On the heels of G20 Summit, Travel+Leisure India & South Asia sits down with Amanpreet Bajaj of Airbnb to understand the impact of the forum on travel and tourism, insights gained, and the path ahead.
Excerpts from the interview with Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager, Airbnb India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan
T+L India: How has the recent G20 Summit affected Airbnb’s business in the country? Can you share any specific insights into changes in demand, bookings, or user behaviour during the period?
Amanpreet Bajaj: The G20 brought together leaders and an influx of international visitors from around the world. The Ministry of Tourism designated 2023 as the ‘Visit India’ year. As representatives and spectators poured in from G20 nations, Airbnb witnessed a spike in searches, particularly in cities such as New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the ever- popular Goa. Given the widespread nature of the summit, with meetings scattered across 60 diverse cities of India— from Goa’s beaches to Udaipur’s palaces, we experienced not only an increase in bookings but also a broadened geographic demand. Lesser-known destinations like Indore, Surat, and Thiruvananthapuram also basked in the limelight.
T+L India: The G20 Summit highlighted discussions on sustainable tourism and responsible travel. What initiatives is the company undertaking to promote sustainable travel in India?
Amanpreet Bajaj: Airbnb has an ongoing partnership with the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) to help expand livelihood opportunities for women and empower them. We are helping SEWA members pursue new livelihoods and income streams by sharing their homes on Airbnb. The initiative is also promoting tourism in parts of India that have not traditionally benefited from tourism and hospitality, through home sharing. Last year, Airbnb also signed a MoU with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, to jointly promote Goa as one of the most sought-after tourism destinations in India and around the world. This partnership is aimed at encouraging travel to unique destinations that are lesser known and to enable economically regenerative community- led and responsible tourism in the state.This year, Airbnb also signed an MoU with the Ministry of Tourism at a G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Goa. The MoU represents an important collaboration towards unlocking new economic and social opportunities through tourism in India.
T+L India: Can you share some of Airbnb’s key takeaways and lessons from the event?
Amanpreet Bajaj: The G20 Summit of 2023 underscored several pivotal themes encompassing green tourism, adventure tourism, digital transformation, destination management, skilling, and MSMEs. We believe that heritage and cultural tourism also promote a culture of preservation and environmental conservation. Various state governments have been working together to strengthen infrastructure, promote cultural heritage, preserve diversity and achieve sustainable development. At Airbnb, we are also committed to enabling responsible tourism.
Related: Hosting Heritage Homes On Airbnb: An Insider’s Guide
Written By
Adila Matra
Deputy EditorAdila Matra is a Delhi-based writer who likes to hop on board a bus and head to the Himalayas when she hears the call of the mountains. An ardent lover of hummus, Adila makes it a point to sample strange local dishes wherever she goes. When she is not travelling, she can be found lazing around, watching cool sci-fi shows or reading historical fiction.
