The spacious Dan Garden Bungalow in Melaka is ideal for a family getaway
WHEN Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nate Blecharczyk first allowed people to rent out a spare room in their San Francisco home, they never imagined how this simple idea would evolve into a multi-billion dollar empire.
More than a decade on, Airbnb has become a global phenomenon, offering millions of apartments, rooms and homes in over 100,000 cities around the world.
Airbnb has captured the hearts and minds of many, attracting passionate hosts and those seeking to build communities and supplement their family incomes.
In Malaysia alone, women collectively earned a staggering RM176mil from short-term rentals via Airbnb in 2022, with 82% of Malaysians agreeing that it provides locals with an opportunity to generate additional income.
Four Malaysian Airbnb hosts share their story on how short-term rentals reap long-term benefits.
The unexpected lifeline
Sarah Othman’s income from home sharing helped her through tough times.
For 40-year old Sarah Othman – a risk management executive, the idea of sharing her home as a host first surfaced after experiencing staying in Airbnb’s during her many travels.
“The idea of hosting guests in my wonderful home, and bringing them to my favourite restaurants and shops in my neighbourhood, really excited me,” Sarah explained.
With a room to spare in her house in KL, she opened her home to fellow travel bugs who were exploring the Malaysian capital. What started out as a passion project however, soon turned into the unexpected lifeline she needed.
At the height of the pandemic, her daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. To make matters worse, Sarah later discovered that her medical insurance could not cover the cost of the necessary equipment for treatment.
Thankfully, the income earned from sharing her home proved to be a lifesaver. “The extra income helped lift the financial burden off our shoulders, while significantly improving my daughter’s quality of life,” said Sarah.
Passion for sharing
For Wong, earning an income while indulging in his passion for hospitality is a win-win situation.
If you’re travelling to Melaka, you’ll come across Dan Garden Bungalow in the Airbnb listings.
This property, a chic four bedroom abode with an open, airy, beautiful backyard that’s perfect for big gatherings, is the brainchild of Edwin Wong, a young restaurateur.
Wong, who built the homestay with his father, explained that the project is a testimony of his family’s passion for hospitality. “Home sharing is the perfect fit for our family and what we love,” said Wong.
Hosting allows him to pursue his passion, while sharing his love for Melaka’s rich heritage with his guests. The biggest plus point? The income earned, helps cover his family’s mortgage and expenses.
An opportunity to learn
Nor Hafiza feels home sharing represents opportunities for women.
Nor Hafiza, a 39 year-old homemaker, decided to explore the idea of sharing her landed home on the outskirts of KL last year.
The mother-of-four, sees life as an everyday opportunity. “It’s never too late to learn new skills – home sharing has taught me how to better communicate with others, and how to market my space,” shared Nor.
Her family has been nothing but supportive of her new found passion, and she actively encourages more women and homemakers in her community to try home sharing as a pathway to becoming entrepreneurs.
Worthwhile investment
Izam and Zana look at running an Airbnb as a long-term investment.
When it comes to thinking long-term, many Malaysians - like Izam and Zana, feel home sharing, despite its long list of responsibilities, is something worth investing in.
They started hosting when they noticed a dip in their purchasing power due to inflation, and took a chance by purchasing and refurbishing a studio in a new condominium.
The decision came at a crucial juncture in their life, as Zana left her job to devote more time to raising their four children, but the decision paid off.
“Not only has home sharing helped cover our daily expenses, it has also contributed towards our children's education. We are able to invest more in their education and provide them with a better future,” she said.
Izam also added: “We need an environment that encourages responsible hosting, with fair rules that allow everyday Malaysians like us to benefit from the sharing economy. It’s really important to us that we are responsible hosts and neighbours, and that we help maintain the integrity and security of the building, by adhering to local management guidelines.”
