Airbnb today releases the results from its latest survey of Hosts and guests

Airbnb today releases the results from its latest survey of Hosts and guests. The findings among Hosts and guests who used the platform last year in the Philippines provide insights into how the Hosts are using their income from Airbnb in a time of broader economic challenges such as soaring inflation and how guests are using the platform amidst a travel revolution.

 

Mitigating higher prices with hosting

As external forces pushed inflation higher around the world last year, including in the Philippines, income earned through hosting helped Hosts surveyed¹ in the country navigate higher prices. In response to why they host their space on Airbnb:

●      Almost half of the Hosts surveyed said one of the reasons they host is to earn money to help cover the rising cost of living.

●      Nearly 2 out of 5 hosts surveyed said they host to earn money to make ends meet.

●      Over 50 percent said they host to earn extra spending money.

●      Approximately 60 percent said they host to earn money to grow their business.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Food Price Index steadily increased globally last year, up to an all-time high in March 2022². Against the backdrop of higher prices for everyday goods, nearly 60 percent of Hosts surveyed in the Philippines said they use the income earned through hosting to buy food and other necessities that have become more expensive. 

Hosts surveyed in the Philippines are also using the income earned on Airbnb to help pay for housing and home improvement needs. More than a third surveyed said that the income they earned through hosting has helped them stay at home in 2021. Of that group, over 50% percent said that hosting helped them avoid foreclosure or eviction. Beyond paying their rent and mortgages, almost half of the Hosts surveyed indicated that they use the money earned through hosting to improve their homes.

 

Hosts surveyed also indicated that they expect that income earned through hosting will become more important, with almost half saying they expect to become more reliant on Host income in the next 12 months.

 

Hosts are key contributors to their local communities. In addition to booking revenues from guests and guests’ local spending, Hosts surveyed in the Philippines are also contributing to the country’s tourism income:

●      Almost half of those surveyed say that they hire support staff such as professional cleaners.

●      Hosts surveyed also like to share recommendations with guests about restaurants and cafes (nearly two-thirds), outdoor sites and activities (over 50 percent), lesser-known areas and places to visit (over one-third), and shops and boutiques (over 40 percent), amongst others. 

●      In fact, three-fourths of Hosts surveyed recommended places to visit in and around their Airbnb neighborhood to guests.

 

Guests travel and work remotely, discover new places, and stay longer

The pandemic has changed the way people travel globally, with millions of people now more flexible about where they live and work. In a trend that began last year and has continued into Q1 2022, guests are staying longer — essentially living on Airbnb. Globally, long-term stays were at an all-time high in Q1 2022, more than doubling in size from Q1 2019, and continue to represent around one in every five nights booked. In the Philippines, more than a third of the guests surveyed³ said they stayed at an Airbnb listing to travel and work remotely.

 

To ensure that Airbnb is supporting the continuing travel revolution and optimizing for the new flexibility of guests, Airbnb introduced the biggest change to its platform in a decade earlier in May, which includes the Airbnb Categories, a redesigned user interface that makes it easy for guests to discover millions of homes they never knew existed – helping to spread tourism outside of typical destinations and Split Stays, an innovative feature that splits guests’ trips between two places to stay when they’re searching for a week or longer. 

 

Airbnb is empowering guests to embrace new ways of living and traveling, including through its recent upgrades and innovations:

●      Almost 30 percent of guests surveyed in the Philippines indicated that if staying at an Airbnb listing was not an option, they would have probably or definitely changed their length of stay.  

●      Approximately 35 percent surveyed stated either they definitely or probably would not have visited the neighborhood in which they stayed if a listing were not available. 

 

This further illustrates how Airbnb is encouraging guests to discover new destinations. 

●      This is also reflected by the fact that since March 2020,  globally, more than 8,100 cities and towns⁴ received their first-ever Airbnb bookings. Globally, Airbnb guests have already planned stays in over 72,000 cities and towns⁵. 

●      In the Philippines, since March 2020, over 60 cities and towns got their first-ever Airbnb bookings. These included bookings in lesser-known and off-the-beaten-path destinations like:

○      Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan: Tagged as “Bulacan’s Last Frontier”, DRT is home to breathtaking mountains and majestic falls perfect for adventure seekers.

○      Naujan, Oriental Mindoro: A town of pristine beauty and historical sites, Naujan is the largest municipality of Oriental Mindoro. It is known for Lake Naujan, the country’s fifth-largest lake, and the Simbahang Bato, a church built during the 16th century. 

○      Talisayan, Misamis Oriental: Talisayan is one of Misamis Oriental’s diving sites where the Sipaka Point and Sta. Ines Wreck is located.

○      Cateel, Davao: A laid-back town near the tail-end of the Davao region home to the photogenic 84-tiered Aliwagwag falls.

 

Those interested in learning more about how much could be earned through hosting should visit airbnb.com/host. Those interested in exploring the incredible places to stay listed across Airbnb’s 56 categories should visit airbnb.com or download the app.

