US: Has Airbnb been successful in attracting and retaining customers?

The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the hospitality industry not just in the US but around the world. But how has Airbnb fared in the US since 2019?

YouGov data reports that Airbnb saw its customer base increase by three percentage points in the US in the last four years. So, who are these new consumers?

Comparing Airbnb customers from 2019 and 2022

Nearly one in ten Americans (9%) say they have stayed at an Airbnb in the last year, making the company one of the largest vacation rental companies in the country. Airbnb has managed to successfully draw in younger consumers. In 2022, Gen Z consumers (12%) are four times more likely to choose to stay at Airbnb than they were in 2019 (3%). The proportion of young families with children below six years old is considerably higher in 2022 (12%) than in 2019 (1%). Active empty nesters and senior citizens are also slightly more likely to pick Airbnb in 2022.

What influences Airbnb consumers to make travel decisions?

Value for money was the most popular criteria for Airbnb consumers when picking a vacation destination in 2019 (36%), and it continues to be so in 2022 (40%). While natural beauty is the next most important factor in 2022 (39%), Airbnb consumers are as likely to pick a vacation destination near family and friends in 2022 as they were in 2019 (36% both).

Temperature/ climate gained importance in 2022 among Airbnb guests, with over a third picking it as a top five reason to consider when deciding their latest vacation destination (32%), up by five percentage points in 2019 (27%). On the other hand, proximity to culture and historical sites sees a dip (32% in 2019 vs. 29% in 2022).

Download the full YouGov Profile Peek on Airbnb in the US here to know more about:

• In what location do Airbnb consumers generally work.
• How much did Airbnb guests spend on their last leisure trip.
• The channels Airbnb consumers are increasingly or decreasingly consuming advertisements on.

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Methodology: This data is from YouGov Profiles. Profiles data for the US is nationally representative and weighted by age, gender, education, region, and race. The datasets are from January 15, 2023, and January 13, 2019 (both cover data a year back from the mentioned date). Learn more about Profiles.

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