Airbnb reports surge in Gen Z hosts and earnings in India

A recent Airbnb report indicates a significant rise in Gen Z participation within India's hospitality sector. During the first half of 2026, nearly two in five new Airbnb hosts in the country were aged between 18 and 29.

The number of Gen Z hosts expanded by approximately 40% year-on-year, while earnings from this demographic surged by more than 60% during the same period. Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head of Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, stated that young Indians are increasingly acting as both travelers and entrepreneurs by sharing local knowledge through hosting.

Growth was observed in major urban centers including Bangalore, Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, and Noida. Notably, Indore saw the steepest urban surge with an increase of over 120% year-on-year. Other emerging host locations include Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Mathura, and Dehradun.