A new study by Oxford Economics, commissioned by Airbnb, highlights the platform’s expanding contribution to India’s tourism and hospitality industry. The research found that Airbnb generated ₹113 billion for the Indian economy in 2024, supported 111,000 jobs, and created ₹24 billion in wage income.
The report emphasizes the strong domestic demand powering Airbnb’s growth. In 2024, Indian travelers made up about 91% of Airbnb’s guest base in the country, a sharp rise from 79% in 2019. This trend points to the rapid growth of domestic tourism, with younger travelers increasingly favoring Airbnb stays.
On the international front, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia emerged as the top source markets for guests visiting India via Airbnb.
“Travel today is transformative, and we’re delighted to see Airbnb contributing meaningfully to India’s economy through our vibrant network of hosts and guests,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Head – Airbnb India and Southeast Asia. “This report shows how domestic travel continues to be the primary engine of tourism in India, fueling micro-entrepreneurship, boosting allied sectors, and supporting small businesses across both emerging and lesser-known destinations. This momentum signals a broader shift toward more inclusive, locally driven tourism, and we are committed to supporting long-term, sustainable growth in partnership with governments and communities.”
In 2024, Airbnb guests in India spent a total of ₹112 billion, covering both accommodation and non-accommodation expenses. The average stay lasted two nights, with non-accommodation spending averaging ₹11,000 per guest per day. Spending patterns showed that for every ₹10,000 spent at a destination, ₹3,800 went to restaurants, ₹2,400 to transport, ₹2,100 to shopping, ₹900 to arts and entertainment, and ₹800 to groceries.
Host earnings emerged as another economic driver, helping cover property upkeep, domestic services, and personal expenses, which in turn supported local trades and small businesses.
The report estimated that the platform contributed 0.5% of India’s travel and tourism GDP in 2024 and created 0.2% of sector employment, equal to one in every 417 tourism-related jobs. Moreover, beyond the tourism sector, the platform’s impact also extended across the wider economy. Specifically, it generated ₹31 billion in transport and storage, ₹15 billion in agriculture, ₹13 billion in real estate, and ₹12 billion in manufacturing.
Employment supported by Airbnb spanned multiple industries: 38,000 jobs in transport and storage, 19,600 in food and beverage services, 16,800 in wholesale and retail trade, and 10,700 in manufacturing. These roles translated into direct wages, including ₹8.1 billion in transport and storage, ₹2.9 billion in manufacturing, and ₹2.6 billion in real estate.
The study also highlighted a shift in travel preferences, with non-urban destinations accounting for 16% of Airbnb’s gross booking value (GBV) in 2024. While still a smaller share, this marks a threefold increase compared to 2019, underscoring growing traveler interest in rural and lesser-known destinations outside India’s major cities.
Overall, the findings reflect Airbnb’s significant economic footprint in India, showing how the platform is reshaping tourism flows by boosting both urban and non-urban demand. With domestic travel on the rise, Airbnb will remain a key contributor to the country’s hospitality and tourism economy.
“Airbnb is playing an important role in India’s tourism market by broadening access to travel and dispersing its benefits more widely across the country. By connecting travelers with unique stays in lesser-known destinations, the platform is helping drive tourism demand across local communities in India. This leads to an expansion in economic opportunities, supporting livelihoods and sustaining small enterprises far beyond the major cities,” said James Lambert, Director of Economic Consulting Asia for Oxford Economics.
