How Much Did Airbnb Contribute to India’s GDP Last Year?

New Delhi, Sep 9 (NationPress) The hospitality giant Airbnb made a remarkable contribution of Rs 113 billion to India's economy in 2024, supporting 111,000 jobs and generating Rs 24 billion in wage income, as reported by a new study.

Research conducted by Oxford Economics and commissioned by Airbnb highlights the platform's substantial economic impact in India.

Tourism facilitated by Airbnb has bolstered roughly 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.

Last year, about 91 percent of Airbnb guests in India were domestic travelers, a significant increase from roughly 79 percent in 2019.

The report attributes this growth to a surge in domestic travel, driven by rising demand from younger Indian travelers, establishing India as one of Airbnb's fastest expanding markets.

Among international visitors, the leading sources were the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

In 2024, spending by Airbnb guests in India reached Rs 112 billion, which includes both accommodation and non-accommodation expenditures.

The report also noted that Airbnb's presence represented 0.5 percent of India's travel and tourism GDP in 2024, accounting for 0.2 percent of tourism-related employment, equating to one in every 417 jobs in the sector.

Beyond direct tourism activities, Airbnb's influence added significant value to the broader economy: contributing Rs 31 billion in transport and storage, Rs 15 billion in agriculture, Rs 13 billion in real estate, and Rs 12 billion in manufacturing.

“The tourism sector in India is propelled by strong domestic demand. From vibrant metropolitan areas to serene small towns, Indian travelers are discovering the wealth and variety of their country,” stated James Lambert, Director of Economic Consulting Asia for Oxford Economics.

“Simultaneously, this thriving domestic tourism market highlights an untapped opportunity for growth in the international tourism sector. To seize this potential, strategic collaborations with international platforms are essential to enhance inbound tourism and elevate India’s global appeal,” he added.

Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Head – Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, remarked that this report illustrates how domestic travel remains the primary driver of tourism in India, fostering micro-entrepreneurship, boosting allied sectors, and supporting small businesses across both emerging and lesser-known destinations.