Airbnb report finds platform generated more than €500 million for Irish economy last year

Airbnb contributed more than €500 million to the Irish economy last year, according to a new report commissioned by the home-sharing platform.

Airbnb published the report on Wednesday which it commissioned from independent economics advisory firm, Oxford Economics, outlining its economic impact in Ireland in 2022.

The report found Airbnb stays accounted for 6 per cent of all nights in paid accommodation across the country in 2022, or 4.4 million guest nights in total.

The typical Airbnb host in Ireland earned over €5,600 last year, with Airbnb-linked spending representing 10.5 per cent of all international tourism-related spending in 2022.

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The Airbnb report values the company’s total contribution to Ireland’s GDP last year at €501 million, with Airbnb-linked tourism spending reaching €537 million in 2022.

Airbnb-related economic activity in Dublin was valued at €152 million, followed by activity in the southwest counties of Kerry and Cork which was valued at €107 million.

International visitors accounted for around three-quarters of all Airbnb-linked spend in the country (€401 million), while over €135 million was spent by Airbnb guests from Ireland.

The report noted that there were as many nights stayed in the southwest as in Dublin last year (at 22 per cent each), closely followed by the west which attracted 18 per cent of all Airbnb stays last year.

Meanwhile, there was less Airbnb activity in midland areas, with the midland, mideast and midwest regions accounting for 2 per cent, 7 per cent, and 9 per cent of Airbnb stays respectively.

In terms of employment, the report found that 5 per cent of all tourism employment in 2022 was linked to Airbnb activity – or around 4,900 jobs.

Broken down by region, the report said that more than 1,200 jobs in the west of Ireland were supported by the platform, followed by more than 870 in the southwest, more than 860 jobs in Dublin, and more than 850 in the Border region.

The report highlights that 84 per cent of bookings on Airbnb in Ireland last year were for entire properties, while 16 per cent were private room bookings.

In Dublin, 70 per cent of bookings were for entire properties, while 30 per cent of guest nights stayed in the capital last year were in private rooms.

The Airbnb report highlighted that private room rentals contributed €80 million to the Irish economy last year, or 17 per cent of Airbnb’s total economic contribution.

Derek Nolan, head of public policy at Airbnb Ireland, said the platform provides “authentic and affordable” accommodation for guests, and “drives economic benefits for local Irish families and their communities”.

“We want to play our part as a key pillar of the Irish tourism economy, and support the introduction of a Host register to protect Ireland’s tourism, unlock the benefits of hosting for Irish families, and help local authorities to clamp down on property speculators,” he said.