Airbnb is proud to celebrate its global community of women hosts during International Women's Day which falls on March 8, 2017. Since the company's founding in 2008, more than a million women have shared their homes with travellers, earning over 350 billion baht in the process.
Major progress has been made in advancing economic opportunities for women over the past several decades; the sharing economy is one such variable that can be leveraged to have a positive impact on women[1].
Through supplemental income earned, Airbnb estimated that:
? Over 50,000 women around the world have used the additional funds to support entrepreneurship activities, be it launching a business or adding to the pool of investment capital for a new business they're starting.
? Women hosts use their supplemental income to support home ownership, especially single mothers.[2]
? The majority of senior women hosts (defined as 60 years and older) are empty nesters who open their homes to make ends meet; the average senior host earns just THB 210,000 a year, which aids in their retirement.
? In 2016 alone, over 200,000 female hosts worldwide earned at least THB 175,000 each through hosting on Airbnb.
The number of women hosts on Airbnb in Thailand has grown 43 times since 2012, and the typical female host in Indonesia earns approximately THB 88,795 per year. For many, this money is providing vital assistance – whether it's to help pay bills, pursue passions or support entrepreneurship endeavours.
Robin Kwok, Airbnb Country Manager for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, says, "Airbnb is home to a massive, rapidly growing number of women hosts who are connecting with guests, each other, and their local communities. We are incredibly proud to support our worldwide community of female hosts and to play a role in helping them achieve greater financial, professional, and social empowerment."
To mark this incredible milestone, here are some of the inspirational women in Thailand who are sharing their homes on Airbnb.
Aenoi Pattanapongsa, 40 years old, Chiang Mai
"We want to be part of someone's happy journey to our beloved town just like our first experience with Airbnb many years earlier. After having the first great experiences with Airbnb in 2010, I put my home up on Airbnb so travellers can experience the same hospitality I felt too.Guest have left us little gifts like stuffed toys and messages, and we started displaying it in the room. We are really moved that "people in this community are good people and if we have good intentions, good people will come to us".
Wipawe Sirikolkarn, 26 years old, Bangkok Thailand
I'm a native Bangkokian who decided to travel the miles and pursue my dream of being a great designer in the good 'ol California. After acquiring my degree in graphic design, I travelled some extra miles and landed at the Big Apple, a dreamer's Promised Land. Airbnb helps me with my school feesI enjoy meeting inspiring people from around the world and most of the time, I find that I receive more than I give from hosting - all the warm feelings and the experience travelers share with me.I believe in local community. I myself use Airbnb when I travel so that I can experience what life is like in that place so I try to provide the same opportunity for travellers in Bangkok.A lot of guests which we still keep contact even after their stay.I travel to inspire and get inspired. My next travel goal is to explore the free spirits (and awesome drinks) in Spain. Let's get connected!
Airbnb is also proud to partner with a number of dedicated organizations in their ongoing work to support equality and female empowerment around the world:
? Airbnb's partnership with Global Fund for Women supports mission-critical travel for women non-profit leaders and activists to attend training across the globe.
? In partnership with Vital Voices, Airbnb is supporting the travel needs of extraordinary women entrepreneurs around the world, supporting access to different markets, networking and professional development opportunities.
? Airbnb is also working with the Self-Employed Women's Association of India (SEWA), one of India's largest female trade unions aimed at promoting women's rural livelihood opportunities.