Dark Mofo 2019: Airbnb expects huge numbers in Hobart for festival

Airbnb says a huge number of visitors have booked with the home-share platform for this year’s Dark Mofo festival and it’s bringing in big bucks for hosts.

ABOUT one third of people coming to Hobart for Dark Mofo this month will stay at an Airbnb property, the holiday rental company says.

“Between 6 June and 23 June, nearly 6000 guests have booked to stay with an Airbnb host in Hobart,” Airbnb’s Australia and New Zealand manager Sam McDonagh said.

“The guests will be coming from over 100 different countries, which shows that Dark Mofo’s reputation is now global.”

Mr McDonagh said Hobart would not be able to cope with such a massive influx of visitors without Airbnb.

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“Airbnb hosts in Hobart will collectively earn around $1.4 million during the festival,” he said.

Yvette Watt, of West Hobart, has people staying at her home through Airbnb during Dark Mofo. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“We also know that Airbnb guests are passionate supporters of small businesses in the area where they are staying.

“With 55 cents in every dollar spent by Airbnb guests being spent in local businesses on food, groceries and shopping, this will be a massive boost for the local economy.”

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Yvette Watt joined Airbnb in 2010 and became a host seven years ago.

While she usually rents out her guest room, Dr Watt is making her entire West Hobart house available this year because she will be away during the Dark Mofo festival.

Dr Watt said bookings come early for the Dark Mofo period.

“It’s created such a buzz around town, “ she said.

“You know that this is going to be a busy time for sure.”

Tasmanian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Luke Martin said he expected hotel bookings to also be solid during Dark Mofo.

“June now in Hobart CBD is the equivalent of our peak season in summer,” Mr Martin said.

The festival starts on Thursday and runs until June 23.

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