Seniors are a growing demographic on the AirBnB platform, as 60-plus hosts are increasingly joining the community and opening their homes to travellers from around the world.
In fact, seniors account for more than 4 000 listings across South Africa, up from 1 400 at this time last year.
Listings from seniors grew 182% year-on-year to September 2016, outpacing every other age group by at least 10%.
By contrast, the 50- to 59-year-old demographic grew 173%, the 40- to 49-year-old group by 169% and the 30- to 39-year-old demographic by 157%.
Many of South Africa’s senior Airbnb hosts reside in popular coastal retirement destinations. There are 135 senior hosts in Hermanus, accounting for 29% of the listings in the Western Cape seaside town.
Other towns with a high proportion of senior hosts are Port Alfred at 28%; Grabouw, Knysna and Swellendam at 26%; and Mossel Bay at 25%.
South African hosts in their 40s and 50s get the highest percentage of five star reviews from guests, with senior coming in third.