Liverpool and the wider city region have joined forces with Airbnb in calling on locals to help accommodate incoming fans of the iconic song contest.
Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to visit Liverpool when it hosts the 2023 showcase in May on behalf of Ukraine, as fans from across the UK and those of other nations flock to the city to support their favourite acts.
The influx of guests to the city presents a real economic opportunity for Liverpudlians, especially those with spare rooms. By sharing space in their homes over the course of the contest, those in the Liverpool city region can earn some additional income – much needed as living costs continue to rise – and provide affordable accommodation and an authentic local experience to incoming guests.
The average nightly cost of a private room on Airbnb in Liverpool over the week of the show is currently £1051. Assuming a guest stays for the five-night duration, a Liverpool resident could pocket over £500 just by sharing their spare room during the big event at that rate.
To encourage local families and communities, Airbnb is also offering a £50 travel coupon to anybody that hosts their first Airbnb guest in a private room in Liverpool during dates of the contest (9 – 13 May).
Liverpool locals opening their homes to warmly welcome incoming guests from different countries and cultures means more of the economic benefits generated by the world renowned event will stay with locals and their communities in Liverpool and the surrounding areas.
Last year, a typical Host of a private room on Airbnb in the UK earned about £2,4002. A survey of Hosts also found that 4 in 10 say the additional income helps them afford their home and rising living costs. Hosts, especially those of private rooms, also provide affordable travel options and half of guests say booking on Airbnb saved them money.
Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb said:
“As guests from across the world flock to the City of Music, we want everyone in Liverpool to benefit. By opening their homes, locals can earn some extra cash, showcase the best of authentic local hospitality and help bring communities together to unite them through music. Airbnb has made it easier than ever for anyone to become a Host and as living costs continue to rise, we know that home sharing is a welcome lifeline for thousands across the UK.”
Cllr Harry Doyle – Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy said:
“Hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine is a real honour for the city and we want as many visitors as possible to enjoy it here in Liverpool. This is a great initiative that will not only give our residents an opportunity to share any spare space and benefit financially but to provide the warm welcome that we are renowned for”
From the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games through to COP26 in Glasgow, Airbnb has a long history of helping cities accommodate big events, while generating benefits for local families and communities. Home sharing allows cities to flexibly increase the number of guests they can accommodate without expensive building and infrastructure projects, providing a more sustainable way of accommodating a surge in visitors.
The honour of hosting this year’s contest was awarded to Liverpool, after last year’s winners, Ukraine were unable to due to the ongoing conflict in the region. In 2022, Airbnb successfully housed over 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine and remains dedicated to working with partners to support refugees from Ukraine and beyond in the months to come.
In November, Airbnb introduced Airbnb Setup, making it easier than ever to become a Host. Airbnb Setup includes one-to-one guidance from a Superhost, an experienced guest for your first booking, and specialised support from Airbnb. As well as that, AirCover, Airbnb’s top to bottom protection for Hosts, has been bolstered to provide even more safeguards for Hosts and their property.
For more information, please visit: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/e/hostinginliverpool
Read more about: Homes, Partnerships, UK