Airbnb saw a 61% year-on-year increase in guests in Phuket to 320,000 in the past 12 months, mainly driven by the popularity of boutique hotels and a younger generation of international travellers.
Mike Orgill, general manager for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan at Airbnb, said guests were most attracted to villas, boutique hotels and traditional homestays.
"Offering a broader range of accommodation for travellers, our proposition positively affects tourism on the island and generates new streams of revenues for the local economy," Mr Orgill said. "Some 79% of our guests want to live like a local and explore local neighbourhoods and communities. Unlike the average tourist, they are looking for authentic and unique experiences."
According to guest ratings, 80% of hosts in Phuket received the highest, five-star rating. Chinese was the most common nationality of guests, followed by guests from the US, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Britain.
Worldwide, Airbnb rooms that were in a boutique hotel, a bed and breakfast, a hostel or a resort increased by 152% last year.
In Thailand, 50 boutique hotels across 15 provinces (including Phuket, Bangkok, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi and Sukhothai) got listed, thanks to Airbnb and the Thai Boutique Accommodation Trade Association signing a memorandum of understanding last September.
Ever since, the response from boutique hotels has been overwhelming as hoteliers see a windfall from a new generation of travellers.
Natthawut Cuthsriphanich, owner of Breezotel Patong, a boutique hotel that recently listed on Airbnb, said the response was immediate.
Vorakarn Wattasoontorn, director of sales at Glam Habitat, said Airbnb helps boutique hotels reach international markets.
"We have more international guests than before," Mr Vorakarn said. "Guests are looking for new types of accommodation and travel experiences, and now they can choose boutique hotels such as ours."
Chananchita Maneewongviroch, sales executive at Blu Monkey Hub and an Airbnb host for years, said the hotel has seen continuous growth in enquiries and bookings, with 80-90% international guests and the rest Thai.
