Summary
- Gender Pay Gap Stats: Examines the ongoing gender pay gap and women’s underrepresentation in executive roles.
- Women Hosts on Airbnb: Highlights the success of female hosts on Airbnb and their financial contributions.
- Expert Advice for Aspiring Hosts: Provides valuable insights from successful female Airbnb hosts.
The global gender pay gap has women making 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, according to the United Nations. The organization adds that we likely won’t reach gender pay parity until 2069. Women represent just 24% of C-suite jobs in the U.S. and Canada. There are fewer women in CEO positions at Fortune 500 companies than there are men named James. Moreover, due to the global pandemic, approximately one in five women say they were pushed out of the workforce. There is, however, one area where women excel: Airbnb.
According to the home rental giant, new female hosts earned more than $1.1 billion from the platform in 2021, with approximately $550 million in the U.S. alone. In total, female hosts earned over $12 billion in 2021. Additionally, female hosts received a higher share of five-star reviews (91%) than their male counterparts (89%) last year.
Women’s success isn’t just about numbers; their presence reshapes the industry dynamics. People like Catherine Powell, the global head of hosting at Airbnb, are dedicated to ensuring female voices resonate throughout the company.
“Some 56% of our global community identifies as women, which is just amazing,” Powell shares. “In some countries, a significant majority are women. For instance, 59% of our hosts in the U.S. are women. In Japan, it’s 59%. In South Africa, it’s 65%. Additionally, 59% of our Superhosts, who are the best hosts, are women.”
It is important to note that this elite group of hosts comes from diverse backgrounds and have various motivations for hosting. One prevalent theme Powell observes is that female hosts often engage with the platform during significant life transitions.
“As a mother, your child goes off to college and you have a spare room. Alternatively, you may lose your job and need another income, or you require a supplementary income. You might seek economic opportunity, or possibly companionship,” she explains.
Powell recognizes the unique ability of Airbnb to adapt during impactful moments. In January 2020, she moved to Airbnb from Disney Parks to oversee the company’s Experiences channel. However, only two months in, Powell decided to suspend the program due to COVID-19’s escalating threat. Shortly thereafter, she was appointed as the company’s global head of hosting, where she frequently communicated with hosts who expressed a desire to continue engaging with their guests despite the circumstances.
“They would say they wanted to maintain their connections. Brian [Chesky] would emphasize, ‘But we’re about human connection. That is the heart of the brand,'” she says.
Ultimately, Chesky supported Powell’s vision, allowing her to translate in-person Experiences into virtual formats.
“These were interactive and small group sessions, which felt unique compared to YouTube or Instagram. It was essential that they felt special,” Powell explains. “People responded positively, as they faced challenges connecting offline. They were unable to travel or celebrate important life events. It was heartwarming to see the connections hosts were able to foster through online interactions.”
Powell adds that women or anyone interested in benefiting from these opportunities merely need to be ready to open their hearts and homes.
“It’s about seizing this opportunity to meet incredible people,” she emphasizes. “Moreover, it provides flexibility and an economic revenue stream, enabling you to travel as well.”
For those considering hosting, here are insightful tips from successful female hosts on how to excel in this role.
Create a moment for guests.
“I would tell a new host to create the space and experience you would want if you were traveling or looking for a getaway. Include the little touches you would appreciate, such as exceptional coffee or an easy recycling system. Greeting your guests in person is a valuable way to connect and establish mutual respect, allowing you to understand their needs, and they are more likely to respect your space.” — Jackie, Airbnb Host in Canada
Be the kind of host you’d want to have.
“Hosts should give their best to receive the best. Furthermore, it’s essential to welcome others as you would like to be welcomed.” — Dulce, Airbnb Host in Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Pour as much love as possible into your home experience.
“You must love being a host and host with plenty of enthusiasm. Don’t focus solely on the financial rewards, but treat your guests as friends. Additionally, your home should reflect your personality; it shouldn’t resemble a generic decor magazine. That’s my advice: Host with love. If you enjoy serving and connecting with people, you’re likely to thrive in this role.” — Danyra, Airbnb Host in Cuidad de México, Mexico
Be clear about the expectations for guests.
“My advice for new hosts is to establish clear expectations upfront. For guests, provide an honest and accurate listing, along with high-quality photography. For yourself, clarify your motives for hosting and what you hope to gain from the experience. It requires more effort and patience than most anticipate, so approaching it with a realistic and optimistic outlook is vital. Furthermore, always give guests the benefit of the doubt. After hosting 1,000 guests, I can affirm that good guests far outweigh any occasional challenging ones. A little extra hospitality and kindness can make a significant difference.” — Melissa, Airbnb Host in Portland, Oregon
