Airbnb a hit in Knox suburbs, new figures show

HOLIDAY-MAKERS are ditching Melbourne’s lavish postcodes, with the outer east proving to be an Airbnb hotspot, new figures show, and there could be a surprising reason why. SEE HOW YOUR AREA RATES.

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AIRBNB guest arrivals in Melbourne’s outer east have soared with holiday-makers ditching lavish postcodes, according to new figures.

Data from 2016 to 2017, sent exclusively to the Leader, shows Knox is an Airbnb hotspot, with 5400 guests and a growth of 191 per cent — the largest compared to other cities.

Whitehorse’s growth surged by 168 per cent compared to the previous year with 11,000 guests and 500 active listings.

An Airbnb listing for a house in Rowville. Source: Airbnb website

Whittlesea had 1700 guests with a 156 per cent growth, while Casey had 2500 guests and a steady growth of 139 per cent.

Manningham’s growth was 125 per cent with 6500 guests and 270 active listings.

Barry Plant Wantirna director Adam Sorrell said the surge in Airbnb guests in Knox could have been affected by international travellers who were looking to buy in the area.

“There has been a lot of international interest in Knox because it has all the amenities and it’s only a 35-minute drive to the city,” Mr Sorrell said.

He said another possible reason for Knox’s growth was the hospital.

"Little Saxby" in Wantirna South is listed on Airbnb. Source: Airbnb website

“The area has an excellent hospital, so it wouldn’t surprise me if people were using the service to stay nearby,” he said.

The Leader can reveal Melbourne’s CBD had the highest median host earnings of $9300, with a whopping 430,000 guests.

Mornington Peninsula came in second with host earnings of $8000 and 147,000 guests, while Yarra Ranges had 38,000 guests, and $7900 in earnings.

This house in Wantirna South is also listed on Airbnb. Source: Airbnb website

The cities with the lowest earnings of $2100 — $3000 included Darebin, Whitehorse, Wyndham, Whittlesea and Melton.

Airbnb public policy Australia and New Zealand head Brent Thomas said home sharing was achieving what most governments could only dream of.

“It lifts living standards and eases the cost of living without spending a single cent of taxpayer dollars,” Mr Thomas said.

Airbnb public policy Australia and New Zealand head Brent Thomas says hosts in Victoria are earning on average $121 a week. Picture: Julian Andrews

He said hosts in Victoria were earning an average of $121 per week — $6300 a year with Airbnb.

Mr Thomas said Airbnb spread the benefits of tourism to the people and places, including suburbs, which had traditionally missed out.

“Already, our community injects more than $413 million into the Victorian economy and supports more than 4000 jobs,” he said.