the​ ​new​ ​economies.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​past
year,​ ​5.36​ ​million​ ​guests​ ​arrived​ ​at​ ​Airbnb​ ​listings​ ​in​ ​BRICS​ ​nations​ ​and​ ​generated​ ​US$467
million​ ​hosts​ ​income​ ​for​ ​local​ ​community.

In​ ​particular,​ ​our​ ​work​ ​facilitating​ ​travel​ ​to​ ​and​ ​from​ ​China​ ​has​ ​been​ ​an​ ​especially​ ​powerful
driver​ ​of​ ​opportunity​ ​and​ ​openness​ ​for​ ​other​ ​emerging​ ​economies.​ ​By​ ​bringing​ ​people​ ​both
within​ ​BRICS​ ​nations​ ​and​ ​within​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​world,​ ​Airbnb​ ​helps​ ​strengthen​ ​the​ ​foundation​ ​of
mutual​ ​understanding​ ​that​ ​leads​ ​to​ ​cooperation.​ ​As​ ​the​ ​9th​ ​BRICS​ ​Summit​ ​commences​ ​in
China,​ ​leaders​ ​will​ ​continue​ ​their​ ​important​ ​discussion​ ​of​ ​mutual​ ​development​ ​and​ ​the
importance​ ​of​ ​people-to-people​ ​exchange​ ​in​ ​their​ ​shared​ ​civic​ ​and​ ​economic​ ​life​.​ ​We​ ​believe

1
​ ​World​ ​Travel​ ​and​ ​Tourism​ ​Council,​ ​Travel​ ​and​ ​Tourism​ ​Economic​ ​Impact​ ​2017​.
2
​ ​UNWTO​ ​Tourism​ ​Highlights:​ ​2017​ ​Edition​,​ ​July​ ​2017.
3
​ ​China​ ​Tourism​ ​Academy​ ​Tourism​ ​Statistics​ ​2016​,​ ​February​ ​2017
4
​ ​World​ ​Bank​ ​Data​,​ ​accessed​ ​August​ ​2017.

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​2 

that​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​can​ ​improve​ ​people-to-people​ ​exchange​ ​and​ ​warm​ ​up​ ​the​ ​bond​ ​between
nations​ ​by​ ​allowing​ ​guests​ ​and​ ​hosts​ ​live​ ​under​ ​the​ ​same​ ​roof.

5.36M   US$467M   
Total​ ​Airbnb​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​to​ ​BRICS  BRICS​ ​Airbnb​ ​host​ ​income​ ​generated​ ​by 
nations​ ​within​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year  all​ ​guests​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year 

At​ ​Airbnb,​ ​we​ ​also​ ​believe​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​can​ ​create​ ​new​ ​livelihoods​ ​and​ ​promote​ ​inclusive
growth​ ​by​ ​enabling​ ​many​ ​people​ ​to​ ​benefit​ ​directly​ ​from​ ​the​ ​tourism​ ​boom,​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​keeping
the​ ​growing​ ​profits​ ​in​ ​the​ ​hands​ ​of​ ​the​ ​traditional​ ​hospitality​ ​industry.​ ​Home​ ​sharing​ ​helps​ ​people
create​ ​new​ ​economic​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​themselves​ ​in​ ​the​ ​homes​ ​and​ ​communities​ ​where​ ​they
live.​ ​It​ ​also​ ​helps​ ​emerging​ ​destinations​ ​welcome​ ​more​ ​visitors​ ​in​ ​a​ ​scalable,​ ​sustainable​ ​way,
without​ ​having​ ​to​ ​invest​ ​in​ ​permanent​ ​infrastructure​ ​which​ ​corporate​ ​hotel​ ​chains​ ​often​ ​hesitate
to​ ​build​ ​in​ ​many​ ​of​ ​these​ ​areas,​ ​anyway.

This​ ​report​ ​describes​ ​through​ ​data,​ ​host​ ​and​ ​guest​ ​stories​ ​and​ ​partnership​ ​details​ ​how​ ​Airbnb​ ​is
facilitating​ ​intra-BRICS​ ​travel​ ​and​ ​benefitting​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​communities​ ​our​ ​hosts​ ​call​ ​home.

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​3 

  
 

Airbnb​ ​and​ ​the​ ​BRICS   

By​ ​enabling​ ​travelers​ ​to​ ​live​ ​like​ ​a​ ​local,​ ​Airbnb​ ​helps​ ​people​ ​belong​ ​anywhere.​ ​Since​ ​2008,​ ​4.1
million​ ​citizen​ ​of​ ​BRICS​ ​nations​ ​have​ ​had​ ​this​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​travel​ ​around,​ ​including​ ​to​ ​more
than​ ​400​ ​BRICS​ ​cities,​ ​strengthening​ ​the​ ​bonds​ ​between​ ​these​ ​emerging​ ​economies​ ​and
increasing​ ​economic​ ​and​ ​cultural​ ​connections.​ ​Cape​ ​Town,​ ​Saint​ ​Petersburg,​ ​Moscow,​ ​Rio​ ​de
Janeiro,​ ​Johannesburg,​ ​Shanghai​ ​and​ ​Beijing​ ​attract​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​numbers​ ​of​ ​BRICS-based
travelers.

134%   400+ 
Year​ ​over​ ​year​ ​growth​ ​rate​ ​of​ ​intra​ ​BRICS  BRICS​ ​cities​ ​visited​ ​by​ ​intra-BRICS​ ​Airbnb 
guest​ ​arrivals   guests 

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​4 

Among​ ​the​ ​five​ ​BRICS​ ​nations,​ ​China​ ​is​ ​the​ ​leading​ ​source​ ​of​ ​guests​ ​for​ ​its​ ​fellow​ ​BRICS
nations,​ ​contributing​ ​43​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​intra-BRICS​ ​travel​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year​ ​with​ ​China​ ​guest​ ​numbers
doubling​ ​year-over-year.​ ​Meanwhile,​ ​intra-BRICS​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​in​ ​China​ ​have​ ​doubled​ ​in​ ​the
past​ ​year.​ ​Beijing-Shanghai​ ​and​ ​Guangzhou-Shenzhen​ ​are​ ​the​ ​most​ ​popular​ ​routes​ ​for​ ​guests
from​ ​the​ ​other​ ​four​ ​BRICS​ ​nations;​ ​guests​ ​typically​ ​stay​ ​for​ ​nearly​ ​10​ ​nights​ ​on​ ​both​ ​routes.

Not​ ​surprisingly,​ ​the​ ​route​ ​between​ ​China​ ​and​ ​Russia​ ​is​ ​particularly​ ​strong​ ​among​ ​the​ ​BRICS:
Russia​ ​sends​ ​more​ ​Airbnb​ ​guests​ ​to​ ​China,​ ​claiming​ ​44​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​all​ ​BRICS​ ​guest​ ​arrivals
there,​ ​and​ ​Russian​ ​guests​ ​stay​ ​the​ ​longest.​ ​China​ ​also​ ​sends​ ​more​ ​guests​ ​to​ ​Russia​ ​than​ ​to​ ​the
others,​ ​accounting​ ​for​ ​85​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​total​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​to​ ​Russia​ ​from​ ​BRICS​ ​nations​ ​and
contributing​ ​78​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Russian​ ​host​ ​income​ ​gained​ ​from​ ​hosting​ ​BRICS​ ​travelers.​ ​Russian
cities​ ​dominate​ ​the​ ​top​ ​travel​ ​routes​ ​for​ ​Chinese​ ​guests,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Moscow-Saint​ ​Petersburg,
Moscow-Suzdal,​ ​and​ ​Irkutsk-Khuzhir.

Intra-BRICS​ ​travel​ ​to​ ​India​ ​is​ ​dominated​ ​by​ ​Chinese​ ​and​ ​Russian​ ​guests.​ ​In​ ​particular,​ ​the
average​ ​Russian​ ​guest​ ​stay​ ​length​ ​is​ ​double​ ​the​ ​average​ ​of​ ​guests​ ​from​ ​the​ ​other​ ​three
countries,​ ​reaching​ ​7.2​ ​days.​ ​New​ ​Delhi​ ​and​ ​Mumbai​ ​are​ ​the​ ​most​ ​popular​ ​among​ ​all
intra-BRICS​ ​travelers,​ ​while​ ​Āgra-Jaipur​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​favorite​ ​routes​ ​for​ ​Chinese​ ​travelers.​ ​India
listings​ ​enjoy​ ​peak​ ​travel​ ​from​ ​the​ ​other​ ​four​ ​of​ ​BRICS​ ​nations​ ​in​ ​winter,​ ​with​ ​January​ ​as​ ​the
peak​ ​month.​ ​While​ ​the​ ​current​ ​focus​ ​is​ ​very​ ​much​ ​on​ ​travelers​ ​from​ ​China​ ​and​ ​Russia,​ ​Brazil
and​ ​South​ ​Africa​ ​have​ ​been​ ​posting​ ​stellar​ ​year​ ​-on-year​ ​guest​ ​growth​ ​numbers​ ​at​ ​113​ ​percent
and​ ​153​ ​percent​ ​respectively.

