Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in George Town? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in George Town:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in George Town?
The short-term rental market in George Town shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $822 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,463 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $2,198+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $360
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in George Town
The market in George Town shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 35% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 60% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 79%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 18%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in George Town
Daily rates in George Town vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $62 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $92 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $145+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $41
Daily Rate Variations by Month
Get Live George Town Market Intelligence 👇
Explore Real-time Analytics
Seasonality patterns in George Town
Peak Season (December, June, February)
- Revenue peaks at $1272.65 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 48.36%
- Daily rates average $90.32
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1075.09 per month
- Occupancy maintains 39.91%
- Daily rates hold at $81.18
Low Season (October, August, September)
- Revenue drops to $896.56 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 34.32%
- Daily rates adjust to $77.27
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in George Town in 2025?
Yes! George Town demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 40% and monthly revenue averaging $1075 and As a mature market with 3521 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (families on vacation, festival goers, adventure tourists, international visitors)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in George Town
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown Heritage District | A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and multicultural heritage. It attracts tourists interested in history, culture, and local cuisine. | Street Art Murals, Khoo Kongsi, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Fort Cornwallis, Penang Peranakan Mansion |
| Little India | A vibrant neighborhood filled with Indian culture, food, and shops. It appeals to tourists looking for a unique cultural experience and authentic Indian cuisine. | Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Penang Street Art, Little India shops, Indian restaurants, Penang Heritage Trust |
| Batu Ferringhi | Famous for its beach resorts and lively nightlife, Batu Ferringhi attracts beach lovers and families looking for water sports and outdoor activities. | Batu Ferringhi Beach, Night Market, Water Sports, Adventure Zone, Tanjung Bungah Beach |
| Penang Hill | A popular tourist destination offering panoramic views of the island. It is sought after for its nature walks, cool climate, and historical sites. | The Habitat Penang Hill, David Brown's Restaurant, Penang Hill Funicular Railway, Lord Hall, Historical colonial buildings |
| Gurney Drive | Renowned for its seafront promenade and food scene, Gurney Drive is a hotspot for foodies and those seeking waterfront activities. | Gurney Plaza, Gurney Drive Hawker Center, Watersports, Gurney Paragon Mall, Chinese and Malay restaurants |
| Tanjung Bungah | A quieter area with beautiful beaches and family-friendly resorts. Ideal for families and travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle. | Tanjung Bungah Beach, Floating Mosque, Tropical Spice Garden, Penang Butterfly Farm, Bicycle Rentals |
| Ayer Itam | Home to the famous Kek Lok Si Temple and local markets. Ayer Itam offers a glimpse into local life and culture, attracting visitors interested in authentic experiences. | Kek Lok Si Temple, Ayer Itam Market, Penang Hill, Nature trails, Buddhist temples |
| Teluk Bahang | Known for its natural beauty, national park, and adventure activities. It attracts nature lovers and tourists seeking eco-friendly experiences. | Penang National Park, Teluk Bahang Beach, Eco-tours, Hiking trails, Fishing villages |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in George Town?
We recommend checking directly with George Town's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in George Town
7-bed Executive House, RumahKu Georgetown 七床行政套房屋
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Sunrise Villa Family Resort/6BR 4068sf@FP_BGNO.1
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
20BR SwimmingPool Villa Golf View Snooker 40pax
Entire Place • 20 bedrooms
Luxurious House 7 ensuite rooms in great location
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
8 Rooms (Entire place) @ Carnarvon House
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Mint Villa with Private Outdoor Jacuzzi Pool
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in George Town
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven | 81 | $1,129,670 | 4105 | 4.28/5.0 |
| Oon | 98 | $965,042 | 1479 | 3.54/5.0 |
| Lim | 63 | $766,536 | 5433 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Comfy Homestay | 58 | $704,493 | 4565 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Wai Loon | 57 | $594,856 | 161 | 1.60/5.0 |
| Penang | 22 | $590,570 | 634 | 3.41/5.0 |
| Kenny | 41 | $574,986 | 2327 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Blue Sky | 42 | $537,429 | 2686 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Tony | 22 | $508,029 | 2512 | 4.84/5.0 |
| Thhelper Management Group | 62 | $491,399 | 5686 | 4.81/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in George Town
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (81%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 91.4% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (1.0% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 3,521 properties in George Town shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 30.7% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 56.3% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (30.7%)
- Least common: 4 bedrooms (3.6%)
- Market concentration: 56.3% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 3,521 properties in George Town reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 32.6% of all listings. The average property accommodates 5.3 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 6 guests make up 49.0% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (32.6% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.6% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 5.3 guests per property
- Market concentration: 49.0% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 3,521 properties in George Town, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (43.6% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (28.2% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (43.6%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (28.2%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 71.1%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 30.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
2698 listings
82.5% of total
2 Nights
355 listings
10.9% of total
3 Nights
36 listings
1.1% of total
4-6 Nights
26 listings
0.8% of total
7-29 Nights
72 listings
2.2% of total
30+ Nights
83 listings
2.5% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 93.4%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.8% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (2.5%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 94.5% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 60 Days
7 listings
0.2% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
5 listings
0.2% of total
Flexible
583 listings
19.8% of total
Moderate
810 listings
27.5% of total
Firm
276 listings
9.4% of total
Strict
1260 listings
42.8% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 42.8% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (47.3%) and strict (52.2%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 0.2% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Feb, Jan, Jul, averaging 37 days
- Shortest booking windows are in May, Oct, Sep, averaging 28 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 36 days, while Spring has the shortest at 29 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 36 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Spring to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during May-Sep when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in George Town
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in George Town:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 51% of total guests, indicating a significant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Singapore (13.5%) and Indonesia (10.6%)
- English is the top language at 49.7%, followed by Malay (21.5%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.4%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Kuala Lumpur and Selangor markets
- Develop localized content for Singapore and Indonesia
- Prioritize English and Malay language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding George Town. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuala Teriang | 16 | $2,186 | $149.35 | 31% |
| Tengah Island | 63 | $1,555 | $158.57 | 31% |
| Langkawi | 133 | $1,146 | $121.77 | 35% |
| Chemor | 10 | $854 | $123.38 | 28% |
| Kuala Muda Village | 38 | $761 | $80.40 | 33% |
| Kampung Padang Gaong | 44 | $730 | $88.20 | 31% |
| Kuah | 268 | $665 | $69.30 | 33% |
| Paya Mempelam Village | 68 | $659 | $114.30 | 29% |
| Pangkor Island | 86 | $567 | $89.99 | 20% |
| Alor Setar | 81 | $558 | $91.03 | 26% |
How is your STR performing?
Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Enjoy the best-in-class AI-powered analytics for free!
Discover Insights