Airbnb Data Highlights From Penn State’s Year-Long Host Study
Photo Credit: Understanding the true nature of activity on Airbnb has always been an experiment in patience. Frame
Skift Take
We can't wait until Airbnb goes public so we can finally get some transparency and stop hearing about hosts trying to make ends meet. It's so much more sophisticated than that.
Earlier today the American Hotel & Lodging Association released a report about Airbnb host activity that the organization commissioned from faculty at Penn State University's School of Hospitality and Management.
The AH&LA is one of the largest organizations in the U.S. representing hotels, management companies, and other parts of the hospitality industry. The AH&LA could not be considered an impartial party in the growing debate between hotels and short-term rentals.
The Penn State research, which it conducted using data from Airdna and the assistance of Kalibri Labs, focused not on the hosts "trying to make ends meet," as Airbnb argues are the norm on the site, but the hosts who rent out more than one unit or rent out their units full-time. Data used in the report was collected between September 2014 and September 2015 in the twelve largest U.S. markets [see chart below].
"This is national comprehensive study of Airbnb," Katherine Lugar, CEO, AH&LA said during t