South​ ​Africa​ ​has​ ​seen​ ​the​ ​strongest​ ​growth​ ​in​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​from​ ​BRICS​ ​nations​ ​at​ ​380​ ​percent,
with​ ​explosive​ ​year-over-year​ ​growth​ ​in​ ​guests​ ​arriving​ ​from​ ​Brazil,​ ​by​ ​a​ ​factor​ ​of​ ​nine.​ ​South
African​ ​hosts’​ ​total​ ​income​ ​earned​ ​from​ ​BRICS-based​ ​guests​ ​ranks​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​five
countries​ ​at​ ​USD$1.88​ ​million.

Russian​ ​travelers​ ​stay​ ​the​ ​longest​ ​in​ ​all​ ​BRICS​ ​nations.​ ​In​ ​particular,​ ​Russian​ ​guests​ ​spend​ ​an
average​ ​of​ ​8.7​ ​nights​ ​in​ ​Brazil​ ​over​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year,​ ​with​ ​this​ ​number​ ​likely​ ​heightened​ ​by​ ​Brazil’s
hosting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​2016​ ​Summer​ ​Games​ ​in​ ​Rio​ ​de​ ​Janeiro.​ ​The​ ​significance​ ​of​ ​this​ ​opportunity​ ​is
clearly​ ​visible​ ​in​ ​Airbnb​ ​data.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year,​ ​BRICS​ ​guests​ ​stayed​ ​longer​ ​in​ ​Brazil​ ​than​ ​the
other​ ​four​ ​countries,​ ​at​ ​an​ ​average​ ​of​ ​7.2​ ​nights.

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​5 

Brazil 
 
HOST​ ​STORY:​ ​Haydee

I​ ​am​ ​single,​ ​58​ ​and​ ​a​ ​public​ ​servant.​ ​I​ ​started​ ​hosting​ ​in​ ​2012​ ​after​ ​my​ ​mother​ ​and​ ​aunt,​ ​who
shared​ ​the​ ​apartment​ ​bills​ ​with​ ​me,​ ​both​ ​passed​ ​away.​ ​A​ ​neighbor​ ​told​ ​me​ ​about​ ​Airbnb​ ​so​ ​I
decided​ ​to​ ​join​ ​the​ ​platform.​ ​Today,​ ​around​ ​60​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​my​ ​income​ ​originates​ ​from​ ​renting​ ​my
two​ ​spare​ ​bedrooms,​ ​and​ ​thanks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​great​ ​reviews,​ ​I​ ​am​ ​also​ ​a​ ​Superhost.​ ​I​ ​love​ ​to​ ​spoil​ ​my
guests,​ ​preparing​ ​a​ ​delicious​ ​breakfast​ ​with​ ​local​ ​fruits,​ ​homemade​ ​cake​ ​and​ ​local​ ​Brazilian
sweets.​ ​I​ ​treat​ ​them​ ​just​ ​like​ ​I​ ​treat​ ​my​ ​nephews​ ​and​ ​other​ ​family​ ​members.

With​ ​the​ ​income​ ​from​ ​Airbnb,​ ​I​ ​manage​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​my​ ​apartment​ ​and​ ​even​ ​invest​ ​on​ ​better
amenities​ ​for​ ​the​ ​guests​ ​such​ ​as​ ​an​ ​air-conditioner,​ ​new​ ​wallpaper​ ​and​ ​a​ ​work​ ​desk.​ ​More​ ​than
just​ ​financially,​ ​being​ ​a​ ​host​ ​has​ ​helped​ ​me​ ​open​ ​up​ ​and​ ​better​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​those​ ​around​ ​me.​ ​I​ ​did
not​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​deal​ ​with​ ​new​ ​people​ ​before;​ ​at​ ​first,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​shy​ ​towards​ ​my​ ​guests.​ ​Now,​ ​I
welcome​ ​them​ ​with​ ​a​ ​hug,​ ​take​ ​them​ ​around​ ​and​ ​give​ ​local​ ​tips​ ​of​ ​places​ ​they​ ​can​ ​go​ ​to
experience​ ​local​ ​businesses.​ ​More​ ​than​ ​that,​ ​I​ ​made​ ​amazing​ ​friends​ ​who​ ​are​ ​also​ ​hosts,​ ​and
even​ ​traveled​ ​with​ ​them​ ​to​ ​Airbnb​ ​Open​ ​last​ ​year​ ​in​ ​Los​ ​Angeles.

The​ ​Olympic​ ​Games​ ​were​ ​an​ ​amazing​ ​time​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​Rio​ ​and​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​host!​ ​I​ ​had​ ​eight​ ​guests
total​ ​during​ ​the​ ​Games,​ ​and​ ​we​ ​became​ ​a​ ​big​ ​family.​ ​I​ ​took​ ​them​ ​to​ ​Casa​ ​Airbnb,​ ​where​ ​hosts
and​ ​guests​ ​gathered​ ​to​ ​watch​ ​the​ ​competitions.​ ​I​ ​helped​ ​them​ ​get​ ​around​ ​and,​ ​more​ ​than​ ​the
financial​ ​return,​ ​I​ ​also​ ​got​ ​to​ ​experience​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​cultures​ ​in​ ​a​ ​very​ ​short​ ​period​ ​of​ ​time!​ ​We
went​ ​out​ ​and​ ​truly​ ​experienced​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​I​ ​am​ ​glad​ ​I​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​show​ ​them​ ​the​ ​true​ ​Carioca
spirit.

Tourism​ ​accounts​ ​for​ ​a​ ​growing​ ​share​ ​of​ ​the​ ​economy​ ​in​ ​cities​ ​and​ ​countries.​ ​During​ ​major
events​ ​such​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Olympics,​ ​Airbnb​ ​works​ ​with​ ​local​ ​governments​ ​and​ ​NGO​ ​partners​ ​to​ ​help
communities​ ​thoughtfully​ ​scale​ ​up​ ​their​ ​accommodations​ ​using​ ​existing​ ​resources:​ ​people’s
homes.​ ​By​ ​providing​ ​temporary​ ​housing​ ​for​ ​thousands​ ​of​ ​visitors,​ ​governments​ ​can​ ​avoid
building​ ​permanent​ ​infrastructure​ ​which​ ​can​ ​further​ ​tax​ ​local​ ​treasuries​ ​and​ ​the​ ​environment.
Net​ ​benefits​ ​include​ ​reducing​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​materials​ ​used​ ​in​ ​construction,​ ​their​ ​associated
emissions,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​ongoing​ ​burden​ ​of​ ​permanent​ ​structures​ ​which​ ​are​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​become
underutilized​ ​post​ ​event.

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​6 

 257   17% 
new​ ​hotels​ ​Rio​ ​de​ ​Janeiro​ ​would​ ​have  of​ ​Rio​ ​Games​ ​visitors​ ​found  
needed​ ​to​ ​build​ ​to​ ​accommodate  accommodations​ ​through​ ​Airbnb6 
visitors​ ​for​ ​the​ ​2016​ ​Summer​ ​Games;   
instead,​ ​visitors​ ​used​ ​Airbnb5 

Since​ ​our​ ​founding​ ​in​ ​2008,​ ​Airbnb​ ​has​ ​worked​ ​with​ ​local​ ​policymakers​ ​and​ ​event​ ​organizers​ ​to
help​ ​cities​ ​sustainably​ ​scale​ ​up​ ​accommodation​ ​during​ ​countless​ ​major​ ​events.​ ​The​ ​2016
Games​ ​marked​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time​ ​Airbnb​ ​officially​ ​brought​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​to​ ​the​ ​world’s​ ​largest
sporting​ ​event​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Games’​ ​“official​ ​alternative​ ​accommodations​ ​supplier.”

