Airbnbs are pumping more than $1.1 billion into Western Australia’s economy and creating 7,200 jobs, according to a fresh report dropped as government intervention hangs over the sector’s head.
Airbnbs are pumping more than $1.1 billion into Western Australia’s economy and creating 7,200 jobs, according to a fresh report dropped as government intervention hangs over the sector’s head.
The Oxford Economics report into Airbnb’s economic impact in the Asia-Pacific region found the short stay provider’s GDP contribution in WA grew more than $400 million to $1.12 billion from 2021 to 2022, while guest spending had increased $200 million to $1.17 billion.
Airbnbs directly employed 3,500 people in WA and indirectly contributed to a further 3,800 jobs in 2022, up about 1,000 on both measures from the previous year.
Airbnb Australia and New Zealand country manager Susan Wheeldon said the data proved short stays were an effective way to grow the tourism sector.
“The contribution to both GDP and jobs driven by travel on Airbnb in Australia has created powerful economic ripple effects that support businesses such as retailers, restaurants, bars and cafes — which are often the foundation for life in local communities — and has generated jobs that went far beyond where travellers stayed and with whom,” she said.
“Travel is now more dispersed, and so the economic benefits are being shared across more destinations, enabling a valuable economic contribution to rural and regional areas.
This dispersal is being driven by hosts on Airbnb and in turn creating economic opportunities for small communities where there are no hotels.
“As destinations across Australia continue to recover, we are committed to partnering with governments and communities to rebuild their tourism economies in a way that is equitable, inclusive and sustainable.”
The report, which captured data over one year to March 2023, found about 43 per cent of money spent on Airbnbs was done so in regional WA.
Only Tasmania had a higher portion of money spent outside urban areas.
Of 7,200 jobs created in WA, 1,600 were based in the South West and 3,300 in Perth.
Some $623 million was spent by guests in Perth and $206 million by those visiting the South West.
The report, marking the first set of yearly data since COVID travel restrictions were removed, found more visitors were seeking regional hosts and longer stays since pre-pandemic.
It comes as the WA government prepares to reveal new short stay regulations this year which will likely put local governments in the driver’s seat to manage the proliferation of holiday rentals.
The proposed reforms would see a cap placed on nights Airbnbs could operate, exemptions required for long leases and a register created to list all short stay properties.
Several local governments have already implemented their own policies to increase rates, implement codes of conduct and limit dwelling types and locations.
