Symbiotic bond between Airbnb and Goa boosts tourism

Homestays have become synonymous with Airbnb – an online platform offering home accommodation to travellers around the world – despite the slight variation in their business models. If there is one State that has completely mastered the Airbnb game, it's Goa.

The two – Airbnb and Goa – have developed a symbiotic bond between themselves, and this has helped the State’s tourism.

And so, it was a natural progression when Airbnb and Goa’s tourism department came together last week to launch Goa Unseen – a digital guidebook on how to explore the coastal State beyond the beaches.

The tropical State has forests and hills spread over the 600-sq km Western Ghats on its east, 105-sq km coastline to its west, and a throbbing cultural centre in its towns and in the middle.

India’s tiniest States packs in more than any other Indian State does, and continues to, offer a distinct experience to every traveller. For decades, it was a home to hippies who kicked off Goa’s tourism dreams, which persists unabated even today.

India’s tiniest States packs in more than any other Indian State does, and continues to, offer a distinct experience to every traveller.

In his e-mail responses to queries from Gomantak Times Digital, Country Head of Airbnb India & Southeast Asia, Amanpreet Bajaj, disclosed that Goa was of utmost importance to in India because it was “the most booked destination in India by overseas guests in 2024.”

Another aspect, he threw light on, was that visitors to the State were looking for newer experiences that “has translated into greater tourism dispersal.”

Tourism dispersal is a concept that involves urging travellers to go beyond main attractions of a tourist destination in a bid to widen their zone of interest and promote a more sustainable and equitable distribution of tourism gains and its impacts. Excerpts from a chat with Airbnb’s Amanpreet Bajaj.

How is the Goa market shaping? Which segment of travellers are patronising the State?

Goa continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations among travellers on Airbnb, and we’re seeing strong year-on-year growth in bookings. In fact, bookings for Goa in 2024 have increased by over 20 per cent compared to 2023, underscoring its enduring appeal.

We’re also seeing Gen Z (aged between 13 and 28) travellers lead the way, opting for longer stays and unique accommodations. Group travel — particularly bookings with three or more guests — has been the most popular travel type, closely followed by duo travel, highlighting Goa’s continued appeal for friend groups and couples, alike.

Domestically, cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Indore, Kochi, Bhopal and Vadodara are driving the majority of bookings.

Goa was also the most booked in India by overseas guests in 2024, reflecting a strong interest on the international front.

Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Head of Airbnb India & Southeast AsiaGoa was also the most booked destination in India by overseas guests in 2024, reflecting a strong interest on the international front.

What is the trend in the rentals of Airbnb properties?

Airbnb has observed a significant tourism dispersal and a rise in demand for short-term rentals in Goa. Particularly (in) South Goa, which witnessed an approximately 25 per cent surge in bookings, reflective of a growing trend of travellers seeking offbeat and serene getaways beyond the typical tourist trails.

As travellers continue to seek accommodations and that offer an immersive local gateway to a destination, Airbnb is meeting this demand preference through authentic initiatives. The 'Rediscover Goa' campaign and the Goa Unseen digital guidebook — created in partnership with the Goa Tourism Department — aims to spotlight unique homes and experiences across the State.

These recommendations are inspired by Goa’s deep-rooted culture and heritage, promoting an insider’s perspective to community-led experiential travel and a responsible way for travellers to explore the State.

DESTINATION GOA: (L-R) Actor Abhay Deol, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, and Country Head of Airbnb India & Southeast Asia, Amanpreet Bajaj at the launch of the ‘Goa Unseen’ guidebook earlier this week.

What is driving Goa’s market? How price sensitive is it?

At Airbnb, we’re seeing a growing preference for culturally immersive experiences, with travellers increasingly exploring local food, arts and heritage. The rise in disposable income among Indian travellers and the rise of remote work has further fuelled demand in Goa making it a preferred destination for travellers across demographics.

Goa caters to all kinds of travellers, from budget to . This diverse range of offerings ensures that the market can accommodate varying price sensitivities. While some travellers seek value for money, others are willing to pay a premium for unique and high-quality experiences.

Goa caters to all kinds of travellers, from budget to luxury. This diverse range of offerings ensures that the market can accommodate varying price sensitivities.

Do you see competition in the online travel market or among online travel agents getting intense?

India continues to be one of Airbnb’s fastest-growing markets, with domestic bookings increasing by 35 per cent year-over-year in Q4 (fourth quarter of) 2024.

Growth is being driven largely by Gen Z and Millennials, who are leading the demand for unique and flexible stays. In fact, bookings by Indian Gen Z travellers grew by over 60 per cent compared to last year, and nearly 90 per cent of first-time Indian bookers in 2024 were from these younger demographics.

Airbnb is also uniquely positioned to connect like-minded guests with hosts that offer local accommodations across categories. Many homeowners, including first-time hosts, have been able to earn supplemental income, allowing them to reinvest in their communities.

This growth in the benefits everyone involved, from hosts to guests, and contributes to the overall development of the travel industry in India.

As the ecosystem grows, it creates opportunities for all players in the market and we remain committed to fuelling and leading the next era of hosting and travel in India on Airbnb.

What has been the trend in the occupancy rate of the properties on the Airbnb platform?

For inbound travel to India, Goa was the most booked destination by international guests (in 2024). Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi and Pune also ranked highly for international guests. We're seeing a strong and growing demand for accommodations as travellers increasingly seek personalised and meaningful hospitality.

In Goa, this has translated into greater tourism dispersal, with South Goa witnessing over a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in bookings — highlighting a shift toward exploring lesser-known areas.

Group and duo travel continue to be the most popular booking types in the region, while the rise of remote work has led to a notable increase in workcations and longer stays, as professionals look to combine travel with flexibility.

Do you plan to use AI tools to improve profitability or to become more competitive?

Technology continues to play a pivotal role in optimising the Airbnb user and host experience. We're already implementing AI solutions across multiple sectors to enhance our operations. Our AI-powered features help streamline processes, optimise resource allocation, and improve client outcomes.

For example, we've launched an AI-driven pricing tool that helps hosts determine optimal rental prices by analysing nearby listings - this has already been used by over two million hosts. Additionally, we've developed smart recommendations that filter search results based on past bookings and current searches, making the experience more intuitive for users.

With 350-plus updates in our recent Winter Release, we're continually investing in technology that creates both operational efficiencies and enhanced user experiences, ensuring we stay competitive in the market while improving profitability.

How many hosts does Airbnb have across India? How many of them are in Goa?

The growth of homestays on Airbnb has opened new economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs, artisans, and small business owners. Almost 30 per cent of Airbnb Hosts in India are women (self-identified), who collectively earned over Rs 2.6 billion in 2024, shaping the future of hospitality with inclusivity and economic opportunities.

To further nurture our host community in Goa, we launched India's first Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy in December 2024 in partnership with Goa's Department of . This initiative successfully trained 50 participants, including existing homestay owners and aspiring hospitality entrepreneurs, equipping them with essential skills in digital marketing, hospitality standards, and technology use to thrive in the tourism economy.