A​ ​recent​ ​study​ ​by​ ​the​ ​World​ ​Economic​ ​Forum​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Massachusetts​ ​Institute​ ​of​ ​Technology,
using​ ​Airbnb​ ​data,​ ​showed​ ​that​ ​over​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Rio​ ​Games,​ ​48,000​ ​Airbnb​ ​listings
housed​ ​85,000​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city’s​ ​estimated​ ​500,000​ ​visitors,​ ​including​ ​a​ ​significant​ ​number​ ​of
Brazilians.​ ​Many​ ​of​ ​these​ ​listings​ ​were​ ​created​ ​in​ ​the​ ​run-up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Games.​ ​The​ ​study’s​ ​authors
found​ ​that​ ​Rio​ ​would​ ​have​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​build​ ​257​ ​hotels​ ​to​ ​accommodate​ ​that​ ​many​ ​visitors.

During​ ​the​ ​Games,​ ​Airbnb​ ​hosts​ ​in​ ​Rio​ ​earned​ ​roughly​ ​US$30​ ​million​ ​in​ ​hosting​ ​income.​ ​All​ ​told,
we​ ​estimate​ ​that​ ​Airbnb​ ​created​ ​more​ ​than​ ​US$100​ ​million​ ​in​ ​economic​ ​activity​ ​in​ ​Rio​—at​ ​no
cost​ ​to​ ​the​ ​city​.​ ​From​ ​a​ ​people-to-people​ ​exchange​ ​perspective,​ ​the​ ​effort​ ​was​ ​also​ ​a​ ​win​ ​for
Rio:​ ​72​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Airbnb​ ​guests​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city​ ​during​ ​the​ ​Games​ ​gave​ ​their​ ​hosts​ ​a​ ​five-star​ ​review.
We​ ​also​ ​partnered​ ​with​ ​the​ ​UN​ ​Environment​ ​Programme​ ​to​ ​share​ ​sustainable​ ​tourism​ ​tips​ ​with
the​ ​Airbnb​ ​community​ ​and​ ​to​ ​promote​ ​UNEP's​ ​“Green​ ​Passport"​ ​campaign.

Beyond​ ​its​ ​cities,​ ​Brazil​ ​also​ ​sees​ ​great​ ​opportunity​ ​in​ ​ecological​ ​travel,​ ​leveraging​ ​the​ ​country’s
astonishing​ ​natural​ ​sights​ ​from​ ​the​ ​world’s​ ​largest​ ​rainforest,​ ​to​ ​the​ ​largest​ ​wetlands,​ ​to​ ​the
largest​ ​waterfalls​ ​system.​ ​Airbnb​ ​has​ ​partnered​ ​with​ ​Brazil’s​ ​Cataratas​ ​Group​ ​to​ ​ease​ ​and
promote​ ​travel​ ​to​ ​parklands​ ​managed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Group,​ ​which​ ​include​ ​the​ ​famous​ ​Iguazu​ ​Falls.
Airbnb’s​ ​work​ ​with​ ​Brazilian​ ​officials​ ​began​ ​when​ ​we​ ​helped​ ​the​ ​new​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Palmas​ ​and​ ​its​ ​rural
surroundings​ ​scale​ ​up​ ​its​ ​accommodations​ ​for​ ​the​ ​first​ ​World​ ​Indigenous​ ​Games​ ​in​ ​2015.

All​ ​these​ ​efforts​ ​have​ ​helped​ ​make​ ​Brazil​ ​one​ ​of​ ​Airbnb’s​ ​fastest-growing​ ​country​ ​markets​ ​and
Latin​ ​America​ ​our​ ​fastest-growing​ ​regional​ ​market.​ ​Among​ ​Brazil’s​ ​four​ ​fellow​ ​BRICS​ ​countries,
guest​ ​arrivals​ ​from​ ​China​ ​have​ ​doubled​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year​ ​(100​ ​percent),​ ​and​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​from
India​ ​and​ ​South​ ​Africa​ ​have​ ​increased​ ​by​ ​approximately​ ​half​ ​(54​ ​percent​ ​and​ ​60​ ​percent,

 
respectively).​ ​The​ ​total​ ​host​ ​payout​ ​from​ ​guests​ ​arriving​ ​from​ ​fellow​​ ​BRICS​ ​nations​ ​was
USD$1.1​ ​million​ ​for​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year.

5
​ ​World​ ​Economic​ ​Forum​,​ ​Understanding​ ​the​ ​Sharing​ ​Economy,​ ​2016
6
​ ​Airbnb

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​7 

Russia
HOST​ ​STORY:​ ​Tatiana

Most​ ​people​ ​of​ ​my​ ​generation​ ​have​ ​lived​ ​in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​city​ ​and​ ​often​ ​times​ ​the​ ​same​ ​apartment
their​ ​whole​ ​life.​ ​We​ ​even​ ​have​ ​a​ ​saying:​ ​“Where​ ​you​ ​were​ ​born​ ​is​ ​where​ ​you​ ​belong.”​ ​But​ ​my
daughter​ ​decided​ ​she​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​try​ ​something​ ​new​ ​and​ ​moved​ ​to​ ​another​ ​city,​ ​where​ ​she​ ​soon
met​ ​her​ ​husband​ ​and​ ​started​ ​a​ ​family.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​left​ ​alone​ ​in​ ​a​ ​big​ ​apartment​ ​and​ ​didn’t​ ​know​ ​what
to​ ​do​ ​with​ ​all​ ​the​ ​space.​ ​I​ ​felt​ ​abandoned,​ ​but​ ​understood​ ​that​ ​this​ ​is​ ​how​ ​life​ ​goes:​ ​children​ ​fly
out​ ​of​ ​their​ ​parents’​ ​nest​ ​to​ ​start​ ​their​ ​own​ ​life.​ ​But​ ​still,​ ​I​ ​felt​ ​very​ ​lonely.

This​ ​is​ ​when​ ​my​ ​daughter​ ​introduced​ ​me​ ​to​ ​Airbnb.​ ​She​ ​suggested​ ​I​ ​rent​ ​out​ ​her​ ​childhood
room​ ​to​ ​tourists,​ ​which​ ​shocked​ ​me​ ​at​ ​first,​ ​because​ ​I​ ​wasn’t​ ​prepared​ ​to​ ​have​ ​strangers​ ​in​ ​my
home,​ ​let​ ​alone​ ​turn​ ​the​ ​room​ ​that​ ​kept​ ​so​ ​many​ ​memories​ ​into​ ​something​ ​else.​ ​But​ ​before​ ​I
could​ ​say​ ​anything,​ ​she​ ​arranged​ ​my​ ​first​ ​booking​ ​and​ ​called​ ​me​ ​to​ ​say​ ​someone​ ​will​ ​be​ ​arriving
over​ ​the​ ​weekend.

I​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​give​ ​it​ ​a​ ​try,​ ​do​ ​it​ ​the​ ​way​ ​my​ ​daughter’s​ ​generation​ ​would​ ​do.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​very​ ​nervous,
but​ ​when​ ​the​ ​guests​ ​came​ ​in​ ​the​ ​front​ ​door​ ​everything​ ​just​ ​came​ ​together,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​no
awkwardness,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​exactly​ ​the​ ​same​ ​as​ ​if​ ​I​ ​was​ ​hosting​ ​my​ ​family​ ​members.​ ​Since​ ​then,​ ​I
have​ ​invited​ ​over​ ​50​ ​people​ ​to​ ​my​ ​home​ ​and​ ​couldn’t​ ​be​ ​happier:​ ​my​ ​apartment​ ​is​ ​now​ ​alive​ ​and
buzzing​ ​with​ ​life,​ ​through​ ​it​ ​I​ ​have​ ​met​ ​incredible​ ​people,​ ​with​ ​some​ ​of​ ​whom​ ​I​ ​even​ ​kept​ ​in
touch,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​money​ ​I​ ​make​ ​lets​ ​me​ ​visit​ ​my​ ​daughter​ ​more​ ​often.​ ​Now​ ​I’m​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​convince
my​ ​next-door​ ​neighbour​ ​to​ ​start​ ​hosting,​ ​too!

Airbnb​ ​connects​ ​Russia​ ​with​ ​the​ ​world​ ​and​ ​helps​ ​boost​ ​its​ ​economy​ ​by​ ​diversifying​ ​tourism.
Through​ ​Airbnb,​ ​travelers​ ​have​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​immerse​ ​themselves​ ​in​ ​the​ ​neighborhoods​ ​where
they​ ​stay.​ ​Moscow,​ ​the​ ​top​ ​destination​ ​within​ ​Russia​ ​for​ ​Airbnb​ ​guests,​ ​is​ ​among​ ​the​ ​28​ ​cities
offering​ ​Experiences​ ​to​ ​travelers,​ ​upgrading​ ​their​ ​travel​ ​plans​ ​and​ ​reshaping​ ​their​ ​impressions​ ​of
the​ ​country.​ ​Following​ ​the​ ​hosts,​ ​travelers​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​discover​ ​a​ ​trendy​ ​Moscow​ ​beyond
traditional​ ​attractions​ ​like​ ​the​ ​Kremlin,​ ​explore​ ​historic​ ​neighborhoods​ ​and​ ​sample​ ​local​ ​cuisine.

