“Women are the cornerstone in Airbnb’s host community, and comprise 55% of all hosts globally,” said Airbnb in a statement today.

They earned more than US$16 billion (RM70.64 billion) on the platform in 2022 globally, nearly 10% more than their male counterparts.

Its head of public policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan Mich Goh said female hosts are playing an increasingly pivotal role in the travel and tourism sector, and especially in Malaysia.

Hosting has provided Malaysian women with a significant financial opportunity amid rising costs of living.

For example, Sarah Othman, who lives in Selangor, is one of them.

Having been an Airbnb guest, she opted to host at a critical time when she needed to cover payments for her daughter’s juvenile diabetes treatment.

The extra boost in income from hosting helped her cover the cost of her daughter’s treatment and needs.

As costs of living continue to rise, women are turning to welcoming travellers in their homes to earn supplemental income, and to share their hospitality and culture with others.

A 2022 survey commissioned by Airbnb found that 43% of homeowners in Malaysia have considered hosting to take advantage of this demand.

The extra income is highly desirable during a cost of living crisis, with 60% of existing Malaysian hosts stating that hosting helped avoid foreclosure and eviction.

“This International Women’s Month, we celebrate these incredible women on our platform, and their entrepreneurial spirit and lifelong passion,” said Goh.

“We are committed to ensuring that every woman is recognised, and to provide opportunities for more to have a share in the benefits of tourism,” she added.