Airbnb Expanding Across Africa

Airbnb has set its sights on another continent to continue expanding its global footprint — and this time it’s headed across Africa.

Citing Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, who spoke to reporters in Johannesburg yesterday (July 27), Bloomberg reported that Airbnb is planning to expand its efforts to the world’s second largest continent in order to continue achieving its goal of spreading its hospitality wings.

Bloomberg also reported that Airbnb recently tapped Nicola D’Elia, Facebook’s former head of international growth, to lead its Middle East and Africa team. While D’Elia is currently housed in London, he will eventually have a staff in Africa to help grow Airbnb’s presence in the region.

Airbnb’s entrance into Africa will start with what the company calls “host guarantee,” which ensures that those renting out their homes are insured for up to $1 million in potential damages, Bloomberg reported. And from the sounds of it, the buzz of the company joining the region has already gotten residents in South Africa eager to rent out homes.

In fact, around 9,400 homes are up for rent in South Africa, which Bloomberg noted makes its Airbnb’s largest market in Africa. Airbnb also has a large presence in Cape Town and Johannesburg, with listings growing 138 percent a year. And the number of travelers booking through Airbnb has increased 257 percent in a year’s time, Bloomberg reported.

“Africa is an incredibly exotic place to travel to, and this is an incredible way to experience it like a local,” Chesky told the reporters.

“We’re keen to start working with local governments and to help them understand how home sharing can be beneficial to cities,” D’Elia said, referencing the regulatory pressures Airbnb may eventually in the South Africa region.

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