The​ ​Airbnb​ ​community​ ​in​ ​Russia​ ​has​ ​experienced​ ​impressive​ ​growth​ ​over​ ​the​ ​past​ ​few​ ​years.
Since​ ​2014,​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​to​ ​Russia​ ​has​ ​increased​ ​by​ ​380​ ​percent​ ​and​ ​outbound​ ​Russian
guests​ ​have​ ​grown​ ​by​ ​136​ ​percent.​ ​According​ ​to​ ​our​ ​survey,​ ​82​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Airbnb​ ​guests​ ​visit
Russia​ ​for​ ​vacation​ ​and​ ​leisure,​ ​while​ ​79​ ​percent​ ​said​ ​Airbnb​ ​helps​ ​them​ ​experience​ ​cities​ ​and
neighborhoods​ ​like​ ​a​ ​local.7

7
​ ​Airbnb
Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​8 
More​ ​recently,​ ​Russian​ ​hosts​ ​welcomed​ ​452,000​ ​guests​ ​with​ ​moderate​ ​growth​ ​in​ ​guest​ ​arrivals
at​ ​62​ ​percent​ ​over​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year.​ ​The​ ​potential​ ​of​ ​attracting​ ​international​ ​travelers​ ​is​ ​huge​ ​as
inbound​ ​guests​ ​from​ ​beyond​ ​Russia​ ​accounted​ ​for​ ​one-third​ ​of​ ​total​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past
year.​ ​The​ ​US,​ ​China,​ ​France,​ ​Germany​ ​and​ ​the​ ​UK​ ​are​ ​the​ ​top​ ​five​ ​countries​ ​of​ ​guest​ ​origin.
The​ ​US​ ​in​ ​particular​ ​contributed​ ​16​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​all​ ​inbound​ ​guest​ ​arrivals,​ ​while​ ​Chinese​ ​travelers
visiting​ ​Russia​ ​grew​ ​by​ ​111​ ​percent.

Airbnb​ ​is​ ​also​ ​providing​ ​new​ ​economic​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​local​ ​hosts.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year,​ ​Russian
hosts​ ​earned​ ​US$41​ ​million,​ ​while​ ​Airbnb​ ​users​ ​injected​ ​US$195​ ​million​ ​into​ ​the​ ​Russian
economy.​ ​According​ ​to​ ​our​ ​2016​ ​community​ ​survey,​ ​46​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Russian​ ​hosts​ ​use​ ​Airbnb
earnings​ ​as​ ​supplementary​ ​income​ ​to​ ​make​ ​ends​ ​meet,​ ​and​ ​43​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​hosts​ ​said​ ​Airbnb
helps​ ​them​ ​afford​ ​to​ ​stay​ ​in​ ​their​ ​home.​ ​Home​ ​sharing​ ​also​ ​brings​ ​positive​ ​impacts​ ​to​ ​the
community:​ ​88​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Airbnb​ ​hosts​ ​said​ ​they​ ​would​ ​recommend​ ​local​ ​businesses​ ​to​ ​guests,
and​ ​89​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​hosts​ ​said​ ​they​ ​engage​ ​in​ ​eco-friendly​ ​practices​ ​such​ ​as​ ​providing​ ​public
transportation​ ​information​ ​to​ ​guests.

US$41M    452,000 
Russian​ ​Airbnb​ ​host​ ​income​ ​generated  Guest​ ​arrivals​ ​to​ ​Russia​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year 
in​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year   
   
More​ ​of​ ​Russia’s​ ​hidden​ ​beauty​ ​is​ ​yet​ ​to​ ​be​ ​found​ ​by​ ​travelers,​ ​with​ ​more​ ​economic​ ​and​ ​social
benefits​ ​still​ ​to​ ​be​ ​shared​ ​with​ ​the​ ​local​ ​community.​ ​To​ ​that​ ​end,​ ​Airbnb​ ​has​ ​partnered​ ​with​ ​the
Federal​ ​Agency​ ​for​ ​Tourism​ ​of​ ​Russia,​ ​signing​ ​a​ ​Memorandum​ ​of​ ​Intent​ ​with​ ​the​ ​state​ ​body​ ​to
commit​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​traveling​ ​experience​ ​and​ ​develop​ ​the​ ​hospitality​ ​industry​ ​by​ ​increasing
accommodation​ ​supply.​ ​The​ ​upcoming​ ​FIFA​ ​2018​ ​World​ ​Cup​ ​taking​ ​place​ ​in​ ​Russia​ ​provides​ ​an
exciting​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​Airbnb​ ​and​ ​Russia​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​local​ ​tourism​ ​as​ ​Russia​ ​inevitably​ ​will​ ​see
a​ ​peak​ ​of​ ​inbound​ ​travelers​ ​during​ ​the​ ​event.​ ​From​ ​Airbnb’s​ ​experience​ ​in​ ​Brazil,​ ​Airbnb​ ​is​ ​well
placed​ ​to​ ​support​ ​Russian​ ​host​ ​cities​ ​which​ ​might​ ​otherwise​ ​face​ ​challenges​ ​accommodating
incoming​ ​fans​ ​and​ ​travelers.

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​9 

India 
HOST​ ​STORY:​ ​Gauriben​ ​Ramabhai​ ​Bhramin

Gauriben​ ​became​ ​an​ ​Airbnb​ ​host​ ​a​ ​few​ ​months​ ​ago​ ​when​ ​Airbnb​ ​signed​ ​an​ ​MoU​ ​with​ ​SEWA,
the​ ​2​ ​million​ ​strong​ ​self-employed​ ​women’s​ ​collective​ ​of​ ​India​ ​spread​ ​across​ ​its​ ​13​ ​States.​ ​She
says,“When​ ​I​ ​joined​ ​SEWA​ ​several​ ​decades​ ​ago,​ ​I​ ​faced​ ​strong​ ​resistance​ ​from​ ​my​ ​village
elders​ ​who​ ​were​ ​opposed​ ​to​ ​women​ ​earning​ ​their​ ​own​ ​livelihoods.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​persisted​ ​and​ ​had​ ​a
long​ ​and​ ​exciting​ ​journey​ ​as​ ​a​ ​SEWA​ ​member.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​travelled​ ​to​ ​US​ ​and​ ​Italy​ ​to​ ​exhibit​ ​my
indigenous​ ​craft​ ​work​ ​and​ ​I​ ​have​ ​organized​ ​thousands​ ​of​ ​women​ ​like​ ​me​ ​in​ ​India​ ​to​ ​earn
livelihood​ ​through​ ​SEWA.​ ​ ​I​ ​first​ ​learnt​ ​of​ ​Airbnb​ ​when​ ​the​ ​Airbnb​ ​team​ ​came​ ​down​ ​to​ ​make​ ​a
presentation​ ​on​ ​how​ ​we​ ​can​ ​open​ ​our​ ​homes​ ​to​ ​travellers,​ ​learn​ ​more​ ​about​ ​the​ ​world​ ​and​ ​earn
an​ ​income​ ​in​ ​the​ ​process.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​first​ ​to​ ​jump​ ​at​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​as​ ​I​ ​have​ ​hosted
international​ ​volunteers​ ​working​ ​with​ ​SEWA​ ​and​ ​always​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​do​ ​more.​ ​Before​ ​I​ ​started
hosting,​ ​the​ ​Airbnb​ ​team​ ​visited​ ​my​ ​home,​ ​advised​ ​on​ ​the​ ​changes​ ​I​ ​need​ ​to​ ​make,​ ​offered​ ​us
multiple​ ​trainings​ ​on​ ​hospitality​ ​standards​ ​and​ ​guided​ ​us​ ​through​ ​Airbnb’s​ ​internet​ ​platform.​ ​As​ ​a
part​ ​of​ ​learning​ ​and​ ​sharing,​ ​we​ ​also​ ​visited​ ​the​ ​homes​ ​of​ ​rural​ ​Airbnb​ ​hosts​ ​across​ ​the​ ​country
and​ ​were​ ​deeply​ ​inspired​ ​by​ ​the​ ​incredible​ ​hospitality​ ​they​ ​offered.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​already​ ​started
receiving​ ​bookings​ ​and​ ​am​ ​confident​ ​of​ ​being​ ​an​ ​excellent​ ​host​ ​just​ ​like​ ​the​ ​Airbnb​ ​hosts​ ​I​ ​have
seen​ ​in​ ​other​ ​places.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​want​ ​our​ ​SEWA​ ​women​ ​host​ ​team​ ​to​ ​gain​ ​better​ ​understanding​ ​of
technology​ ​and​ ​English​ ​language​ ​so​ ​that​ ​we​ ​can​ ​easily​ ​attract​ ​more​ ​visitors​ ​to​ ​our​ ​village​ ​and
explain​ ​to​ ​them​ ​how​ ​we​ ​live,​ ​what​ ​we​ ​eat,​ ​and​ ​what​ ​our​ ​traditions​ ​are”.​ ​Through​ ​Airbnb,​ ​Gauri
not​ ​only​ ​shares​ ​her​ ​home​ ​but​ ​also​ ​plan​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​lessons​ ​in​ ​indigenous​ ​craft​ ​and​ ​delicious
delicacies​ ​of​ ​her​ ​region.

