Airbnb Delivered Rs 113 Billion to India’s Economy in 2024, Oxford Economics Report Finds

Airbnb contributed an estimated Rs 113 billion to India’s economy in 2024, according to research by Oxford Economics. The study, commissioned by the company, found that the platform’s activity supported about 111,000 jobs and generated around Rs 24 billion in wages.

Domestic travel accounted for the majority of demand, with Indian guests making up roughly 91 per cent of bookings last year, compared with 79 per cent in 2019. International visitors mainly came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

Airbnb guest spending in India reached Rs 112 billion in 2024, including accommodation and other expenses. Travellers stayed on average two nights and spent about Rs 11,000 a day on food, shopping, transport and other services. The largest share of in-destination spending went to restaurants (38 per cent), followed by transport (24 per cent), shopping (21 per cent), arts and entertainment (nine per cent), and groceries (eight per cent).

The report estimated that Airbnb’s footprint represented 0.5 per cent of India’s travel and tourism GDP in 2024, and 0.2 per cent of tourism-related jobs. Beyond tourism, the economic activity was linked to contributions worth Rs 31 billion in transport and storage, Rs 15 billion in agriculture,Rs 13 billion in real estate and Rs 12 billion in manufacturing.

Employment supported by Airbnb activity included about 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. Wages associated with these roles totalled around Rs 8.1 billion in transport and storage, Rs 2.9 billion in manufacturing and Rs 2.6 billion in real estate.

The study also highlighted a shift in travel patterns. While non-urban destinations accounted for 16 per cent of gross booking value in 2024, the figure has tripled since 2019, pointing to rising demand for rural and lesser-known locations.

“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 travellers 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.

“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.”