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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