Airbnb top among Brics countries

Out of the BRICS countries, South Africa received the largest amount of Airbnb guests from emerging economies, read a recent report. 

As a result, South African hosts have earned a total of $1.88 million in revenue from Brics-based guests, with women making up 63% of hosts in 2016.

“Being able to optimise your home to earn an income while you are not there is an incredible and accessible opportunity,” said Holly Jade Courtenay, who’s a regular, seasonal host on Airbnb.

While the report highlighted that 60% of their female hosts were single mothers, other women were hosts on behalf of their households which included their spouses. 

For Courtenay and her husband, this makes up a valuable bit of income since they are both self-employed business owners who don’t earn a 13^th cheque.

READ: Surviving without your 13^th cheque

“We rent our place out through Airbnb when we are away for extended periods of time (usually a week or more) and during the holidays, like December and over New Years,” explained Courtenay.

“We generally have an international couple, family, or group of friends stay in our two bedroom home, and the income generated is usually enough to pay for our holiday away and cover the next month’s rent – we are not homeowners yet,” she added.

Outside of Brics countries, South African hosts most often encounter American, British, and German citizens.

Courtenay also uses the extra income to purchase items for their home, like a new leather couch, which would have cost them more if they had to pay it off monthly.

She insists it’s worth the trouble, and that, “You have a lot of fun doing it along the way!”