Canterbury researchers are set to uncover the impact the Airbnb accommodation phenomenon has had on the region’s tourism
industry.
The University of Canterbury (UC) and ChristchurchNZ are working together on the research project, which will explore
the economic, social and environmental impact of Airbnb in Canterbury. It will also look at the financial performance of
Airbnb compared to the formal accommodation sector and how Canterbury rates against other regions in New Zealand.
The research follows insights released by ChristchurchNZ late last year showing the total number of Airbnb accommodation
units in the city almost doubled in the 12 months to September 2017, rising from 1158 to 2035.
ChristchurchNZ figures show there has been a rapid rise of Airbnb accommodation in the city over the last two years, but
this appears to have stabilised at 21 percent of all available accommodation as per last April. The mean number of
available Airbnb units in Christchurch/Banks Peninsula now stands at around 2,400.
University of Canterbury Associate Professor Girish Prayag and Associate Professor Lucie Ozanne, of the Management,
Marketing and Entrepreneurship department, UC College of Business & Law, said the research will allow the regional tourism industry to devise and implement a clear response strategy to
peer-to-peer accommodation.
“The findings will be meaningful for policy makers at the regional and local council levels but also can serve as
learning cases for other regions in New Zealand,” Associate Professor Prayag said.
ChristchurchNZ Senior Economist Peter Fieger said the research is expected to give further insights into the booming
peer-to-peer accommodation sector.
“From a tourism industry perspective, there’s a clear need to better understand the phenomenon of peer-to-peer
accommodation, and in particular Airbnb, as the landscape of the formal accommodation market changes in the South
Island.”
UC researchers will interview Canterbury Airbnb hosts and other interested stakeholders, while ChristchurchNZ will
analyse data for Canterbury and nine other regions around the country and map it with formal accommodation information.
The research is expected to be completed in December and will be available to anyone with an interest in the
peer-to-peer accommodation sector.
ENDS