Erbil Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Erbil Governorate, Iraq

Source: AirROI
Last updated: 2025-06-01

Is Airbnb profitable in Erbil in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Erbil, Erbil Governorate, Iraq to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Erbil, based on AirROI data from June 2024 to May 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 36 active listings.

Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Erbil, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Erbil Airbnb data is crucial. Understanding the local regulations is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.

Key Erbil Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview

Avg. Daily Rate (ADR)(?)
$72
The average rental revenue earned for an occupied room per day in Erbil.
Occupancy Rate(?)
21.9%
Lower demand, potentially seasonal or market factors at play.
Median Annual Revenue(?)
$2,687
Typical annual income for an Airbnb listing in Erbil. Factors like property type, size, and location influence actual earnings.
Revenue Growth YoY(?)
76.3%
Strong growth (76.3%) vs. last year.
Peak Revenue Month(?)
May
The month with the highest average earnings, indicating peak season in Erbil.
Lowest Revenue Month(?)
June
The month with the lowest average earnings, indicating the low season in Erbil.
STR Regulation Level(?)
Moderate
Regulation details vary. Check local government sources.
Active Airbnb Listings(?)
36
Total number of active short-term rentals listed.

Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Erbil (2025)

Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Erbil is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Erbil is typically May, while June often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Erbil across different performance tiers:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $1,465+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $868 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
  • Typical properties (Median) generate around $355 per month, representing the average market performance.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $186, often with potential for optimization.

Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Erbil

Erbil Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)

Maximize your bookings by understanding the Erbil STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Julysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while June experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Erbil:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 57%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 31% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
  • Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 15%.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 9% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.

Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Erbil

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Erbil (2025)

Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Erbil involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Erbil typically peaks in May and dips lowest during September. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $128+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $102 or more.
  • Typical properties (Median) charge around $68 per night.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $46 per night.

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Erbil

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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Erbil (2025)

Peak Season (May, July, February)
  • Revenue averages $783 per month
  • Occupancy rates average 29.2%
  • Daily rates average $78
Shoulder Season
  • Revenue averages $632 per month
  • Occupancy maintains around 25.5%
  • Daily rates hold near $77
Low Season (June, August, December)
  • Revenue drops to average $371 per month
  • Occupancy decreases to average 16.0%
  • Daily rates adjust to average $76

Seasonality Insights for Erbil

  • The Airbnb seasonality in Erbil shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
  • During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Erbil's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $803, occupancy reaching a high of 35.0%, and ADRs peaking at $79.
  • Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $225, occupancy could drop to 6.7%, and ADRs may adjust down to $76.
  • Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Erbil.

Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit

  • Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
  • Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
  • Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
  • Regularly analyze your own performance against these Erbil seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.

Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Erbil (2025)

Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Erbil? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.

Neighborhood / AreaWhy Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal)Key Attractions & Landmarks
City Center
The bustling heart of Erbil, known for its modern architecture and rich history. Being close to major attractions makes it ideal for tourists and business travelers alike.
Citadel of Erbil, Sami Abdul Rahman Park, Erbil Mall, the local bazaar, Minaret of Erbil
Kurdistan 24 Avenue
A lively and vibrant area popular with locals and tourists, featuring restaurants, cafes, and shops. Ideal for those looking to experience the culture and lifestyle of Erbil.
Kurdistan 24 TV Station, local dining spots, cultural events, Street markets
Ankawa
A peaceful suburban area known for its expat community and excellent amenities. Ideal for families and longer stays due to its quieter atmosphere and local services.
Ankawa Park, Erbil's Christian heritage sites, local cafes, gyms, shopping facilities
Erbil Citadel
A UNESCO World Heritage site that draws many visitors. The historical significance and unique architecture make it appealing for both short and long-term stays.
Erbil Citadel, Ancient ruins, Cultural festivals, local food markets
Shaqlawa
A scenic area just outside of Erbil, known for its natural beauty and cooler climate. Popular destination for those escaping the city heat, especially during summer.
Iraqi Kurdistan mountains, local restaurants, hiking trails, waterfalls
Hasarost
An up-and-coming neighborhood with modern amenities and developing infrastructure. Attracts younger travelers and locals looking for stylish accommodations.
new cafes, local art shops, modern housing developments, Ebril's emerging nightlife
Havalan Street
A busy street famous for its shops and eateries. The foot traffic and atmosphere make it a favorable spot for short-term rentals.
local restaurants, various retail stores, street food vendors, cultural experiences
Gulan Street
Known for its high-end shops and eateries, this area attracts affluent visitors seeking a luxurious experience in Erbil.
luxury boutiques, fine dining restaurants, art galleries, local upscale markets

Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Erbil (2025)

With 11% of listings showing registration in 2025, understanding potential Airbnb license requirements is crucial in Erbil. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Erbil to ensure full compliance before hosting.

(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 11% licensed listings)

Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Erbil (2025)

Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Erbilbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.

Spacious, bohemian style home

Spacious, bohemian style home

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$18,794
Revenue
75.5%
Occupancy
$70.64
Daily Rate
Erbil | Luxury Empier Wings 2 Bed (Families Only)

Erbil | Luxury Empier Wings 2 Bed (Families Only)

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$11,206
Revenue
28.2%
Occupancy
$141.76
Daily Rate
Cozy big apartment with view

Cozy big apartment with view

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$10,920
Revenue
26.7%
Occupancy
$121.98
Daily Rate
Big Royal Apartment - families only (3 BRK)

Big Royal Apartment - families only (3 BRK)

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$6,738
Revenue
22.0%
Occupancy
$125.61
Daily Rate
Diamond: In the Centre of the Golden Zone

Diamond: In the Centre of the Golden Zone

Entire Place • 1 bedroom

$5,231
Revenue
77.0%
Occupancy
$57.55
Daily Rate
Modern Studio Apartment

Modern Studio Apartment

Entire Place • 1 bedroom

$3,796
Revenue
43.4%
Occupancy
$53.80
Daily Rate

Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.

Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Erbil (2025)

Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Erbil based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.

Host NamePropertiesGrossing RevenueStay ReviewsAvg Rating
Kochar365.Com4$22,680315.00/5.0
Urban Oasis1$18,794225.00/5.0
Ibrahim1$11,20684.88/5.0
Hakeem2$6,038164.78/5.0
Sirwan1$3,79664.67/5.0
Kaify6$3,525344.58/5.0
Host #5247295751$3,3280N/A/5.0
Host #4342748721$3,3271N/A/5.0
Host #4796005411$3,1870N/A/5.0
Host #2320379731$3,141115.00/5.0

Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Erbil.

Dive Deeper: Advanced Erbil STR Market Data (2025)

Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Erbil. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.

Explore Advanced Metrics

Erbil Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types

Room Type Distribution

Property Type Distribution

Market Composition Insights for Erbil

  • The Erbil Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 77.8% of the 36 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
  • Looking at the property type distribution in Erbil, Apartment/Condo properties are the most common (83.3%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
  • The presence of 11.1% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.

Erbil Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution

Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms

Room Capacity Insights for Erbil

  • The dominant room capacity in Erbil is 1 bedroom listings, making up 55.6% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
  • Together, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms properties represent 75.0% of the active Airbnb listings in Erbil, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
  • With over half the market (55.6%) consisting of studios or 1-bedroom units, Erbil is particularly well-suited for individuals or couples.

Erbil Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)

Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity

Guest Capacity Insights for Erbil

  • The most common guest capacity trend in Erbil vacation rentals is listings accommodating 2 guests (22.2%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely couples or solo travelers.
  • Properties designed for 2 guests and 4 guests dominate the Erbil STR market, accounting for 44.4% of listings.
  • 24.9% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Erbil.
  • On average, properties in Erbil are equipped to host 3.8 guests.