 

1. Based on a survey of 220 Airbnb listings booked in the Philippines between June 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. All additional Host-centric survey data in this release originates from this survey. 
2. Source: https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/
3. Based on a survey of 250 Airbnb home guests who booked a listing in the Philippines between June 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, and were surveyed between February 17, 2022, and March 31, 2022. All additional guest-centric survey data in this release originates from this survey. 
4. Based on internal Airbnb data between March 2020 and March 2022. Source: https://news.airbnb.com/airbnb-hosts-in-rural-america-earn-over-3-5-billion-in-2021/
5. Cities and towns expected to have guest check-in between June 1 to August 31, 2022, as of April 29, 2022.

Three fathers from Shopee, share how fatherhood has allowed them to become better versions of themselves

Fathers provide, protect, and persevere at home and at work. In celebration of Father’s Day, three fathers from Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, share how fatherhood has allowed them to become better versions of themselves, including at the workplace.

 

Martin: Evolving as a Leader and as a Father 

Shopee Philippines Director Martin Yu has been leading teams to help businesses shift online through Shopee since 2017 and has seen the platform grow. As a father of two young boys, Martin has observed a common aspect between being a father and a leader that he now applies every day: the need to evolve. “When Shopee started in the Philippines, I had to be more of a coach, but as we grew and built up a larger team, I had to adjust my leadership style. I tried to foster a culture where my team is encouraged to speak up and contribute their ideas and initiatives. Now, my role is to ensure these align with our bigger business objectives.” 

 

As a Father, Martin is mindful of how fast his sons are growing up and how he needs to similarly adapt his parenting style to keep up with their changing needs. “I encourage my children to try new things and try to be their buddy. I talk to my sons like we are friends now because they are developing their interests, and I want to encourage them to discover who they want to be in this fast-changing world. Looking ahead, I know I must adapt even more as they become teenagers and young adults.”

 

Martin’s ultimate hope is that his work will inspire his kids to pursue impactful careers. “My sons are still young, but I think it’s never too early to teach them the value of meaningful work that significantly impacts society and empowers them to pursue a career path that offers that opportunity.”

Michael: Building more Meaningful Relationships 

Before coming to work for Shopee Xpress as a partner rider two years ago, Michael worked as an overseas Filipino worker in Taiwan, just like his father. Growing up, he found it difficult to form a solid connection with his father since their relationship mainly consisted of online video calls. When Michael became a father four years ago, he knew he wanted to be a more present figure in his daughter’s life. 

 

As a Shopee Xpress partner rider, not only is Michael able to provide for his family’s needs, but he can also play a more active role in the lives of his two children, aged two and four. “Bago nagsimula ang pandemya, balak ko talaga bumalik sa Taiwan para masuportahan ko ang aking pamilya. Nagpapasalamat ako nang lubos na nakakauwi ako sa aking mga anak araw-araw dahil sa aking trabaho bilang Shopee Xpress rider. Dahil dito, mas nagkakaroon ng meaning ang aking buhay at trabaho.” (Before the pandemic, I planned to return to Taiwan to continue providing for my family. I am grateful that my job as a Shopee Xpress partner rider allows me to come home to my children everyday. Being able to play an active role in their lives has given my life and my job more meaning and purpose.)

 

One of the things Michael is most proud of in life, is being a present father in the lives of his children. “Ang pinakamalaking inspirasyon ko sa buhay ay ang aking mga anak. Ipinagmamalaki ko na natutupad ko ang aking tungkulin bilang tatay sa kanilang buhay.” (My children are my biggest inspiration in life. It is very meaningful for me that I now get to fulfill my role as a father in a better way.)

Mark: Giving His Best as a Father and a Seller 

Since becoming a father, Mark has learned what it truly means to work hard and persevere. He nearly lost his daughter nine years ago to biliary atresia, a rare condition that affected her liver and required her to undergo an expensive procedure abroad. By selling customized pillows on Shopee’s platform, Mark has been able to provide for his family’s needs, including his daughter’s regular medication.

 

As a father and a seller, Mark said, “Nine years ago, I fought to become a father, and I continue to fight for my family every day. When I started my online business, I struggled to get orders, but I persevered and gave my all for them. Selling through Shopee has allowed my family to reach many milestones like building a home and a warehouse. Everything I do, whether as a father or a business owner, is driven by my love for my wife and daughters. Till today, I continue to give my best every day, not just for my family, but also for my customers.”

 

By embracing their roles as fathers, Martin, Michael, and Mark have come to understand better how to serve their customers and their teams in their respective roles as employees of Shopee and partners of Shopee Xpress. Their meaningful careers have enabled them to make a difference in the lives of others – both at home and in the workplace. 

All set for Father’s Day weekend? Check out these great Father’s Day gifts from Maya!

All set for Father’s Day weekend? If you haven’t quite decided on how to celebrate yet, all-in-one money app, Maya, offers great gift ideas which will make the man of your home feel extra special. What makes it even better is that they come with Tipid Hits and Feel-Good Deals exclusively for Maya users. 

Whether it’s a staycation, office gear, or a food favorite, you can be sure that your dad will truly appreciate any of these thoughtful gifts—some of which can also be enjoyed by the rest of the family. 