HOST​ ​STORY:​ ​Maya​ ​Patel

Maya​ ​Patel,​ ​another​ ​SEWA​ ​host​ ​who​ ​also​ ​runs​ ​SEWA’s​ ​Community​ ​Radio​ ​program​ ​for
villagers,​ ​had​ ​a​ ​heartwarming​ ​response​ ​from​ ​her​ ​very​ ​first​ ​Airbnb​ ​guest,​ ​Daniel,​ ​who​ ​came​ ​from
Spain.​ ​Having​ ​little​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​English,​ ​Maya​ ​was​ ​worried​ ​about​ ​her​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​communicate
with​ ​international​ ​guests.​ ​But​ ​she​ ​and​ ​Daniel​ ​quickly​ ​developed​ ​their​ ​own​ ​sign​ ​language​ ​through
hand​ ​gestures.​ ​Maya​ ​says,​ ​“He​ ​asked​ ​me​ ​to​ ​wake​ ​him​ ​up​ ​at​ ​10:00​ ​am​ ​and​ ​he​ ​had​ ​breakfast
with​ ​our​ ​family.​ ​He​ ​even​ ​helped​ ​my​ ​mother-in-law​ ​grind​ ​spices​ ​and​ ​wheat.​ ​He​ ​loved​ ​our​ ​food,
especially​ ​the​ ​tea,​ ​so​ ​much​ ​so​ ​that​ ​he​ ​had​ ​tea​ ​multiple​ ​times​ ​a​ ​day.​ ​I​ ​am​ ​happy​ ​that​ ​Daniel​ ​bhai
(‘brother’)​ ​liked​ ​our​ ​home​ ​and​ ​left​ ​us​ ​a​ ​very​ ​gracious​ ​review.”​ ​As​ ​he​ ​was​ ​leaving,​ ​Daniel​ ​told
Maya​ ​that​ ​her​ ​family’s​ ​warm​ ​hospitality​ ​made​ ​him​ ​feel​ ​at​ ​home.​ ​Learning​ ​from​ ​her​ ​first​ ​guest
experience,​ ​Maya​ ​is​ ​planning​ ​to​ ​purchase​ ​mosquito​ ​repellent​ ​and​ ​make​ ​more​ ​repairs​ ​in​ ​her
home​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​more​ ​comfortable​ ​experience​ ​for​ ​her​ ​guests.

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​10 

Indian​ ​hosts​ ​shared​ ​their​ ​homes,​ ​life​ ​experiences​ ​and​ ​passions​ ​with​ ​375,000​ ​guests​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past
year,​ ​with​ ​most​ ​international​ ​guests​ ​arriving​ ​from​ ​the​ ​US,​ ​the​ ​UK,​ ​Australia,​ ​France​ ​and
Germany.​ ​Year-over-year​ ​growth​ ​in​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​increased​ ​by​ ​159​ ​percent.

Airbnb​ ​is​ ​creating​ ​economic​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​have​ ​lacked​ ​it,​ ​including​ ​women
and​ ​youth​ ​in​ ​rural​ ​areas​ ​and​ ​smaller​ ​towns,​ ​by​ ​tapping​ ​into​ ​the​ ​reach​ ​and​ ​support​ ​of​ ​State
Governments​ ​and​ ​local​ ​NGO​ ​partners.​ ​Our​ ​work​ ​with​ ​India’s​ ​Self-Employed​ ​Women’s
Association​ ​(SEWA)​ ​and​ ​our​ ​partnerships​ ​with​ ​the​ ​State​ ​Governments​ ​of​ ​Maharashtra,​ ​Andhra
Pradesh​ ​and​ ​Gujarat,​ ​turns​ ​into​ ​reality,​ ​our​ ​shared​ ​commitment​ ​to​ ​empowering​ ​women​ ​and
other​ ​similar​ ​groups​ ​in​ ​these​ ​regions​ ​.​ ​We​ ​are​ ​glad​ ​to​ ​have​ ​made​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​pathbreaking
changes​ ​to​ ​minimize​ ​the​ ​barriers​ ​faced​ ​by​ ​these​ ​hosts​ ​on​ ​joining​ ​the​ ​Airbnb​ ​platform.

For​ ​instance,​ ​in​ ​addition​ ​to​ ​language​ ​barriers​ ​and​ ​low​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​technological​ ​and​ ​financial
literacy,​ ​payment​ ​processes​ ​were​ ​a​ ​key​ ​obstacle​ ​for​ ​which​ ​Airbnb​ ​developed​ ​workarounds​ ​in
collaboration​ ​with​ ​the​ ​SEWA​ ​hosts.​ ​Airbnb’s​ ​payment​ ​process​ ​were​ ​revised​ ​to​ ​accept
Permanent​ ​Account​ ​Numbers​ ​(PAN)​ ​for​ ​Trusts​ ​that​ ​Indian​ ​organizations​ ​like​ ​SEWA​ ​use​ ​for​ ​tax
accountability—an​ ​example​ ​of​ ​the​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​initial​ ​barriers​ ​we​ ​are​ ​seeing​ ​and​ ​gradually​ ​working
through​ ​to​ ​help​ ​travel​ ​benefit​ ​more​ ​people​ ​and​ ​more​ ​communities.​ ​Similarly,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​developing
a​ ​whole​ ​new​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​hospitality​ ​skill​ ​development​ ​to​ ​support​ ​the​ ​State​ ​Governments​ ​of
India.​ ​We​ ​also​ ​hope​ ​to​ ​use​ ​these​ ​partnerships​ ​as​ ​a​ ​model​ ​in​ ​other,​ ​similarly​ ​rural​ ​regions​ ​or
smaller​ ​towns​ ​in​ ​emerging​ ​destinations,​ ​including​ ​in​ ​BRICS​ ​nations.

US$1,240    15,000 
Typical​ ​annual​ ​income​ ​earned​ ​by​ ​Airbnb  Female​ ​entrepreneurs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​helped​ ​by 
female​ ​hosts​ ​in​ ​India  Airbnb​ ​through​ ​2019 
 
Women​ ​hosts​ ​make​ ​up​ ​55​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​global​ ​Airbnb​ ​host​ ​community​ ​and​ ​have​ ​earned​ ​more
than​ ​US$10​ ​billion​ ​in​ ​income​ ​on​ ​the​ ​platform​ ​since​ ​2008.8​ ​In​ ​India,​ ​a​ ​typical​ ​woman​ ​host​ ​earns
US$1,240​ ​annually,​ ​covering​ ​31​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​average​ ​annual​ ​household​ ​expenditure.​ ​And​ ​13
percent​ ​of​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​in​ ​India​ ​say​ ​they​ ​use​ ​their​ ​Airbnb​ ​income​ ​to​ ​support​ ​a​ ​new​ ​business.
Indian​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​are​ ​sharing​ ​their​ ​world​ ​with​ ​their​ ​guests,​ ​and​ ​about​ ​76​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​them​ ​say
they​ ​have​ ​hosted​ ​guests​ ​from​ ​other​ ​countries.

