A growing community of senior Airbnb hosts - aged 60 or older - in South Africa is using their homes to generate supplemental income. Airbnb data show senior hosts are increasingly joining the Airbnb community and opening their home to travellers from around the world.
Seniors account for more than 4,000 listings across South Africa, up from 1,400 at this time last year. Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodation around the world – online or from a mobile phone. Seniors, especially those who have retired, are joining to earn income while doing something they love – meeting strangers from around the world and sharing the best of South African hospitality with them.
Listings from seniors grew 182% year-on-year to September 2016, outpacing every other age group by at least 10%. By contrast, the 50 to 59-year-old demographic grew 173%, the 40 to 49-year-old group by 169% and the 30 to 39-year-old demographic by 157%.
Not surprisingly, many of South Africa’s senior Airbnb hosts reside in popular coastal retirement destinations. There are 135 senior hosts in Hermanus, or 29% of the listings in the Western Cape seaside town. Other towns with a high proportion of senior hosts are:
• Port Alfred – 28%
• Grabouw, Knysna and Swellendam – 26%
• Mossel Bay– 25%
And the experience the more seasoned hosts provide to their guests is stellar: South African hosts in their 40s and 50s get the highest percentage of five-star reviews from guests. Seniors come in third.
