The Airbnb platform has grown exponentially since 2007 when the co-founders first came up with an idea to turn their living room into a bed and breakfast by renting out air mattresses on their floor.
Airbnb is now a very popular online marketplace that connects Airbnb hosts who have spaces to rent with people who are looking for accommodation.
Today, Airbnb is fast becoming a favourite website and app for travellers to browse and book their accommodation when planning a holiday.
Many travellers are seeking to experience places like the locals do, which is why Airbnb has become so favoured.
For years travellers have been trying to get off the beaten path and when Airbnb launched it opened up new unique spots, previously unavailable before.
Everyday new hosts continue to join the platform, therefore it continually opens up a new world of experiences and possibilities for curious travellers looking for a vacation rental.
Photography and travel have taken me to some incredible places. I use Airbnb regularly and it has allowed me to not only find accommodation in these places, but to find home comforts at a good price when in a new city or foreign land.
From luxury apartments to fancy tents, and even gypsy wagons, Airbnb has provided me with some incredible memories.
Did you know that you can host your space on Airbnb and make a second income?
When talking to fellow travellers, many people do not realise how easy it is to become an Airbnb host and rent out their empty space. It seems that even if they do, some people are on the fence on if the profits are worth the time and effort to become an Airbnb host.
Here are my top 5 reasons why you should jump into becoming an Airbnb host:
1. It’s fast becoming one of the easiest ways to make a second income
Everyone is talking about having a side hustle or making a passive income these days. Renting your space through Airbnb is one of the easiest ways to make some extra cash with little effort.
2. You don’t have to own a second home, it could just be a spare room
Maybe your children could have finally moved out and their bedroom is now unoccupied. Or you could have retired recently and now have empty office space. Instead of just leaving these spaces empty you should turn them into an inviting guest room or vacation rental which could make you a profitable income.
3. Hosting on Airbnb can provide you with memorable experiences too
4. You could potentially make new friends from all around the world
Airbnb is consistently connecting people and creating friendships that would never have existed if the platform didn’t exist. By creating memorable experiences for people that stay with you, the more likely they will stay in touch and become life-long friends.
5. The best part is it is free to list your space
If it is free to list, what do you have to lose? You also get to set your own price on what you will charge your guests. Airbnb will deduct a small host service fee from each payout you receive.
Sounds good right?
The Airbnb website has an awesome calculator that estimates your potential earnings depending on if you are renting an entire place, private room or shared room in your local area. It calculates the median nightly price based on booking data in the area, then multiplies it by an average of occupied nights to get an estimated figure of your monthly earnings.
It uses data from others in your area on how often they get bookings to estimate the number of nights you might host. Depending on where you live you could make a very decent side hustle.
As soon as you list your vacation rental space on Airbnb, you can sit back and watch the enquiries and bookings come in. Airbnb charges guests before arrival ensuring you are getting paid on time, every time, when you host. You don’t have to handle any money directly.
If you have ever wanted to own your own business, this is a great way to start. You get to be your own boss by hosting a vacation rental on Airbnb. Like the idea of hosting your space, but don’t like the idea of cleaning?
You can easily get in touch with a local company to do that work for you. Don’t let the thought of cleaning stop you from missing out on a perfect opportunity to make an additional income.
Final thoughts
With roughly 5.6 million listings across 200 countries, Airbnb has become a go to place for travellers looking for accommodation. The platform is likely to continue to grow, as travellers continue to seek out new experiences across the globe.
Airbnb has a great support network to help guide you on all the things you need to do to become a host. Don’t let that empty space go to waste, become an Airbnb Host today, and start earning your second income. Happy Hosting!
Don’t forget to get in touch if you are looking for some professional photos to showcase your space on your Airbnb listing. My affordable Airbnb photography package provides you with high resolution images which will represent the key features of your space. Remember, first impressions matter!
I’m based in Swansea, South Wales but available anywhere! You can see my full range of services on this page.
The Airbnb website states that hosts can earn up to 20% more with professional photos of your listings. In addition, according to Airbnb the photos of your space are one of the top 3 reasons guests choose to book after location and price.
If you’re feeling inspired check out my other travel resources for more tips!
DISCLOSURE: I may earn a small commission from some of the links above. For the benefit of the doubt, please assume all links might be affiliate links.
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