MALAYSIA
Every door opens more
Airbnb’s contribution to Malaysia’s people, places and prosperity
Airbnb’s contribution to Malaysia’s people, places and prosperity
Airbnb’s contribution to Malaysia’s people, places and prosperity
Every Airbnb door opens more. A place to stay becomes a place to spend. A host becomes an employer and a guest becomes a contributor. While these may be small, distributed decisions, together they play a meaningful role in Malaysia’s broader tourism recovery.
From hawker stalls in Melaka to homestays in the hills of Kundasang, Airbnb stays are supporting local families, sustaining small businesses, and helping communities earn a living.
From hawker stalls in Melaka to homestays in the hills of Kundasang, Airbnb stays are supporting local families, sustaining small businesses, and helping communities earn a living.
Short stays: national impact
Short stays: national impact
Airbnb contributed MYR 9.2 billion in GDP, MYR 4.1 billion in direct impact and MYR 5.2 billion in flow on benefits. This economic activity generated by Airbnb supported 93,600 jobs and provided MYR 2.1 billion in wages to everyday Malaysians.
Supporting local communities beyond hosts
Supporting local communities beyond hosts
Airbnb’s impact reaches well beyond accommodation and touches people and sectors across Malaysia’s economy.
Airbnb’s impact reaches well beyond accommodation and touches people and sectors across Malaysia’s economy.
Top sectors by GDP contribution
Top sectors by jobs supported
Spending by guests typically includes transport, dining, entertainment and local services. Hosts rely on tradespeople, cleaners, suppliers and other service providers. These downstream effects help embed tourism value within communities and create flexible job opportunities close to where people live.
The guests behind the spend
In 2024, 67 percent of Airbnb guests in Malaysia were domestic travellers, highlighting strong demand for travel within the country.. Be it reconnecting with family or exploring Malaysia’s natural beauty and culture, guests spent an average of MYR 640 per person per day, supporting businesses and services across the country.
Major destinations
While Airbnb’s economic contribution is felt across Malaysia, two destinations highlight the platform’s role in supporting key tourism geographies.
Host spotlight
Across Malaysia, hosts are turning their homes into micro-enterprises, generating income, building resilience, and fostering deeper ties within their communities.Whether it’s a family listing a spare room in Ipoh or a retired couple running a guesthouse in Kota Kinabalu, hosts are using Airbnb to create flexible income streams and strengthen community-based tourism from the ground up.
Amirul
Selangor, Malaysia
"For me, hosting is about connection, not just extra income. My home is in a quiet area, 15 kilometers from the nearest Airbnb, and offers guests a peaceful, personal alternative to hotels, especially for the everyday Malaysians who come to stay at my home, attending nearby family events. I handle guest communication and bookings, while my father takes care of maintenance, it’s a real family effort. Hosting has helped me build relationships with local vendors so I can give guests authentic recommendations and support my community. I believe my space helps people slow down and reconnect. In a world of impersonal stays, I aim to keep things local, intentional, and connected to place."
About the report
Airbnb commissioned Oxford Economics, a world-leading economic analysis and forecasting firm, to assess the impact of Airbnb’s ecosystem on communities throughout Asia Pacific.
Our work in Malaysia
Related links
Data source: Airbnb, Oxford Economics. Data based on 12 months from 1 January to 31 December 2024.