India’s Gen Z is increasingly moving from being travellers to becoming hosts, with the number of Airbnb hosts aged 18 to 29 growing nearly 40 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2026, according to new data released by Airbnb.
Nearly two in five new Airbnb hosts in India are now from the Gen Z age group, while their earnings through the platform rose by over 60 per cent during January-June 2026 compared to the corresponding period last year.
The growth has been recorded across major metros and emerging destinations, including Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurugram, Indore, Mumbai and Noida. Indore emerged as one of the fastest-growing cities for young hosts, registering growth of over 120 per cent year-on-year.
In Guwahati, the city’s emergence among destinations attracting young Airbnb hosts reflects the growing potential of the region’s tourism and hospitality sector. With Guwahati serving as a key gateway to Northeast India, increased participation by young local hosts could expand accommodation choices for travellers and create new income opportunities through home-based hospitality.
Airbnb said Gen Z hosting is also expanding beyond major cities, with rural destinations recording 60 per cent year-on-year growth and low-density urban destinations seeing nearly 70 per cent growth. Nearly one in seven Gen Z hosts in India has achieved Superhost status, according to the company.
Airbnb India and Southeast Asia Country Head Amanpreet Singh Bajaj said young Indians were increasingly embracing hosting and entrepreneurship while sharing local knowledge and creating new opportunities.