Short-term rentals are the driving force for Hispanic Americans seeking to create their own small business, strengthen their finances and reach retirement, while also supporting their families over the long term.
This is highlighted by a survey of 1,516 Hispanic adults in the US, commissioned by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Airbnb.
The survey highlights the significant contribution of the Hispanic community to the US economy, as its economic activity exceeds $3.6 trillion in US GDP.
The findings show that many Hispanic adults now view hosting guests through short-term rental platforms as a practical option for boosting household income and achieving greater financial independence.
The home as capital for a small business
One of the key findings of the survey is that short-term rentals can serve as a relatively accessible way to enter entrepreneurship.
Unlike starting a traditional business, which often requires significant upfront capital and access to financing, hosting leverages an asset that many families already own: their home or property.
Specifically:
- 84% of Hispanic adults say that flexible income opportunities help families cope with the rising cost of living.
- 76% believe that short-term hosting can provide a practical way to boost household income.
- 73% believe it can help families make more productive use of the assets they already own.
The trend is particularly strong among younger people and those with experience in self-employment. According to the survey, 83% of Hispanic adults under 45 consider flexible sources of income important, while the figure reaches 88% among current or former self-employed individuals.
From covering expenses to saving
For those who are already involved in hosting guests, the benefits appear to be particularly tangible.
More than two in three Hispanic hosts say that income from hosting has helped them cover household needs, while around half report that the activity has made them feel more financially secure.
According to the survey data:
- 62% of Hispanic hosts use the income for regular household expenses.
- 51% use it for expenses related to their mortgage or property.
- 42% use the income to build an emergency fund.
- 48% say that hosting makes them feel more financially secure.
The outlook, however, is not limited to meeting today’s needs. The survey shows that hosting is also linked to long-term financial planning.
68% of Hispanic adults believe that short-term rentals can supplement income during retirement. The figure rises to 78% among those aged 55 and over, while reaching 82% among homeowners in the same age group.
Family and wealth from generation to generation
Particular emphasis is also placed on the intergenerational dimension of financial security.
71% of Hispanic adults believe that hosting can help families use their assets for the benefit of multiple generations. Among those living in households where more than one generation resides together, the figure rises to 81%.
At the same time, 69% agree that hosting can contribute to creating financial stability that passes from one generation to the next.
The philosophy of hosting itself also appears to be connected to family and social values. 72% of respondents emphasize the importance of welcoming relatives and guests into one’s home.
“Airbnb changed my life”
The survey also includes the experiences of people who have turned to short-term rentals to cope with significant changes in their lives.
Helen Betances, an Airbnb host, says she was forced to retire early in 2015 due to a disability and was looking for a way to continue earning an income. As she puts it: “Airbnb changed my life.”
Other Hispanic hosts describe hosting as a way to combine professional activity with family responsibilities.
One notable example is a couple in their mid-60s who care for their 90-year-old mothers. According to the survey, Airbnb allows them to generate income while maintaining the flexibility required by their family circumstances.
Hispanics want rules, but not bans
The survey nevertheless shows that support for short-term rentals does not mean an absence of rules. 91% of Hispanic adults agree that hosts should pay their fair share of taxes and comply with basic safety standards. At the same time, 79% believe that local rules should be clear and easy to understand.
On the issue of regulation, 52% support the ability to host responsibly under reasonable rules, compared with 43% in the overall survey sample.
In addition, 74% believe that regulations should clearly distinguish between individual property owners who host guests and large commercial businesses.
The findings therefore show that respondents are not calling for an absence of oversight. Instead, they appear to support a model in which there are basic rules for safety and the operation of neighborhoods, without excluding small property owners from this economic activity.
“Entrepreneurship is part of the Hispanic heritage”
Jordi Torres Mallol, Airbnb’s regional director for the Americas, highlights the connection between hosting, entrepreneurship and financial independence.
“The survey sheds new light on the entrepreneurial spirit that has helped build this country for generations,” he said, adding that hosting through Airbnb can provide Hispanic families with income to manage the cost of living, save for retirement and create a lasting family legacy.
For her part, Gina Ortiz, a Hispanic host and local community leader, highlights the importance of children seeing their parents take on an entrepreneurial role.
“It is very important for our children to see their parents, who are Hispanic, in leadership positions and successfully running a business on a platform like this.”
An economic activity with an impact on local communities
Airbnb’s partnership with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce highlights short-term rentals as a potential tool for the economic empowerment of Hispanic communities.
The idea is that when a home becomes a productive asset, the owner gains a small business activity, while at the same time some of the money spent by guests can flow into local businesses and neighborhoods.
Short-term hosting is thus presented as a potential tool for income diversification, entrepreneurship and the creation of family wealth.
The survey is based on a national bilingual poll of 1,516 adults in the United States and captures the views of the Hispanic community on the economic use of housing, entrepreneurship, retirement security and the regulation of short-term rentals.
The economic power of the Hispanic community
According to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, approximately 70 million Hispanic Americans are one of the most important driving forces of the US economy.
The organization represents more than 260 local chambers and business associations across the country and supports the interests of more than 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses.
With the Hispanic community’s economic contribution reaching trillions of dollars, the discussion around short-term rentals takes on a broader dimension: from a simple form of tourist accommodation, it is becoming, for a significant part of the community, a potential tool for small-scale entrepreneurship, family financial resilience and the creation of wealth from generation to generation.
