Consulting Report
28 May 2024

Boosting Accommodation Supply and Affordability During Major Events

Commissioned by Airbnb

A report assessing Airbnb’s role in boosting tourism and supporting regional destinations during major events in the UK.

Flexible accommodation solutions made available on Airbnb enable destinations to host events, enhancing visitor experience and bolstering local economies.

Oxford Economics was commissioned by Airbnb to assess and quantify the extent to which Airbnb provided greater choice, increased affordability and contributed to the local economy during the European Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and the COP26 Conference 2021 in Glasgow.

Accommodation spending by guests on Airbnb provided valuable income to local Hosts, thereby helping retain visitor spending within the community. Guests staying in Airbnb accommodation also spent with local businesses such as restaurants and other retail outlets.

The spending generates economic activity, which includes the direct impact of spending by guests on Airbnb, the impact associated with local businesses’ purchases from their suppliers and the impact of local businesses’ payments to their employees and these employees’ spending in the wider economy. Spending by guests is estimated to have contributed £4.1 million to UK GDP during the European Song Contest in 2023 in Liverpool, £8.6 million during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and £23.7 million during COP26 in 2021 in Glasgow.

To read more, please click here.

The experts behind the research

Anubhav and Matt, members of the economic consulting and tourism economics team, bring years of experience in quantitative economic analysis and original, evidence-based research, working with clients around the globe and across sectors.

Anubhav Mohanty

Associate Director, Economic Consulting

Matthew Dass

Director of Consulting, EMEA, Tourism Economics

Recent related reports

SHEIN Economic Impact US
The Economic Impact of SHEIN in the United States

Consulting Report Boosting Accommodation Supply and Affordability During Major Events You might be interested in

Find Out More
Global travel outlook remains strong despite headwinds

Research Briefing Boosting Accommodation Supply and Affordability During Major Events The latest global travel service highlights key trends and uncertainties.

Find Out More
Resilient global tourism outlook despite downturn in sentiment

Research Briefing Boosting Accommodation Supply and Affordability During Major Events Nearly two-thirds of tourism experts developed a negative view of the economy in recent months.

Find Out More
Collaboration on sustainability
Four steps to ensure corporate sustainability programs are actually sustainable

Sustainability is a long game. Here are four steps to ensure your sustainability programs are actually sustainable.

Find Out More