Over 56 per cent of these women received five-star reviews, demonstrating their excellence in hospitality
This International Women’s Day, Airbnb is celebrating the growing community of women hosts and travellers who are fostering gender equality through entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Embracing this year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, Airbnb highlights the vital role women play in shaping India’s hospitality sector while leveraging the platform for financial independence and inclusivity.
In 2024, Indian women hosts, who constitute nearly 30 per cent of Airbnb’s host community, collectively earned approximately Rs 2.6 billion. Over 56 per cent of these women received five-star reviews, demonstrating their excellence in hospitality. Additionally, nearly 35 per cent of Guest Favourite listings in India are hosted by women, reinforcing their impact on the sector.
Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for India and Southeast Asia, stated, “At Airbnb, we are committed to accelerating action for gender equality by providing a platform where women can thrive. Our data reflects that women hosts are delivering exceptional hospitality while achieving financial independence. Women travellers are also embracing Airbnb with confidence. As we mark this International Women’s Day, we acknowledge the need to collectively accelerate our efforts towards a more equitable future.”
Women travellers in India are also making their presence felt on Airbnb. Millennials led the way in bookings in 2024, followed by Gen Zs. The most preferred trip type for women travellers was duo travel, followed by group trips, with most trips lasting between two to six nights.
Domestically, Goa was the top choice for Indian women travellers, followed by Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and Jaipur. Varanasi saw an over 75 per cent rise in bookings compared to 2023, making it the fastest-growing domestic destination, with Ahmedabad and Mathura also witnessing increased interest.
For international travel, London was the most popular destination among Indian women in 2024, followed by Dubai, Bangkok, Paris, and Rome. Tbilisi emerged as the fastest-growing international destination, with a nearly 145 per cent surge in bookings from Indian female travellers, followed by Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok, and Sydney.
As part of its commitment to #AccelerateAction for gender equality, Airbnb continues to empower women through inclusive opportunities in the hospitality sector, supporting both hosts and travellers in their entrepreneurial journeys.
