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MANILA – Airbnb has contributed $840 million to the Philippine economy and supported nearly 103,800 jobs in the country’s tourism sector by 2022.
That’s based on a new report from Oxford Economics commissioned by Airbnb, the company said.
The report also found that one in 77 jobs in the tourism sector in the Philippines will be related to Airbnb by 2022.
Airbnb reported that its guests spent a total of $876 million on restaurants, retail stores and transportation in the Philippines in 2022.
Domestic Airbnb guests also spent a total of $445 million in 2022.
The report also found significant changes in travel behavior after the pandemic: dispersal of tourism from urban areas and longer stays with the emergence of flexible work arrangements.
Airbnb has played a key role in these developments, says James Lambert, director of economic advice in Asia for Oxford Economics.
“RBNP is at the center of some of the trends reshaping the country’s travel and tourism industry, including a shift in travel from cities to more rural communities, and an increase in demand for direct and long-haul travel. Work is an ubiquitous phenomenon, Lambert said.
Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s general manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said Airbnb has helped local businesses such as shops, restaurants, bars and cafes grow.
“The growth of the long-stay segment from 2020 – driven by flexible work policies and supported by Airbnb’s Live and Work Anywhere program – is helping destinations attract guests who stay longer and spend more per trip.
The report presents results for the twelve-month period to March 2023, Airbnb said.