To mark International Women’s Day, and taking note of the ever-evolving travel industry, Airbnb’s Global Head of Hosting opines on the rise of women hosts in India.
Ranjana Patil’s journey has taken her from being a longtime primary school teacher in Pune and Ladakh to being a highly successful Superhost on Airbnb. Having travelled the world on Airbnb, visiting more than 20 countries around the world, Patil was inspired to kickstart her own hosting journey. She is now able to channel her passion for travelling into a successful business and incorporates her own unique travel experiences into those she curates for her guests. Patil hosts a large private room with a 24×7 kitchen, a common area full of books for the avid reader, and a rare private garden in Mumbai. From starting as a business opportunity, for Patil, hosting has now become a way of life, enabling her to pursue her passions while creating an income opportunity for herself and her daughter.
Right after the pandemic, Cheryl Gonsalves, a software engineer, began her entrepreneurial journey with hosting a two-bedroom apartment. She is now a Superhost of seven Airbnb homes in Goa. Her listings are equipped with remote working features such as high-speed WiFi and offer proximity to some of Goa’s most exciting shacks, restaurants and nightlife experiences.
These are some of the many inspiring stories of women Hosts in India with a passion for travel and hospitality, and who are using their own experiences as travellers to create a truly unique stay for each guest they host. Their journeys, in many ways, mirror the resurgence and transformation of travel and tourism in India.
The Rise of Women Hosts in India
In the last three years, we have seen fundamental and enduring shifts in the way people approach travel and living. These shifts are also creating new opportunities for both, individuals and communities looking to make the most of this travel revolution. Travellers are increasingly looking to explore off-the-beaten paths and one-of-a-kind stays such as treehouses, houseboats and farm stays. Hospitality in India is a deep-rooted tradition. Its spirit is embodied in Atithi Devo Bhava (guest is God) and welcoming the guest into one’s home. Hosting on Airbnb is providing a way for women across the country to offer this hospitality. Women like Patil and Gonsalves are emerging as some of the most innovative Hosts, providing their guests with authentic, warm, homely, and personalised experiences.
In fact, women are at the heart of the Airbnb Host Community. As of December 31, last year, 55 percent of our global community of four million Hosts self-identify as women and these women Hosts have accounted for more than USD 25 billion in earnings last year*. This is a testament to the impact hosting is creating for women. Additionally, women Hosts in India, cumulatively earned over INR 1 billion in 2022, according to Airbnb’s internal data, with women Hosts over 60 years of age earning more than INR 200 million in India in 2022**. For many, this income provides a crucial boost for their retirement plans.
Empowering Women
View this post on Instagram
These entrepreneurial women are not only leveraging hosting as a way to help secure their financial independence and make ends meet for them and their families, but are also helping to drive economic development and resilience in their communities. Many are also finding their journey of entrepreneurship personally fulfilling. For some, hosting on Airbnb has served as an anchor during challenging times.
Pari Sharma, an Airbnb Host, started her hosting journey amid a difficult battle with cancer. “I had a choice,” she says, “to let my illness define me and give into my difficult circumstances, or embrace my experience as a ‘rediscovery’. I chose not just to survive, but to also thrive as an entrepreneur. Becoming a Host was a great journey of self-growth for me, and I encourage women across the country to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship in every possible way.”
Patil, Gonsalves, and Sharma are playing a critical role in not only bringing valuable tourist dollars to their communities, but also helping to create entrepreneurial networks that empower more women to build their own businesses. Many women help others start their hosting journey through roles as Superhost Ambassadors, and offer advice through local Airbnb Host Clubs on Facebook.
The recovery of travel is also creating opportunities for first-time women Hosts in economically vulnerable communities as well, which have traditionally missed out on the benefits of tourism. Through organisations like SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association)--which Airbnb has partnered with to help economically empower rural women–Hosts like Rigzin Wangmo from Ladakh and Gauriben from Gujarat are supporting their communities at the grassroots, by sharing their homes and welcoming guests.
Together, these stories paint an encouraging picture for the future of travel. Women are increasingly stepping into the forefront of the travel and hospitality space. In India, for example, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Delhi and West Bengal are home to the largest number of women Hosts.***
Rising Opportunities
View this post on Instagram
Indians are embracing responsible, community-led travel experiences, according to a recent survey by YouGov**** and we believe there is an opportunity for women Hosts in India to provide what guests are looking for. According to the survey, 94 percent of respondents said they’d look at sustainable travel when they plan their next trip. Travellers are also seeking to immerse themselves in local communities and learn what matters most to them so they can meaningfully contribute to their development, with two-thirds of Indians placing importance on using travel to forge connections with the communities they are visiting. By sharing their homes with visitors, hosting on Airbnb allows Indians to help foster these meaningful connections for travellers and encourage more sustainable travel choices. More than 80 percent of survey respondents have also shown a preference for unique accommodations such as farm stays, tree houses, tiny huts, amongst others, which speaks to the tremendous opportunity that exists for enterprising women Hosts.
This opportunity also extends to local communities. Airbnb is committed to working together with governments and other stakeholders across India, to help ensure as many of these communities can share in the benefits of travel, as possible. Women will continue to play a crucial role in this, with their entrepreneurial efforts helping to make sure travel is empowering and inclusive into the future.
*Based on Airbnb internal data measuring percentage of women Hosts and Hosts earning globally (Hosts who self reported themselves as women), as of December 31, 2022.
**Based on Airbnb internal data measuring Hosts earnings in India in 2022 (between January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022)
*** Based on Airbnb internal data of women Hosts (Hosts who self reported themselves as women) in India as of December 31, 2022.
****Based on a YouGov survey of a total of 1499 Indians, conducted between February 2-10, 2021.
Related: TL Exclusive: Ahead Of International Women’s Day, Airbnb Celebrates Women Who Host & Travel
Catherine Powell
Most popular
Most popular