Erbil Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Booking Pattern Insights for Erbil

  • The most common availability pattern in Erbil falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 94.4% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
  • Approximately 97.2% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
  • For booked days, the 1-30 days range is most frequent in Erbil (63.9%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
  • A notable 2.8% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.

Erbil Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis

Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement

1 Night (62.5%)

1 Night

20 listings

62.5% of total

2 Nights (9.4%)

2 Nights

3 listings

9.4% of total

3 Nights (6.3%)

3 Nights

2 listings

6.3% of total

4-6 Nights (9.4%)

4-6 Nights

3 listings

9.4% of total

7-29 Nights (3.1%)

7-29 Nights

1 listings

3.1% of total

30+ Nights (9.4%)

30+ Nights

3 listings

9.4% of total

Key Insights

  • The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Erbil is 1 Night, adopted by 62.5% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
  • A strong majority (71.9%) of the Erbil Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.

Recommendations

  • Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 62.5% of Erbil hosts use this setting.
  • Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 9.4% of the market seeking extended stays.
  • Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Erbil.

Erbil Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)

Flexible (54.5%)

Flexible

12 listings

54.5% of total

Moderate (13.6%)

Moderate

3 listings

13.6% of total

Firm (22.7%)

Firm

5 listings

22.7% of total

Strict (9.1%)

Strict

2 listings

9.1% of total

Cancellation Policy Insights for Erbil

  • The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Erbil is Flexible, used by 54.5% of listings.
  • There's a relatively balanced mix between guest-friendly (68.1%) and stricter (31.8%) policies, offering choices for different guest needs.
  • Strict cancellation policies are quite rare (9.1%), potentially making listings with this policy less competitive unless justified by high demand or property type.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Consider adopting a Flexible policy to align with the 54.5% market standard in Erbil.
  • Given the high prevalence of Flexible policies (54.5%), offering this can enhance booking appeal, especially during shoulder seasons.
  • Using a Strict policy might deter some guests, as only 9.1% of listings use it. Evaluate if potential revenue protection outweighs possible lower booking rates.
  • Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Erbil.

Erbil STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)

Average Booking Lead Time by Month

Booking Lead Time Insights for Erbil

  • The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Erbil is 11 days.
  • Guests book furthest in advance for stays during March (average 19 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
  • The shortest booking windows occur for stays in June (average 0 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
  • Seasonally, Spring (16 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Summer (4 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Use the overall average lead time (11 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Erbil.
  • During June, focus on last-minute booking availability and promotions, as guests book with very short notice (0 days avg.).
  • Target marketing efforts for the Spring season well in advance (at least 16 days) to capture early planners.
  • Monitor your own booking lead times against these Erbil averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.

Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Erbil (2025)

Amenity Prevalence

Amenity Insights for Erbil

  • Essential amenities in Erbil that guests expect include: Air conditioning, Wifi, Kitchen. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
  • Popular amenities like Washer, TV, Free parking on premises are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Erbil: Air conditioning, Wifi, Kitchen.
  • Prioritize adding missing essentials: Kitchen.
  • Consider adding popular differentiators like Washer or TV to increase appeal.
  • Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
  • Regularly check competitor amenities in Erbil to stay competitive.

Erbil Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)

Guest Origin: Domestic vs. International
Top 5 Cities of Origin
Top 5 Countries of Origin
Top 5 Languages Spoken
Guest Age Distribution (Birth Decade)

Guest Profile Summary for Erbil

  • The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Erbil consists of predominantly international visitors (85%), with top international origins including United Kingdom, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Arabic.
  • Domestic travelers account for 14.9% of guests.
  • Key international markets include Iraq (14.9%) and United Kingdom (12.8%).
  • Top languages spoken are English (42.9%) followed by Arabic (23.5%).
  • A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Focus marketing internationally, particularly towards travelers from United Kingdom.
  • Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
  • Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
  • Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.

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