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Airbnb

More than 3 million people in the UK used Airbnb accommodation for their travels this year in a boost to the sharing economy, the site has revealed.

There were 2.2 million travellers who used Airbnb to visit the UK in the year to November.

A total of 52,500 hosts shared their homes, with the typical host earning GBP 2,000 by sharing their home for 46 nights a year.

More than a third of UK hosts earn below the median household income, and almost half rely on the income they make by sharing their homes to make ends meet, according to Airbnb.

This is the first UK data to be released from Airbnb since new home sharing legislation for London came into force in May

It also highlights that the estimated annual economic impact of Airbnb in the capital is more than GBP 1.3 billion.

Airbnb’s head of public policy, Patrick Robinson, said: “The UK government has set itself as a global leader for the sharing economy and progressive business models.

“We are pleased to support their aim of being the world leader for the sharing economy, and to work with them to support a nation of innovators who show the best of the UK by sharing their homes and their communities.”

Business secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “The government wants the UK to be one of the best places in the world to run new, innovative businesses.”

We can see from these figures that companies like Airbnb are revolutionising whole swathes of our economy by giving everyday entrepreneurs and ordinary working families the chance to boost their income.”

“The sharing economy also provides more competition and choice, so is great news for consumers.”

Source: Travolution