The​ ​journey​ ​is​ ​yet​ ​to​ ​finish.​ ​In​ ​March​ ​2017​ ​during​ ​his​ ​visit​ ​to​ ​India,​ ​Airbnb​ ​CEO​ ​and​ ​Head​ ​of
Global​ ​Community​ ​Brian​ ​Chesky​ ​met​ ​the​ ​Indian​ ​Prime​ ​Minister,​ ​Mr.​ ​Narendra​ ​Modi​ ​and
announced​ ​Airbnb’s​ ​goal​ ​of​ ​supporting​ ​50,000​ ​entrepreneurs​ ​in​ ​India,​ ​including​ ​at​ ​least​ ​15,000
women,​ ​by​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​2019.

8
​ ​Women​ ​Hosts​ ​and​ ​Airbnb​,​ ​March​ ​2017.

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​11 

China 
 
GUEST​ ​STORY:​ ​Ye​ ​Yuan

I’ve​ ​been​ ​traveling​ ​to​ ​eight​ ​countries​ ​and​ ​regions​ ​through​ ​Airbnb​ ​since​ ​2014.​ ​Most​ ​of​ ​the​ ​time,​ ​I
traveled​ ​by​ ​myself.​ ​My​ ​trip​ ​on​ ​Airbnb​ ​to​ ​Brazil​ ​as​ ​a​ ​volunteer​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Rio​ ​Olympics​ ​made​ ​my
dream​ ​come​ ​true​ ​and​ ​it​ ​will​ ​live​ ​forever​ ​in​ ​my​ ​memory.

I​ ​stayed​ ​in​ ​three​ ​listings​ ​while​ ​volunteering.​ ​The​ ​first​ ​10​ ​days,​ ​I​ ​lived​ ​with​ ​a​ ​welcoming​ ​older
lady.​ ​Although​ ​she​ ​didn’t​ ​speak​ ​English​ ​at​ ​all​ ​and​ ​always​ ​“talked”​ ​to​ ​me​ ​through​ ​Google
Translate,​ ​I​ ​could​ ​feel​ ​her​ ​passion.​ ​She​ ​showed​ ​me​ ​around​ ​the​ ​room​ ​and​ ​prepared​ ​snacks​ ​and
a​ ​beverage.

I​ ​also​ ​really​ ​want​ ​to​ ​share​ ​my​ ​experience​ ​living​ ​with​ ​other​ ​volunteers​ ​on​ ​an​ ​island.​ ​Yes,​ ​on​ ​an
island,​ ​commuting​ ​by​ ​ferry.​ ​About​ ​a​ ​hundred​ ​residents​ ​stay​ ​here​ ​with​ ​bars,​ ​pizza​ ​places​ ​and
shops​ ​which​ ​seem​ ​enough​ ​for​ ​their​ ​whole​ ​living.​ ​Our​ ​host​ ​was​ ​an​ ​actor​ ​who​ ​played​ ​a​ ​role​ ​in​ ​an
HBO​ ​TV​ ​series,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​met​ ​those​ ​lovely​ ​volunteers​ ​and​ ​we​ ​became​ ​a​ ​family.​ ​We​ ​made​ ​ourselves
dinner,​ ​went​ ​hiking,​ ​and​ ​hung​ ​around.​ ​The​ ​listing​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​a​ ​luxurious​ ​or​ ​unique​ ​one,​ ​but​ ​I
would​ ​call​ ​it​ ​“home”​ ​because​ ​of​ ​all​ ​the​ ​unique​ ​and​ ​wonderful​ ​memories​ ​I​ ​have​ ​of​ ​living​ ​there.
The​ ​Olympics​ ​and​ ​Airbnb​ ​connected​ ​us.​ ​That’s​ ​the​ ​experience​ ​I​ ​had​ ​never​ ​had.

In​ ​China,​ ​the​ ​rapid​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sharing​ ​economy​ ​and​ ​growth​ ​of​ ​Airbnb​ ​is​ ​partly
attributable​ ​to​ ​the​ ​rise​ ​of​ ​a​ ​new​ ​generation​ ​as​ ​millennials​ ​now​ ​account​ ​for​ ​32​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​total
population.9​ ​They​ ​are​ ​more​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​embrace​ ​the​ ​diverse,​ ​personalized​ ​way​ ​of​ ​life​ ​that​ ​the
sharing​ ​economy​ ​can​ ​provide.​ ​According​ ​to​ ​an​ ​Airbnb​ ​survey,​ ​about​ ​76​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Chinese
millennials​ ​said​ ​they​ ​are​ ​“very​ ​likely”​ ​or​ ​“somewhat​ ​likely”​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​staying​ ​in​ ​a​ ​home​ ​on
future​ ​trips,​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​a​ ​hotel​ ​or​ ​hostel.10​ ​It​ ​is​ ​therefore​ ​not​ ​surprising​ ​that​ ​Airbnb​ ​is​ ​popular
among​ ​millennial​ ​travelers​ ​in​ ​China,​ ​where​ ​83​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​all​ ​guests​ ​who​ ​have​ ​ever​ ​booked​ ​on
Airbnb​ ​are​ ​millennials​—​the​ ​highest​ ​percentage​ ​of​ ​any​ ​country​ ​globally.​ ​Over​ ​5.3​ ​million​ ​Chinese
guests​ ​have​ ​arrived​ ​at​ ​Airbnb​ ​listings​ ​within​ ​and​ ​beyond​ ​China​ ​since​ ​2008,​ ​with​ ​millennials
accounting​ ​for​ ​over​ ​4​ ​million.​ ​Among​ ​intra-BRICS​ ​travelers,​ ​the​ ​average​ ​age​ ​of​ ​Chinese​ ​guests
is​ ​significantly​ ​lower​ ​than​ ​guests​ ​from​ ​the​ ​other​ ​four​ ​nations.

Airbnb​ ​is​ ​helping​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​the​ ​next​ ​generation​ ​of​ ​Chinese​ ​to​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year,​ ​over
2.1​ ​million​ ​Chinese​ ​millennial​ ​travelers​ ​have​ ​traveled​ ​abroad​ ​through​ ​Airbnb,​ ​generating
US$200​ ​million​ ​in​ ​income​ ​for​ ​overseas​ ​hosts.​ ​Japan,​ ​Taiwan,​ ​Thailand,​ ​the​ ​US​ ​and​ ​Hong​ ​Kong
are​ ​the​ ​leading​ ​destinations​ ​for​ ​Chinese​ ​millennials.​ ​In​ ​particular,​ ​Japan​ ​attracts​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one
9
​ ​Airbnb​ ​and​ ​CTA​ ​Home​ ​Sharing​ ​Report,​ ​June​ ​2017
10
​ ​Airbnb​ ​Millennial​ ​Report​,​ ​Nov​ ​2016

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​12 

third​ ​of​ ​Chinese​ ​millennial​ ​travelers,​ ​most​ ​of​ ​whom​ ​visit​ ​Osaka​ ​City,​ ​Tokyo​ ​and​ ​Kyoto.​ ​Three
tier-1​ ​Chinese​ ​cities​—​Shanghai,​ ​Beijing​ ​and​ ​Guangzhou​—​stand​ ​out​ ​as​ ​the​ ​top​ ​origins​ ​of
Chinese​ ​millennial​ ​travelers​ ​on​ ​Airbnb.

2.1M   US$200M  
Chinese​ ​millennial​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​on  Overseas​ ​Airbnb​ ​host​ ​income​ ​generated 
Airbnb​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year  by​ ​Chinese​ ​millennial​ ​guests 

Chinese​ ​millennials​ ​are​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​something​ ​new​ ​when​ ​they​ ​travel​—​ ​something​ ​more
adventurous,​ ​local​ ​and​ ​personal,​ ​something​ ​only​ ​Airbnb​ ​can​ ​give​ ​them,​ ​as​ ​74​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Airbnb
listings​ ​are​ ​located​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​traditional​ ​hotel​ ​districts.​ ​And​ ​56​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Chinese​ ​millennials
prefer​ ​to​ ​stay​ ​in​ ​accommodations​ ​that​ ​are​ ​in​ ​interesting​ ​local​ ​neighborhoods​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​near
top​ ​tourist​ ​attractions.​ ​Whether​ ​or​ ​not​ ​the​ ​accommodations​ ​can​ ​offer​ ​opportunities​ ​to​ ​experience
local​ ​culture​ ​is​ ​an​ ​important​ ​driver​ ​for​ ​92​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Chinese​ ​millennials,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​feel
like​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​local​ ​community​ ​is​ ​another​ ​leading​ ​consideration,​ ​at​ ​86​ ​percent.

