Bangkok – Seniors (hosts and guests aged 60 and older) have been a growing and integral part of the Airbnb community for many years — they are growing fast, earning important extra income, and continue to be the most-loved of any age group. They are fast growing, are booking on Airbnb in increasing numbers, and leading a new trend of multi-generation family travel beyond traditional tourist districts to experience local, authentic neighbourhoods.
Globally, senior hosts are the fastest-growing of any age group of hosts on Airbnb, and there are now over 400,000 senior hosts on Airbnb worldwide. In 2017, senior hosts around the world earned over 65 billion baht, hosted over 13.5 million guest arrivals at their listings, and welcomed travellers from over 150 countries.
In Thailand, there are currently almost 1,500 senior hosts on Airbnb, representing a year-on-year increase of more than 26%. Senior hosts earned a combined total of close to THB300 million, welcoming over 52,000 guests into their homes. They also ranked among the most loved hosts in the world — senior hosts are the best-rated host age group in Thailand with more than 83% of reviews of senior hosts receiving five stars.
Thai Experience Host, Sirichan, shared: “I first become an Airbnb Host two years ago. My home is quite unique, over 100 years old, and I wanted to share its fascinating Thai architectural legacy with visitors who wished to experience something traditionally Thai while learning to cook Thai food. Since then I have made many friendships from being a Host. It’s almost like becoming a member of my Guest’s family and I have enjoyed sharing moments of happiness together.”
Siew Kum Hong, Airbnb Regional Director, APAC says: “Known for their renowned welcoming hospitality and as avid world travellers, it’s not surprising that seniors in Thailand are aging meaningfully by embracing the home sharing community. As the travel industry continues to grow, Airbnb promotes tourism that is local, authentic, diverse, inclusive, and sustainable, creating new economic opportunities for hosts in the homes and communities where they live.”
Thailand’s Senior Guests are World’s Most Active on Airbnb
Globally, senior guests are now the fastest-growing of any age group on Airbnb, with the number of seniors who have booked on the platform growing 66% in the past year.
Thailand’s seniors are the world’s most active on Airbnb, topping the list of countries with the highest proportion of senior guests on Airbnb. Across the country, seniors who booked on Airbnb grew 62% in the past year alone, a figure that is expected to continuing trending up as a quarter of Thailand’s population are expected to be 65+ by 2040.
Countries with the highest proportion of over 60s traveling on Airbnb* are:
- Thailand
- Japan
- United States of America
- United Kingdom
- France
- Australia
- Italy
- Germany
*Minimum 1000 guests
In turn, seniors around the world are flocking to Thailand for their getaways. Airbnb’s top trending destinations** in Thailand among seniors include:
- Rawai, Phuket – 73.68%
- Kathu, Phuket – 56.78%
- Chiang Mai – 53.59%
**Defined as the cities with greatest YoY increase in # of bookings by senior guests for 2018 travel compared to 2017
Thai senior Winai Kharuwannapat, who uses Airbnb extensively on his travels, commented: “I have used Airbnb for more than four years already and my Airbnb Hosts have all been excellent, very considerate and take care of me like I am a member of their family. They also make some useful local recommendations. I screen Airbnb Hosts in advance by looking at reviews from previous guests and this gives me peace-of-mind and confidence when I travel. Pricing is always reasonable and the quality of accommodation good, and often Hosts assist with airport transfers which makes my travel convenient and enjoyable.”
“It’s perhaps no surprise that we’re seeing such strong growth in this demographic. Seniors are healthier and wealthier than they’ve ever been, while also tending to take more and longer trips than other age groups,” noted Greg Greeley, President of Homes, Airbnb.
Thailand Seniors Leading Multi-Generational Family Travel
Seniors are also at the forefront of a growing trend in Airbnb bookings: multi-generational family travel, where the booking guest is a senior traveling with children or an infant.
In the past year, multi-generational travel in Thailand noted a significant Thailand has seen 55% increase growth in multi-generational travel, with more than 40% being of which are first-time bookings. Popular travel destinations include Bangkok, Auckland, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Sydney, Kyoto and Taipei, with an average booking value of THB4,700 per night.
Airbnb homes often provide amenities that make them ideal for family getaways: kitchens, shared dining spaces, and individual bedrooms and bathrooms. This is an accelerating trend on Airbnb: multi-generational family travel bookings have grown 75% in the past year. And in 2018, over half of these multi-generational bookings have been by first-time bookers new to the Airbnb community.