New report by Oxford Economics highlights Airbnb’s role in fuelling domestic tourism, rural travel, and job creation across India
Airbnb contributed Rs 113 billion to India’s GDP in 2024 and supported 111,000 jobs, according to new research by Oxford Economics commissioned by the platform. The report underscores Airbnb’s growing role in India’s travel ecosystem, driven largely by domestic tourism and rising interest in non-urban destinations.
The study revealed that domestic travellers accounted for 91 per cent of Airbnb guests in India in 2024, up from 79 per cent in 2019, making India one of Airbnb’s fastest-growing markets. Guest spending reached Rs 112 billion, with daily spends of around Rs 11,000 on essentials like dining, shopping and transport.
Airbnb’s economic activity contributed Rs 24 billion in wages while injecting significant value into allied sectors such as transport and storage (Rs 31 billion), agriculture (Rs 15 billion), real estate (Rs 13 billion) and manufacturing (Rs 12 billion).
The platform’s footprint accounted for 0.5 per cent of India’s travel and tourism GDP and supported 0.2 per cent of tourism-related jobs in 2024 — equivalent to one in every 417 jobs in the sector.
Notably, non-urban gross booking value tripled since 2019, with rural and lesser-known destinations attracting a growing share of travel demand.
James Lambert, Director of Economic Consulting Asia at Oxford Economics, said:
“Airbnb is playing an important role in India’s tourism market by broadening access to travel and dispersing its benefits more widely across the country. By connecting travellers with unique stays in lesser-known destinations, the platform is helping drive demand and create economic opportunities for local communities.”
Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Head – Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, added:
“Domestic travel continues to be the primary engine of tourism in India, fuelling micro-entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses. This momentum signals a broader shift toward more inclusive, locally driven tourism, and we remain committed to partnering with governments and communities to sustain long-term growth.”
