Thailand’s growing community of retiree hosts is sharing local knowledge, welcoming travellers and supplementing earnings
A growing number of Thais aged 60 and above are embracing hosting as a new chapter in retirement, using their homes and local knowledge to welcome travellers while supplementing their earnings. New Airbnb data shows that nearly one in 10 Airbnb hosts in Thailand is now 60+,1 with the number of hosts in this age group growing over 15% in just one year.2
Behind this insight are hosts finding new ways to put their experience, homes and local knowledge to use. For Chiang Mai host Wat, retirement was never likely to mean sitting still. After more than 27 years running a coffee shop with her husband, she downsized the café and transformed part of the space into a guest stay — allowing her to stay active, meet new people and continue doing something she enjoys.
“I used to think retirement meant stopping work and taking it easy. Hosting on Airbnb changed that for me. I’ve realised retirement doesn’t mean you have to stop doing things — you can choose to keep doing what you enjoy, what makes you happy and what gives your life meaning. I really love this chapter of my life,” said Wat.
Thailand’s older hosts aren’t newcomers to hospitality. Airbnb hosts aged 60+ have been hosting for a median 7.4 years — almost twice as long as hosts under 60.3 This experience, combined with their deep connections to the places they call home, puts retiree hosts in a unique position to help guests discover their communities through a local lens, from neighbourhood favourites to places and stories travellers might otherwise miss.
For Wat, that means understanding what interests each guest rather than simply giving them a list of recommendations. When she noticed that one guest had a passion for photography, she invited them to explore a local market near her home. There, they sampled Khao Ngiew wrapped in banana leaves and photographed the people, produce and everyday life of the neighbourhood — an experience the guest later described as one of the highlights of their trip to Chiang Mai.
“Being an Airbnb host isn’t about telling guests where they should go. It’s about getting to know what they enjoy and helping them discover places and experiences they might never have found on their own,” said Wat.
Bangkok host Tor brings a creative eye to hosting. After some 20 years in advertising and later running his own creative agency, he stepped away from full-time work to pursue his passion for art and design. He has also been hosting for 11 years, including welcoming travellers to homes in the Bangkok community where he has lived since childhood.
Tor sees hosts as more than simply accommodation providers — they can also help shape a visitor’s first experience of Thailand.
“As hosts, we’re often one of the first points of contact visitors have with Thailand. Many of our guests are here for the first time, so we have an opportunity to give them a warm welcome and create a positive first impression of Thailand from the moment they arrive,” said Tor.
That experience is reflected in the hospitality retiree hosts provide. Among hosts aged 60+ in Thailand who have received guest reviews, more than 55% have an average guest rating of 4.81 or above,4 while almost one in five hosts aged 60+ have earned Superhost status5 — both slightly above the figures for hosts under 60.
The benefits of hosting go both ways. Hosting can provide older Thais with a meaningful source of supplementary earnings in retirement.
For 66-year-old host Lek, hosting began almost by accident. She had renovated a family home for her child to move back to Chiang Mai, but when those plans changed and the house was left empty, her child suggested she try hosting. Six years later, hosting allows Lek to put a home she loves to good use while giving her the flexibility to care for her elderly mother.
“Being an Airbnb host is one of the best things I’ve discovered in retirement. It gives me additional earnings, but it also gives me purpose and so many good experiences. I try to look after my guests as I would friends or family, and when I read their reviews and know they’ve been happy in my home, that makes me happy too. It’s incredibly fulfilling,” said Lek.
1 Based on the share of active Thailand Airbnb hosts aged 60+ as of 30 June 2026.
2 Based on the change in number of Thailand Airbnb hosts aged 60+ between 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2026.
3 Based on active listings of Thailand Airbnb hosts aged 60+, as of 30 June 2026.
4 Based on Airbnb guests’ rating of Thailand Airbnb hosts aged 60+ as of 30 June 2026.
5 Based on the share of Thailand Airbnb hosts aged 60+ with Superhost status as of 30 June 2026.
