Airbnb reports teachers made 160 million on its platform

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Teacher using Airbnb — Airbnb announced that 45,000 teachers used their platform and generated 160 million dollars in 2017. Is the teacher’s future on Airbnb, Uber or in the classroom?

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Airbnb published a press release that highlights the economic benefit for teachers to rent their house or apartment; In the United States alone they generated 160 million dollars in 2017.

It seems that Airbnb is targeting a new market segment: teachers. According to his data, during the estimated year, 45,000 teachers were hosts; Of the 160 million dollars collected, 54 million was generated in the summer season. Also, some teachers manage to earn up to 6500 dollars per year.

We cannot judge Airbnb for trying to amplify its market in a segment that looks economically feeble. Nor can we point out teachers to look for additional sources of income. What is striking is that this report seems to exhibit a global reality: teaching is poorly paid.

In Mexico, until 2015, The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reported that teachers earned 69.4 Mexican pesos on average per hour in primary education, 73.5 in secondary education and 94.8 in higher education. In other countries of Latin America, the situation is worse.

The Airbnb effect

For many teachers with the ability to share their home or apartment, Airbnb seems like a good option for supplemental income. However, it must be taken into account that this company does not walk on solid ground.

Data shows that in addition to affecting the hotel industry, Airbnb indirectly makes rents more expensive in cities where it operates, a situation that causes some residents to move out of tourist areas. For example, Spain has begun to regulate this service; in cities such as Barcelona, it is estimated that there is an Airbnb accommodation for every 82 residents, and rents have risen more than 30% in the last three years.

What will be the cost of pushing teachers to exercise other activities? Is the future of teachers on Airbnb, Uber, Lyft or in the classroom?

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