Airbnb host opportunities for Samoa

18 January, 2018. Samoa Planet – Families in Samoa with a spare bedroom or fale could be earning some extra income through international online booking agency AirBnB thanks to an upcoming workshop.

Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia are collaborating with Airbnb to offer a free info seminar for Samoa on the requirements for being a successful AirBnB host.

“Airbnb is a great fit for the Pacific as it takes a community approach and it’s also a simple process for the host to list and take bookings that doesn’t require access to a computer”, said Chad Morris, General Manager Investment and Tourism, PTI Australia.

“If you have an extra room or fale, I highly recommend you take advantage of the free workshop and come meet the team from Airbnb and hear what it’s about”, Mr Morris said.

The Samoa Tourism Authority and the Samoan Chamber of Commerce are also working with PTI Australia to open up this doorway.

“We really appreciate the support of the Samoan Tourism Authority as our on the ground partner in helping facilitate the workshops and the Samoan Chamber of Commerce who’s supporting us to get the message out to the community. It’s fantastic to have both these organisations on-board showing their support.”

There are already people in the country who have listed their homes and rental properties on AirBnB but PTI believe there is the potential for many more to participate.

“Currently there are only 60 active hosts in Samoa who earn about USD$2,700 a year, so we know the demand is there”, explained Mr Morris.

Airbnb was founded in 2008 and is a community marketplace for people to list, and book a variety of accommodation providers online or from a mobile phone.

AirBnB allows people to list a room, part of a home, an apartment, or an entire house for whatever times of the year suit them. The owner of the accommodation sets the price.

Interested travellers can then book for short term stays or longer visits.

A system of rating and reviewing both hosts and visitors helps to maintain quality control, accommodation standards and ensure safety for all involved.

Since its inception, Airbnb has successfully connected many thousands of travellers with hosts in more than 65,000 cities and 191 countries.

AIRBNB PACIFIC WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY IN APIA

Session 1: 9:30am                  Training for existing Airbnb hosts
Session 2: 12:30pm               Learn about Airbnb and how to become a host
*To reserve your spot, contact Kristian Scanlan, Samoa Tourism Authority; e: Kristian@samoa.travel t:63509 by Thursday 1 February 2018.