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Nigeria is Airbnb's fastest growing market in Africa, as citizens are now giving their homes up for strangers
Nigerians are now breaking the cultural barriers of being sceptical about having a total stranger in their house/apartment.
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Increase in millennial visitors to Nigeria was noted as the main factor driving this trend. Thus, making Nigeria the fifth largest market of Airbnb in Africa.
According to a report by the Californian based company, Airbnb, the annual guest numbers on the platform has doubled. It increased from 572,000 to 1.2 million with 100,000 active room listings for rent.
In Africa, the company saw a surge in usage and acceptance by room leasers and visitors across major metropolitan cities on the continent.
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South Africa has the largest market for the company in Africa, followed by Morocco and Kenya. In Kenya, there are 40,000 visitors using the platform with 5900 listings and revenue of about $3.9 million over the past year.
South Africa has about 43,400 active listings which has generated income of $86 million for the company. For the Maghreb nation, Morocco, there are about 21,000 active listings which has earned the company $22 million.
Nigeria has just 730 active listings on the paltofrm.
"If you look at Cape Town, there is a crunch during the holiday season with no hotel availability," says Gillian Saunders, head of travel, tourism and leisure at consultancy Grant Thornton South Africa. "Constraints on the hotel side are a big reason for Airbnb's success there."
"These travellers are seeking authentic, local experiences across the continent," said Airbnb spokesman Bernard D'heygere.
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The business of leasing room to strangers was stated as unfashionable in Africa due to custom and traditional related issues. However, the inflows of visitors to many tourist points in Southern and Eastern Africa created hostel booking supply gap which was filled by the services of Airbnb in the regions.
Tanzania also experienced a similar spur in use of the room rental services to increase in visitors to the Mount Kilimanjaro.
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