About
Airbnb with Mikel Freemon
Regional Manager , Caribbean in the Caribbean
How is Airbnb performing in the Caribbean market ? Airbnb in the Caribbean is showing strong growth . The region has more than doubled in size since last year , and we couldn ’ t be happier .
How is the Caribbean market different from other markets ? For me , the most meaningful difference is that home sharing can facilitate a more authentic travel experience in the Caribbean . Travelers get to know the residents , who then introduce them to local fish shacks and fruit stands , the history and wildlife of the island - experiences that are less commonly perceived to be part of a Caribbean vacation . On a recent trip to the Bahamas , I stayed with a Superhost who invited me over for homemade Chicken Souse , a Bahamian dish . She showed me her garden and explained her plans to harvest local sea salt . Another host shared stories of how her family was among the island ’ s first British settlers when America declared independence . Home sharing can help redefine how people think about Caribbean travel . It ’ s not all beaches and cocktail umbrellas - though those are great too .
Where do you see the Caribbean market going in the next few years ? I think we ’ re going to see home sharing continue to expand the tourism pie in the Caribbean and around the world . We see markets where roughly 30 % of guests wouldn ’ t have traveled there if it weren ’ t for Airbnb . In addition , these travelers are dining at local restaurants , booking massages at hotel spas , shopping at local markets , taking scuba lessons , which contributes to local hotel economies and also brings revenue streams beyond traditional touristic zones . All of this , while also supporting additional airlift to the destination . As Airbnb in the Caribbean continues to grow , all tourism players stand to benefit .
What are your main country markets in the region ? I read that Cuba was the fastest growing . Any other ones ? What are the rising ones ? Yes , Cuba is the fastest growing market in the company ’ s history . Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic have always been popular and the French Caribbean is also quite strong . Bookings have more than tripled for Guadeloupe and St Barts since last year , which we are thrilled about .
Which accommodations are the most popular ? Our goal is to offer the ultimate selection of homes and provide the highest quality experiences . This includes all styles of travel , group sizes , and price points : onebedroom apartments in San Juan , five-bedroom villas in St Martin , treehouses in Guadeloupe , private islands in Belize , and luxury villa complexes like where the Jenners recently stayed in Turks and Caicos . Wish list with a few homes I love , here .
How many rooms does Airbnb now offer in the region ? How many in the French Caribbean ( Guadeloupe , Martinique , Saint- Martin , Saint-Barthélémy ) We now offer more than 40,000 listings in the Caribbean and nearly one-quarter of them are located in the French Caribbean . We ’ re seeing strong growth from Guadeloupe , which we recently featured as part of our “ Live There ” campaign . ( Insert Links )
How many rooms have been rented in 2016 in the Caribbean on Airbnb ? Caribbean bookings have more than doubled since this time last year .
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