Travel​ ​increasingly​ ​is​ ​becoming​ ​an​ ​indispensable​ ​part​ ​of​ ​Chinese​ ​millennials’​ ​life.​ ​An​ ​absolute
majority​ ​of​ ​them​ ​said​ ​in​ ​the​ ​survey​ ​that​ ​“travel​ ​is​ ​an​ ​important​ ​part​ ​of​ ​who​ ​I​ ​am​ ​as​ ​a​ ​person,”​ ​and
83​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​them​ ​said​ ​they​ ​are​ ​spending​ ​more​ ​on​ ​travel​ ​than​ ​they​ ​did​ ​a​ ​year​ ​ago.​ ​The​ ​growth
of​ ​tourism​ ​is​ ​driving​ ​the​ ​upgrading​ ​of​ ​the​ ​tourism​ ​industry,​ ​in​ ​which​ ​Airbnb​ ​leads​ ​the​ ​way​ ​in
offering​ ​innovative​ ​travel​ ​experiences.

Through​ ​travel,​ ​China's​ ​millennial​ ​travelers​ ​not​ ​only​ ​identify​ ​and​ ​change​ ​themselves,​ ​but​ ​also
help​ ​reshape​ ​the​ ​image​ ​of​ ​Chinese​ ​travelers,​ ​and​ ​even​ ​the​ ​image​ ​of​ ​China,​ ​presenting​ ​a
younger​ ​and​ ​more​ ​welcoming​ ​face.​ ​Multiple​ ​factors​ ​including​ ​higher​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​education,​ ​more
mastery​ ​of​ ​foreign​ ​languages,​ ​curiosity​ ​and​ ​tolerance​ ​make​ ​them​ ​more​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​share​ ​their
experiences​ ​and​ ​cultures​ ​on​ ​the​ ​road.​ ​In​ ​this​ ​way,​ ​Chinese​ ​millennial​ ​travelers​ ​are​ ​playing​ ​the
role​ ​of​ ​civil​ ​ambassadors​ ​to​ ​spread​ ​Chinese​ ​culture​ ​and​ ​enhance​ ​mutual​ ​understanding.

On​ ​the​ ​other​ ​hand,​ ​a​ ​certain​ ​proportion​ ​of​ ​millennial​ ​travelers​ ​are​ ​also​ ​Airbnb​ ​hosts.​ ​Many​ ​of
them​ ​travel​ ​abroad​ ​and​ ​live​ ​like​ ​a​ ​local​ ​on​ ​Airbnb​ ​first,​ ​before​ ​becoming​ ​hosts.​ ​The​ ​average​ ​age
of​ ​the​ ​China​ ​host​ ​community​ ​is​ ​33,​ ​but​ ​43​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​hosts​ ​are​ ​under​ ​the​ ​age​ ​of​ ​30.​ ​Our​ ​entire
Chinese​ ​host​ ​community​ ​welcomed​ ​over​ ​2.2​ ​million​ ​domestic​ ​and​ ​international​ ​guests​ ​in​ ​the
past​ ​year​ ​with​ ​a​ ​year-over-year​ ​growth​ ​rate​ ​at​ ​287​ ​percent,​ ​among​ ​which​ ​Shanghai,​ ​Beijing​ ​and
Hangzhou​ ​saw​ ​most​ ​guest​ ​arrivals.​ ​Like​ ​hosts​ ​from​ ​other​ ​BRICS​ ​nations,​ ​Chinese​ ​hosts​ ​are
enjoying​ ​the​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​and​ ​are​ ​leveraging​ ​the​ ​income​ ​that​ ​Airbnb​ ​provides​ ​for
expenditures​ ​such​ ​as​ ​housing​ ​or​ ​even​ ​support​ ​new​ ​business.​ ​In​ ​particular,​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​benefit
more​ ​from​ ​hosting​ ​guests,​ ​earning​ ​more​ ​than​ ​their​ ​male​ ​counterparts​ ​with​ ​17​ ​percent​ ​of
Chinese​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​saying​ ​that​ ​they​ ​would​ ​use​ ​their​ ​Airbnb​ ​income​ ​to​ ​support​ ​a​ ​new
business.

Across​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​|​ ​Airbnb​ ​|​ ​13 

South​ ​Africa  
HOST​ ​STORY:​ ​Belinda

I’ve​ ​been​ ​hosting​ ​on​ ​Airbnb​ ​for​ ​a​ ​little​ ​over​ ​a​ ​year​ ​now.​ ​It’s​ ​been​ ​a​ ​really​ ​enriching​ ​and
rewarding​ ​experience​ ​for​ ​me,​ ​and​ ​has​ ​far​ ​exceeded​ ​my​ ​expectations​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​what​ ​the
platform​ ​delivers​ ​individually​ ​and​ ​collectively.​ ​For​ ​me,​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​is​ ​an​ ​immensely​ ​intimate
experience.​ ​It​ ​encourages​ ​meaningful​ ​connection​ ​between​ ​humans​ ​from​ ​the​ ​first​ ​engagement.
In​ ​today’s​ ​technologically-driven​ ​world,​ ​where​ ​we​ ​are​ ​more​ ​connected​ ​yet​ ​ironically​ ​more
disconnected​ ​than​ ​ever,​ ​I​ ​love​ ​that​ ​Airbnb​ ​allows​ ​me​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​so​ ​authentically​ ​with​ ​people
from​ ​all​ ​walks​ ​of​ ​life​ ​around​ ​the​ ​globe.​ ​Most​ ​of​ ​my​ ​guests​ ​arrive​ ​as​ ​visitors,​ ​but​ ​leave​ ​as​ ​friends.

As​ ​a​ ​South​ ​African​ ​who​ ​has​ ​travelled​ ​extensively​ ​(more​ ​than​ ​70​ ​countries​ ​at​ ​last​ ​count),​ ​I’ve
enjoyed​ ​being​ ​able​ ​to​ ​share​ ​and​ ​discuss​ ​the​ ​often​ ​troubled​ ​story​ ​of​ ​my​ ​own​ ​country​ ​with​ ​my
guests.​ ​I’ve​ ​found​ ​that​ ​they​ ​are​ ​intrigued​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​South​ ​Africa's​ ​interesting​ ​socio-political
history​ ​through​ ​my​ ​eyes,​ ​the​ ​person​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​they​ ​are​ ​sharing​ ​a​ ​home.​ ​It’s​ ​an​ ​utterly​ ​unique
experience.

Hosting​ ​is​ ​helping​ ​me​ ​make​ ​some​ ​great​ ​connections​ ​in​ ​my​ ​local​ ​community​ ​too.​ ​A​ ​local​ ​person,
Sibu,​ ​acts​ ​as​ ​concierge​ ​and​ ​car​ ​security​ ​guard.​ ​My​ ​cleaner​ ​Lulu,​ ​a​ ​recent​ ​migrant​ ​from​ ​the
Eastern​ ​Cape​ ​who​ ​doesn’t​ ​speak​ ​much​ ​English,​ ​now​ ​earns​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​her​ ​kids’​ ​school​ ​fees.
Moses,​ ​a​ ​Zimbabwean​ ​refugee,​ ​makes​ ​sure​ ​everything​ ​in​ ​the​ ​house​ ​functions​ ​optimally​ ​for
guests.​ ​So​ ​it’s​ ​not​ ​only​ ​me​ ​who​ ​is​ ​benefiting​ ​–​ ​others,​ ​especially​ ​those​ ​less​ ​economically
fortunate​ ​than​ ​me,​ ​are​ ​also​ ​reaping​ ​rewards​ ​from​ ​this​ ​micro-enterprise.

For​ ​me​ ​personally,​ ​Airbnb​ ​embodies​ ​the​ ​spirit​ ​of​ ​“Ubuntu,”​ ​a​ ​community-driven​ ​foundation​ ​of
South​ ​African​ ​culture:​ ​“I​ ​am​ ​what​ ​I​ ​am​ ​because​ ​of​ ​who​ ​we​ ​all​ ​are.”

Since​ ​2010,​ ​Airbnb​ ​has​ ​been​ ​helping​ ​South​ ​African​ ​households​ ​and​ ​communities​ ​create
economic​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​themselves​ ​through​ ​innovative,​ ​sustainable​ ​travel.​ ​Six​ ​hundred
twenty​ ​thousand​ ​guests​ ​arrived​ ​at​ ​Airbnb​ ​listings​ ​in​ ​South​ ​Africa​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year,​ ​representing
year-over-year​ ​growth​ ​of​ ​144​ ​percent.​ ​The​ ​leading​ ​countries​ ​of​ ​origin​ ​are​ ​the​ ​US,​ ​the​ ​UK​ ​and
Germany;​ ​Brazil​ ​ranks​ ​ninth​ ​among​ ​all​ ​countries​ ​of​ ​origin.​ ​Across​ ​the​ ​five​ ​BRICS​ ​nations,
year-over-year​ ​growth​ ​in​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​from​ ​within​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​has​ ​been​ ​highest​ ​here.

