Worcester Airbnb graduation hosts earned $36,000
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Airbnb guests in Worcester contributed $230,000 to the local economy over WPI/Worcester State graduation weekend.
Parents, friends and relatives who stayed at a local Airbnb instead of a hotel over Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduation weekend contributed $230,000 to the local economy during their stay, according to Airbnb data released Thursday.
Over the weekend of May 12-14 -- the same weekend as Worcester State University graduation -- local Airbnb hosts earned a collective $36,000 in income, and visitors spent $230,000 at cafes, restaurants and shops. Airbnb use in Worcester was also up 51 percent over the previous weekend, according to the data.
“Through home sharing, parents and visiting friends and family are able to stay closer to a graduate’s school and keep valuable tourism dollars in the communities immediately surrounding the institution,” said Will Burns, director of public policy for Airbnb. “The surge in visitors creates millions of dollars for the small businesses in these areas, as well as extra income for Airbnb hosts to help support their families.”
Across Massachusetts, Airbnb visitors spent $7.6 million in guest spending, and hosts earned $3 million over several graduation weekends in May. Over the weekend of May 19-22, Airbnb guests attending Boston College, Boston University or Suffolk University graduation generated $8.4 million in local economic activity -- $5.9 million in spending and $2.5 million in host income.
Airbnb, which allows users to rent out rooms or their entire home online, has been somewhat controversial in Massachusetts. State legislators are currently debating tax policy surrounding short-term rentals.
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