Airbnb has taken to profiling its women hosts in an International Women’s Day #HostWithHer initiative.
The announcement:
This International Women’s Day (IWD), Airbnb is championing its female host community in Australia through #HostWithHer, an initiative that celebrates their stories and offers real-life advice.
Embracing this year’s International Women’s Day theme #EachForEqual, Airbnb’s campaign invites women and allies to discover the joy of hosting, as the company works towards IWD’s goal of creating a gender-equal world with thriving economies and communities.
By hosting on the platform, Australian women have achieved greater financial, professional and social empowerment. In fact, 61 percent of Airbnb’s homes host community in Australia are female – above the global average of 54% – earning over $690 million in 2019 by listing their home on Airbnb3.
From Simone in the Blue Mountains who teaches her guests how to live an eco-conscious lifestyle, to Alaa who moved to Australia from Syria and uses the income she earns from hosting an Airbnb Experience to support herself as she studies at university, tens of thousands of female hosts are using the platform to achieve greater financial independence.
Susan Wheeldon, Country Manager for Airbnb in Australia, says she is proud to see how women across the country are utilising the platform to fulfill their life goals: “Each host has a unique story and I love seeing how Airbnb has empowered incredible Australian women – whether that be through listing their home or running an Airbnb Experience.
“Women in Australia and around the world are using their Airbnb income for everything, from sending their children to school, to living an independent lifestyle, and pursuing their passions.”
Here are just some of the incredible Australian hosts on the platform who are available for interview and can speak about how they’re using the experiences economy to become more economically empowered and connect with the global community:
Simone Novello
Host: Werona Eco Cottage, Half Acre Gardens, Chickens
Simone was working in the corporate world as a newly single parent when she decided to escape the city and move to the Blue Mountains. What was only supposed to be a six-month sabbatical turned into a permanent ‘tree-change’, reconnecting with nature. Simone now lives an eco-conscious lifestyle and encourages others to do the same through Airbnb. From compostable kitchen sponges to hemp shower curtains, the wellbeing of her guests and the planet are always top of mind. Simone has also used her Airbnb income to complete a permaculture course so she can continue investing in sustainable practices at home.
Adrienne Penny
Host: Boutique Natural Rainforest Beach Studio
As part of Week for Good, an annual Airbnb tradition designed to inspire a spirit of generosity, Sunshine Coast-based host Adrienne Penny attended an event organised by Carers Queensland. Following the event, a group of 15 hosts on Airbnb volunteered to open up their homes to Carers in need of respite. Adrienne opened her home for three days a week to a Carer named Matt, whose wife lives with a mental illness. Adrienne now also shares her story through ‘The Carers Project’ to raise awareness of this cause and educate other hosts on how they can too support it.
Lesley Unsworth and Alaa Krayem
Experience host: Taste of Sydney-Barangaroo & the Rocks
Taste Tours, created by Lesley, is a social enterprise that focuses on providing training and employment for people who have experienced hardship and disadvantage, such as young people, refugees, and migrants. Through Taste Tours, Lesley employs Alaa. Originally from Syria, Alaa has been in Australia for four years and is currently studying nursing at university. Alaa now hosts multiple Airbnb Experience tours and even supports new guides in the business with on-the-job training. The Experiences run by Taste Tours on the platform are social impact experiences, whereby 100% of what guests pay for the experience goes directly to the work undertaken by Taste Tours.
Tamila Dalila
Experience host: Snorkel in Sydney with a Mermaid
Tamila obtained her Australian citizenship after spending eight years in the country. But while this gave her an enormous sense of accomplishment, she felt lost and didn’t know what her next career move would be. Tamila wanted to tap into her passion and knowledge of the ocean, but also wanted the freedom of a flexible work schedule. That’s when she came across Airbnb Experiences – and she hasn’t looked back since. Today, Tamila gets to combine her work and her passion, showcasing a Sydney hidden gem to people who love the ocean just as much as she does.