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 269,000    204%  
Domestic​ ​guest​ ​arrivals​ ​within​ ​the​ ​past  Year-over-year​ ​growth​ ​in​ ​domestic​ ​guest 
year  arrivals 
 
Our​ ​work​ ​now​ ​underway​ ​with​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​in​ ​Cape​ ​Town’s​ ​townships​ ​offers​ ​an​ ​especially
compelling​ ​example​ ​of​ ​the​ ​economic​ ​empowerment​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​can​ ​bring.​ I​ n​ ​Langa
Township,​ ​Airbnb​ ​is​ ​partnering​ ​with​ ​iKhaya​ ​Ie​ ​Langa,​​ ​a​ ​nonprofit​ ​dedicated​ ​to​ ​revitalizing​ ​the
area​ ​through​ ​social​ ​enterprise​ ​and​ ​tourism.​ ​Local​ ​residents​ ​are​ ​trained​ ​to​ ​use​ ​the​ ​Airbnb
platform​ ​as​ ​hosts.​ ​Our​ ​CEO​ ​and​ ​Head​ ​of​ ​Community,​ ​Brian​ ​Chesky,​ ​has​ ​personally​ ​affirmed​ ​our
goal​ ​of​ ​helping​ ​50​ ​Langa​ ​women​ ​become​ ​Airbnb​ ​hosts​ ​by​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​2017.

Unlike​ ​other​ ​means​ ​of​ ​earning​ ​that​ ​involve​ ​technology,​ ​the​ ​barriers​ ​to​ ​entry​ ​for​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​on
the​ ​Airbnb​ ​platform​ ​are​ ​low.​ ​Globally,​ ​the​ ​average​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​time​ ​between​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​host
activating​ ​her​ ​listing​ ​and​ ​receiving​ ​her​ ​first​ ​booking​ ​request​ ​is​ ​three​ ​weeks,​ ​and​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​on
average​ ​receive​ ​3.6​ ​booking​ ​requests​ ​per​ ​30​ ​days​ ​on​ ​the​ ​platform.11​ ​In​ ​Langa​ ​and​ ​other​ ​South
African​ ​townships,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​working​ ​with​ ​partner​ ​NGOs​ ​to​ ​help​ ​aspiring​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​receive
training​ ​and​ ​support​ ​they​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​successful.

Maria,​ ​an​ ​Airbnb​ ​host​ ​who​ ​lives​ ​in​ ​a​ ​township​ ​near​ ​Cape​ ​Town,​ ​sees​ ​how​ ​hosting​ ​on​ ​Airbnb
hasn’t​ ​just​ ​changed​ ​her​ ​life,​ ​but​ ​has​ ​had​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​her​ ​entire​ ​community:​ ​“T​en​ ​years
ago,​ ​these​ ​opportunities​ ​weren’t​ ​there.​ ​Township​ ​tourism​ ​put​ ​my​ ​community​ ​on​ ​the​ ​map.
Helping​ ​my​ ​community​ ​to​ ​be​ ​closer​ ​to​ ​one​ ​another​ ​and​ ​to​ ​be​ ​more​ ​proud​ ​of​ ​where​ ​they​ ​come
from.”

In​ ​2016,​ ​63​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​Airbnb​ ​hosts​ ​in​ ​South​ ​Africa​ ​were​ ​women.​ ​A​ ​recent​ ​study​ ​of​ ​Airbnb’s
global​ ​women​ ​host​ ​community​ ​found​ ​that​ ​the​ ​typical​ ​woman​ ​host​ ​in​ ​South​ ​Africa​ ​earned​ ​nearly
US$2,000​ ​last​ ​year,​ ​more​ ​income​ ​than​ ​earned​ ​by​ ​the​ ​typical​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​in​ ​Brazil,​ ​China​ ​or
India​ ​(Russia​ ​was​ ​not​ ​included​ ​in​ ​the​ ​study).​ ​More​ ​than​ ​60​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​in​ ​South
Africa​ ​are​ ​Superhosts​—hosts​ ​who​ ​are​ ​specially​ ​designated​ ​by​ ​Airbnb​ ​as​ ​hosting​ ​guests
frequently,​ ​receiving​ ​a​ ​high​ ​number​ ​of​ ​five-star​ ​reviews,​ ​and​ ​being​ ​exceptionally​ ​responsive​ ​to
guests​ ​and​ ​committed​ ​to​ ​reservations.​ ​Sixty​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​South​ ​African​ ​women​ ​hosts​ ​with
children,​ ​i.e.,​ ​single​ ​mothers,​ ​use​ ​their​ ​Airbnb​ ​income​ ​to​ ​help​ ​them​ ​stay​ ​in​ ​their​ ​homes.

While​ ​Airbnb​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​panacea​ ​for​ ​the​ ​many​ ​obstacles​ ​to​ ​greater​ ​empowerment​ ​that​ ​women​ ​face
worldwide,​ ​our​ ​community​ ​is​ ​home​ ​to​ ​an​ ​already​ ​massive​ ​and​ ​rapidly​ ​growing​ ​number​ ​of​ ​women
hosts​ ​in​ ​countries​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​and​ ​our​ ​work​ ​in​ ​South​ ​Africa​ ​in​ ​particular​ ​demonstrates​ ​how
Airbnb​ ​can​ ​be​ ​a​ ​powerful​ ​way​ ​for​ ​women​ ​in​ ​emerging​ ​economies​ ​to​ ​independently​ ​achieve
greater​ ​financial,​ ​professional,​ ​and​ ​social​ ​empowerment.

11
​ ​Women​ ​Hosts​ ​and​ ​Airbnb​,​ ​March​ ​2017.

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Conclusion  

BRICS​ ​nations​ ​are​ ​embracing​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​and​ ​at​ ​Airbnb,​ ​we​ ​look​ ​forward​ ​to​ ​working​ ​with​ ​our
community,​ ​policymakers​ ​and​ ​other​ ​stakeholders​ ​to​ ​further​ ​extend​ ​the​ ​economic​ ​and​ ​travel
opportunities​ ​home​ ​sharing​ ​is​ ​bringing​ ​to​ ​parts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world​ ​beyond​ ​advanced​ ​economies.
Whether​ ​by​ ​partnering​ ​with​ ​organizers​ ​of​ ​major​ ​events​ ​to​ ​scale​ ​up​ ​accommodation,​ ​or​ ​working
with​ ​governments​ ​and​ ​NGOs​ ​to​ ​empower​ ​women,​ ​or​ ​echoing​ ​the​ ​trend​ ​of​ ​sharing​ ​economy
development,​ ​Airbnb​ ​helps​ ​people​ ​and​ ​communities​ ​in​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​nations​ ​to​ ​benefit​ ​from​ ​the
economics​ ​of​ ​tourism​ ​in​ ​ways​ ​they​ ​historically​ ​have​ ​not,​ ​and​ ​likely​ ​otherwise​ ​would​ ​not.​ ​This
builds​ ​up​ ​trust​ ​between​ ​individual​ ​hosts​ ​and​ ​guests​ ​and​ ​lays​ ​the​ ​foundation​ ​for​ ​a​ ​mutual
understanding​ ​on​ ​social​ ​and​ ​economic​ ​development​ ​among​ ​economies.

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Methodology 

Countries​ ​studied​ ​exclusively​ ​for​ ​this​ ​report​ ​include:​ ​Brazil,​ ​Russia,​ ​India,​ ​China,​ ​and​ ​Russia.
The​ ​analysis​ ​was​ ​based​ ​on​ ​all​ ​travel​ ​to,​ ​from,​ ​and​ ​within​ ​the​ ​BRICS​ ​nations​ ​during​ ​the​ ​one-year
period​ ​from​ ​August​ ​2016​ ​through​ ​July​ ​2017.​ ​The​ ​report​ ​also​ ​refers​ ​to​ ​previously​ ​published​ ​data
both​ ​from​ ​Airbnb​ ​and​ ​from​ ​external​ ​sources​ ​such​ ​as​ ​the​ ​World​ ​Economic​ ​Forum,​ ​World​ ​Bank,
UNWTO,​ ​World​ ​Travel​ ​and​ ​Tourism​ ​Council,​ ​and​ ​China​ ​Tourism​ ​Academy.

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