Guest spending boosts rural Louisiana economy by $60 million

Louisiana’s tourism economy extends far beyond its largest destinations. From small towns and coastal parishes to communities without traditional lodging, rural hosts play an important role in welcoming visitors and keeping travel dollars local. 

In 2025, travel on Airbnb generated more than $60 million in estimated economic activity in rural Louisiana parishes¹—helping to generate over $33 million in labor income across rural parishes.

Economic impact for rural families

Short-term rentals are delivering meaningful income directly to rural Louisiana households. In 2024 alone, rural Airbnb hosts across Louisiana earned nearly $16 million,² and the typical rural host earned over $9,900 in 2024.³ Hosting provides  supplemental income that supports everyday expenses like home repairs, groceries, and utilities while helping communities participate more fully in the state’s tourism economy.

Hosting also supports groups that are often underrepresented in traditional tourism employment. More than 60 percent of rural hosts in Louisiana are women,_⁴ and nearly one in five is over the age of 60.⁵ For many, home sharing offers a flexible way to supplement income without leaving their communities or taking on additional infrastructure costs.

Travel dispersal beyond traditional tourism hubs

Across Louisiana, Airbnb helps disperse travel to places that have historically lacked hotel infrastructure. Over 60 percent of census tracts in Louisiana have Airbnbs but no hotels,⁶ meaning local hosts are often the primary, if not only, providers of visitor accommodations.

These areas rely on short-term rentals not only to support tourism to their local festivals and attractions, but also for essential travel, from healthcare workers to those in the oil and gas industry. 

Louisiana hotel deserts

Local communities, local impact

Across Louisiana, rural and suburban parishes are seeing firsthand how hosting supports community life and economic resilience.

St. Mary Parish

In St. Mary Parish, located along the Atchafalaya Basin and the Cajun Coast, short-term rentals support a wide range of visitors, from outdoor enthusiasts and cultural travelers to commercial fishers. Local hosts help sustain family-owned businesses and reinforce year-round economic activity rooted in the parish’s working-waterfront heritage.

“Airbnb is a great option for visitors that travel to the Cajun Coast – St. Mary Parish for outdoor adventures. They allow family and friends to gather and enjoy time together reminiscing after a full day of hiking, birdwatching, fishing or kayaking. Airbnb provides great accommodations for stories that will be told for many years.”

Executive Director of Cajun Coast Tourism, Carrie Stansbury

Lafayette Parish 

Named a trending destination by Airbnb in 2025, Lafayette Parish is emerging as one of Louisiana’s most dynamic destinations, where small-town arts, food, and music scenes draw visitors from across the state and beyond. Communities in Lafayette Parish benefit as travelers seek more local, immersive experiences. 

“Tourism in Lafayette Parish is deeply connected to our surrounding communities. Visitors come for our vibrant arts, food, and music scene, and they often venture beyond the city limits, supporting small businesses across the region. That kind of travel strengthens our local economy while preserving the character that makes this area special.”

Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Vice President of Communications Jesse Guidry

St. Tammany Parish

Just north of New Orleans, St. Tammany Parish is a popular getaway for in-state travelers⁷ seeking nature, small-town charm, and coastal access. With local festivals, eco-tourism, and limited traditional lodging options, St. Tammany highlights how short-term rentals help expand tourism benefits beyond major metros and support communities poised for sustainable growth. In St. Tammany Parish, most hosts share one home occasionally, with 80 percent of hosts sharing just one listing.⁸

Hosts supporting a rural tourism economy

Short-term rentals allow rural parishes to benefit from tourism without the need for new hotels or large-scale development. By using existing homes, hosting supports local economies while preserving community character and avoiding strain on public budgets.

Larry, a host in Arnaudville, has seen how welcoming guests supports his household while helping visitors connect more deeply with Cajun culture and local businesses.

“Every guest that comes here eats locally, they shop in the grocery store, or they stop at the brewery. We focus on making sure people that come here get to experience the culture of Louisiana, and the Cajun joie de vivre.” 

Larry, Airbnb host in Arnaudville, Louisiana

Learn more about hosts in Louisiana.

All listings included in this Newsroom are intended to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not endorse or promote these listings or any other accommodations or experiences on the platform.