Most US Latinos see short-term rentals as path to building wealth

Miami, Oct 14 (EFE).- Short-term rentals have become a new source of economic growth and asset stability for Latino families in the United States, with more than 70% viewing this model as a good way to generate additional income, according to the latest survey by the Hispanic Wealth Project (HWP).

The report, produced in collaboration with online lodging platform Airbnb, found that nearly 15% of Latinos in the U.S. already use short-term rentals as an investment strategy.

The trend comes as the Latino GDP reached $4.1 trillion in 2023, according to the U.S. Latino GDP Report 2025, enough to make the community the world's fifth-largest economy if measured independently.

For Jordi Torres Mallol, Airbnb's regional director for North and Latin America, the HWP-Airbnb report "shows that Latinos are a driving force behind the nation's economic growth, fueled by strong support for real estate investment." Additional income, lasting assets

The 2025 State of Hispanic Wealth Report found that the median net worth of Latino households tripled between 2013 and 2022, from $19,998 to $63,400.

"Latinos haven't just used hosting as a way to make ends meet," Torres Mallol told EFE. "Our survey shows that Latino families increasingly view hosting as a platform for long-term financial empowerment."

Nearly 60% of respondents said they use their hosting income for personal or business expenses, over half for future investments, and about 40% for other financial goals such as education or retirement. More than 90% of hosts remain active, and half have been hosting for three years or more. Training and expansion

To strengthen host skills and participation, Airbnb has launched several initiatives tailored to the Latino community.

"Through the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, we've developed an interactive educational program that introduces people to hosting in partnership with trusted local organizations, including LULAC, Chicanos Por La Causa, and Servicios de La Raza," Torres said.

This fall, the company will launch Airbnb Academy 2.0: Confident Hosting, aimed at helping Latino hosts optimize listings, improve guest experiences, and connect with peers.

According to HWP, 52% of Latino real estate agents have seen growing interest in short-term rental properties, and 9.5% of Hispanic households now own an additional home. World Cup 2026, a hosting opportunity

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the survey found that more than 60% of respondents in Florida and over 45% in California plan to host visitors. Airbnb expects around 350,000 guests across the 16 host cities, generating an estimated $212 million in earnings, according to Deloitte's report The Role of Airbnb in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

"We're just getting started. The Latino hosting community still has plenty of room to grow," Torres Mallol said, adding that the tournament "will be an opportunity for Latinos to build wealth momentum that lasts long after the event ends."

He noted that these efforts align with HWP's goal of halving the wealth gap between Latino and non-Hispanic white households by 2034. "It won't be solved by a single initiative or company, but efforts like Airbnb's are essential to help Latinos build and preserve wealth for generations to come," he concluded. EFE

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EFE published this report with the support of Airbnb.

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