Airbnb evolves workshop plan

Airbnb is set to organise the second phase of its digital tourism workshops for local people and authorities across Thailand in a bid to expand its home-sharing platform.

Airbnb has recently collaborated with the Local Administration Department to arrange workshop training for local officials on hospitality, hosting and homestay standards, said Mich Goh, head of public policy in Southeast Asia.

Earlier this month, 100 Thai officials attended the workshop, including representatives from provincial offices and select local administrative organisations from 11 provinces: Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Songkhla, Satun, Ubon Ratchathani and Sukhothai.

For the next phase, Airbnb wants to organise training programmes for local officials in every province to raise hospitality standards and help locals offer homestays on its platform.

“We look forward to working with the departments and the Interior Ministry to identify opportunities to expand our partnerships and drive demand for listings via government and provincial organisations,” said Ms Goh.

“Airbnb will also continue to create visibility and raise awareness around our listings, through targeted marketing and sharing stories of our local hosts and homestays.”

She said many traditional homestays in Thailand want to be part of the growing tourism industry by joining the Airbnb platform.

In 2017, Airbnb hosts in Thailand welcomed 1.2 million guests, representing 66% year-on-year growth in guest arrivals.

There are over 61,400 listings in Thailand on Airbnb. Thai hosts earned US$2.1 billion (70 billion baht) for renting out their accommodation an average of 29 nights last year.

During big events such as Songkran this year, Thai hosts earned more than $5 million or 165 million baht, a 20% increase compared with normal periods.