 

Family vacation 

Dads work hard for the family so a staycation in a nice hotel or resort will give them that much-needed break from the daily grind.  

If you book through Agoda between June 15 to July 14, 2022, you can get PHP 260.00 off for a minimum spend of PHP 3,000.00. Just make sure to pay with your Maya mobile number and use the promo code MAYA260JUN. The stay period is from June 15, 2022 to June 30, 2023, giving you a lot of time to plan the trip. 

A Lake View Family Suite in Splendido-Lily Vacation, Tagaytay averages for around PHP 3,500.00 per night— now less PHP 260.00 with Agoda and Maya!  

Office support seat 

For dads who spend most of their days sitting in front of their computers, BackJoy posture seats would be perfect for them. Its well-designed structure, pressure-relieving foam, and soft fabric promote comfortable sitting, back pain relief, and proper posture throughout the day.  

From March 15 to June 30, 2022, you can get 15% off on any two regular-priced items and 5% off on marked-down items, no discount cap if you simply pay with Maya QR.   

You can purchase a Posture Core Sit which currently retails for PHP 3,647.00, marked down from PHP 4,290.00 - for your dad and yourself!   

Masculine bag 

If you’re looking to splurge on your dad as a special treat on Father’s Day, why not let him work or travel in style? Tumi offers world-class business and travel products such as luggage, backpacks, bags, briefcases, and more.  

From March 15 to June 30, 2022, you can get 15% off on any two regular-priced items and 5% off on marked-down items with no discount cap if you simply pay with Maya QR.   

The Just In Case® backpack (PHP 7,990.00) and the Packable Rain Cover (PHP 5,990.00) can cumulatively go from PHP 13,980.00 all the way down to PHP 11,883.00, allowing a huge 15% worth of savings!   

Pizza party 

When it comes to a fun family bonding sesh, you can’t go wrong with the classic Pizza Hut. From June 1 to July 31, 2022, you can get 30% off on the Regular or Large a la carte Pan Pizzas and Stuffed Crust Pizzas (cheese stuffed and sausage stuffed).  

The promo is available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery via 8911-1111 when you scan to pay with Maya QR. Try out the 12-inch Cheese Pimiento Stuffed Crust Pizza—from PHP 729.00, you can get it for less at only PHP 510.30!  

Self-care products 

Yes, dads need to invest in their self-care too. The Body Shop offers a range of quality products for men from facial cleanser (Guarana and Coffee Energizing Cleanser, PHP 556.00) to shaving cream (Maca Root and Aloe Softening Shaving Cream, PHP 556.00) to perfume (White Musk for Men Eau de Toilette, PHP 1,516.00).  

From June 1 to 30, 2022, you can get your dad a free 60ml Tea Tree toner for every minimum spend of PHP 1,000.00, which you pay with Maya QR code in stores!  

Choose any of these products to warm your dad’s heart and to give you the rewards you deserve only with Maya. For more information, promos, and updates from the country’s all-in-one money app, visit maya.phand follow Maya on Facebook. 

 

Xiaomi is celebrating the 6th anniversary of its retail by offering discounts and freebies

Xiaomi is celebrating the 6th anniversary of its retail presence this June by offering discounts and freebies with every purchase of select smartphones and AIoT products.

Xiaomi fans can visit the brand’s various stores in the country, located in areas such as Robinsons Galleria, Trinoma, SM Cebu, and SM Davao. Check out the full list of authorized stores and kiosks here.

From June 11 to 30, Xiaomi fans can avail of special deals for its latest gadgets. Phones like the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (P15,999) and Redmi Note 10 Pro which starts at P12,999, are both known for their stunning 108MP camera, are up for grabs.

Also in the limelight are AIoT products such as the Mi Robot Vacuum Mop-Pro 2 (P17,999) and Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Lite (P6,999), which are great for keeping one’s home clean; and the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active (P8,999) for fitness lovers.

For every purchase of these devices, one can get a notebook, T-shirt, and/or sports arm bag as freebies. The full list of exciting June deals below:

 

Xiaomi Product	Selling Retail Price (SRP)	Freebies
Redmi Note 10 Pro (6+128 GB)	12,999	Notebook + T Shirt
Redmi Note 10 Pro (8+128 GB)	13,999	Notebook + T Shirt
Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G	15,999	Notebook + T Shirt
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE	20,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook
Robot Vacuum Essential	8,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Mi Robot Vacuum Mop-Pro 2	17,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2	12,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite	8,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop	11,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Mi Air Purifier Pro H	12,499	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Mi Air Purifier Pro	12,499	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Pro	11,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4	8,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Lite	6,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Mi Air Purifier 3H	8,499	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Mi Air Purifier 3C	5,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Xiaomi Watch S1	10,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt
Xiaomi Watch S1 Active	8,999	Sports Arm Bag + Notebook + T Shirt

Customers can snag these deals and freebies in all Xiaomi stores and kiosks. They are also invited to participate in various in-store activities and online interactive promotions to celebrate the brand’s milestone.

For more updates, be sure to follow Xiaomi’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Visit its official website and  stores for more information on its product line.