In 2015, over 40 million people travelled and stayed in homes on Airbnb across 190 countries around the globe. The company analysed the travel patterns of these traveller and selected neighbourhoods that have gained momentum in the past year.
The study, Airbnb Travel Trends Report: 16 Neighborhoods to Visit in 2016, found that most guests on Airbnb stay outside of traditional downtown districts and are looking to become immersed in the community and with its people.
Osaka beckons with its shopping, food and theatres. (Image credit: Image credit: vichie8/iStock)
“Airbnb travellers are checking in to neighbourhoods in all corners of the globe, and in doing so they are visiting local coffee shops and small businesses that haven’t benefitted from tourism in the past. When an Airbnb traveller heads to Hammerbrook in Hamburg or Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur, with the help of hosts, they are able to see these places through the eyes of a local, and embrace the culture in a completely new way,” said Chip Conley, Airbnb’s head of hospitality.
Topping the list are Asian neighbourhoods with Chūō-ku in Osaka, Japan (7,471% growth), which is famed for it’s artistic theatres and delicious street food vendors, leading the pack. Taking the second and third spot are Banglampoo in Bangkok, Thailand (1,239% growth) and Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1,231% growth) respectively. Bali’s The Bukit Peninsula, with 134% growth, made it to the 14th position on the list.
The 16 recommended neighbourhoods:
- Chūō-ku in Osaka, Japan – 7,471% growth
- Banglampoo in Bangkok, Thailand – 1,239% growth
- Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 1,231% growth
- Capucins in Bordeaux, France – 966% growth
- Koukaki in Athens, Greece – 801% growth
- Triana in Seville, Spain – 774% growth
- Hammerbrook in Hamburg, Germany – 418% growth
- Kaneohe on Oahu, US – 324% growth
- Meireles in Fortaleza, Brazil – 287% growth
- Roma Sur in Mexico City, Mexico – 279% growth
- Oak Lawn in Dallas, US – 264% growth
- Poncey-Highland in Atlanta, GA – 242% growth
- District VII in Budapest, Hungary – 148% growth
- The Bukit Peninsula, Bali – 134% growth
- Richmond in Melbourne, Australia – 126% growth
- Constitución in Buenos Aires, Argentina – 125% growth
The study also found some consistent themes across the neighbourhoods on the list:
- Art: Creativity is alive across the globe and modern interpretations vary. While museums remain popular people are seeking neighbourhoods known for street murals like Melbourne’s Richmond area, or interesting mixed galleries/performance spaces/shopping experiences like Vertigo Galleria in Roma Sur, Mexico City.
Brickfields, “Kuala Lumpur’s Little India”, is colourful and rich in Indian culture. (Image credit: Mohammad Jahangir Hossain/Wikitravel)
- Food: Interest in food from around the world is growing both for upscale restaurants and for street vendors. Fast, cheap, and delicious food is blossoming around the world – from hawker market in Asia to food trucks in the US and street stalls in Latin America – and everyone is clamouring for these local concoctions. On the flip side travellers still love dining at the finest restaurants despite the hefty price tag, and are flocking to molecular gastronomy-inspired restaurants in Constitución, Buenos Aires, or splurging on decadent French food in Capucins in Bordeaux. But no matter the neighbourhood one thing most people agree on is the need for coffee, and each Airbnb host has their own favourite cafe they encourage guests to go to.
- Outdoor experiences: People are travelling on foot to soak in the local culture, whether it is to leisurely stroll down a secret alleyway or escape for a long hike. From jogging through Katy Trail in Oak Lawn in Dallas, Texas, to meandering through the narrow walkways of Chūō-ku in Osaka, or around the Waterfront of Calle Bettis in Traina in Seville, Spain, people are looking for the best routes to undiscovered gems within cities.
- Shopping: While traditional malls attract visitors, more people are seeking out neighbourhoods where local artisans congregate and sell their unique wares such as District VII in Budapest, Hungary or Poncey Highland in Atlanta, Georgia.
