Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia

Last updated: 2025-01-31

Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Semporna? 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 Semporna:

Average Daily Rate
$102
Occupancy Rate
30.83%
Annual Revenue
$7,192
Revenue Growth YoY
71.84%
Best Month
July
Worst Month
April
Regulation
Low
Active Listings
300

How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Semporna?

The short-term rental market in Semporna 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 $388 per month
  • Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,136 or more
  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $2,737+ monthly
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $174

Revenue Variations by Month

Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Semporna

The market in Semporna 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 25% occupancy rates
  • Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 44% or higher
  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 68%+occupancy
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 13%

Occupancy Variations by Month

Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Semporna

Daily rates in Semporna 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 $43 per night
  • Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $82 or more
  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $186+ per night
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $30

Daily Rate Variations by Month

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Seasonality patterns in Semporna

Peak Season (July, January, November)
  • Revenue peaks at $1222.18 per month
  • Occupancy rates reach 42.92%
  • Daily rates average $120.71
Shoulder Season
  • Revenue averages $938.68 per month
  • Occupancy maintains 31.17%
  • Daily rates hold at $85.72
Low Season (March, June, April)
  • Revenue drops to $766.91 per month
  • Occupancy decreases to 20.83%
  • Daily rates adjust to $66.71

Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Semporna in 2025?

Yes! Semporna demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 31% and monthly revenue averaging $939 and With 300 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. 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 (spring breakers, nature enthusiasts, conference attendees, couples)
  • Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy

Top Places to Start Airbnb in Semporna

AreaWhy Choose This AreaKey Attractions
Mabul Island
A beautiful diving destination known for its clear waters and rich marine life. Popular with divers and snorkelers looking for an exotic getaway.
Sipadan Island, Mabul Water Bungalows, Diving Schools, Coral reefs, Local seafood restaurants
Sipadan Island
Renowned worldwide for its exceptional diving spots and biodiversity. A must-visit for marine enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Diving Spots, Turtle Cave, Barracuda Point, Sipadan Lodge, Marine Park
Semporna Town
The gateway to the islands, vibrant local culture and a hub for seafood. Attracts travelers looking for convenience and local experiences.
Semporna Jetty, Local market, Waterfront walk, Turtle Sanctuary, Restaurants
Borneo Divers Resort
A popular dive resort offering luxurious accommodation and diving facilities. Ideal for travelers seeking comfort and adventure.
Diving Courses, Spa Services, Fine Dining, Beach Access, Boat Tours
Mataking Island
A secluded paradise perfect for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty. Great for couples and eco-tourists.
Mataking Island Resort, Sandy Beaches, Snorkeling, Sunset Views, Wahu Diving Site
Kapalai Island
Famous for its stunning water village resorts and snorkeling experiences. Attracts tourists seeking unique accommodations over the water.
Kapalai Dive Resort, Water Villas, Underwater Photography, Coral Reefs, Stargazing
Pom Pom Island
A tranquil retreat known for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Ideal for eco-friendly travelers and relaxation.
Pom Pom Island Resort, Beach Activities, Scuba Diving, Turtle Sightings, Sunbathing
Selingan Turtle Island
A protected turtle hatchery famous for turtle watching. Attracts nature lovers and families learning about conservation.
Turtle Hatchery, Night Tours, Beach Walks, Nature Conservation Activities, Educational Programs

Do you need a license for Airbnb in Semporna?

We recommend checking directly with Semporna's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (1% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.

Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Semporna

JiuQi US holiday Homestay Private Pool Private Pool Entire Villa

JiuQi US holiday Homestay Private Pool Private Pool Entire Villa

Entire Place • 5 bedrooms

$48,313
Revenue
45.0%
Occupancy
$185.27
Daily Rate
Semporna Bamboo Grove M2 B&B bamboo homestay Entire 6 rooms Private hygienic bath Pier 10 minutes

Semporna Bamboo Grove M2 B&B bamboo homestay Entire 6 rooms Private hygienic bath Pier 10 minutes

Entire Place • 6 bedrooms

$43,372
Revenue
48.3%
Occupancy
$234.41
Daily Rate
Palm Apartment

Palm Apartment

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$42,443
Revenue
44.7%
Occupancy
$192.63
Daily Rate
Y. Sisipan Island Resort Twin Room (3 Guest)

Y. Sisipan Island Resort Twin Room (3 Guest)

Private Room • 1 bedroom

$38,038
Revenue
25.4%
Occupancy
$777.85
Daily Rate
Private Chalet Maglami Waterhouse3 (2 Person stay)

Private Chalet Maglami Waterhouse3 (2 Person stay)

Private Room • 4 bedrooms

$37,066
Revenue
78.2%
Occupancy
$118.64
Daily Rate
V. Sisipan Island Resort King Room (2 Guest)

V. Sisipan Island Resort King Room (2 Guest)

Private Room • 1 bedroom

$35,857
Revenue
35.7%
Occupancy
$620.54
Daily Rate

Top Performing Professional Hosts in Semporna

Host NamePropertiesGrossing RevenueStay ReviewsAvg Rating
47615391025$544,94100.00/5.0
Semporna Ocean Traveller8$221,8556544.82/5.0
婷婷9$137,0465484.94/5.0
敦雄40$137,0466544.64/5.0
Tingerbelle17$133,6526644.24/5.0
Joan6$80,775462.90/5.0
Connie10$70,9533334.79/5.0
Teck Chai8$63,642402.30/5.0
Siew Yieng2$62,204254.88/5.0
4794586285$61,61640.00/5.0

Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Semporna

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 private room listings (70%), with house and boutique & hotels properties comprising 80.3% of inventory
  • Strong specialty sector (44.3%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
  • Untapped potential in unique stays, others, outdoor & mobile segments (11.0% combined)

Room Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 300 properties in Semporna shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 50% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 5+ bedrooms together representing 59.7% of all listings.

Key Insights

  • Most common: 1 bedroom (50%)
  • Least common: 4 bedrooms (4%)
  • Market concentration: 59.7% in top 2 sizes
  • Market skew: Favors smaller properties

Guest Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 300 properties in Semporna reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 39.3% of all listings. The average property accommodates 2.8 guests, with a clear trend towards smaller guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 8+ guests make up 52.0% of the market.

Key Insights

  • Most common capacity: 2 guests (39.3% of market)
  • Least common capacity: 6 guests (0.7% of market)
  • Average guest capacity: 2.8 guests per property
  • Market concentration: 52.0% in top 2 capacity sizes
  • Market segmentation: Predominantly smaller guest capacities

Booking and Availability Patterns

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Among 300 properties in Semporna, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (70% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (40% of properties).

Key Insights

  • Most common availability window: 271-366 days (70%)
  • Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (40%)
  • Properties with high availability (180+ days): 85.7%
  • Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 14.3%

Minimum Stay Distributions

1 Night (90.6%)

1 Night

242 listings

90.6% of total

2 Nights (8.6%)

2 Nights

23 listings

8.6% of total

3 Nights (0.7%)

3 Nights

2 listings

0.7% of total

Key Insights

  • Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 99.2%
  • Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0% of listings
  • Monthly+ stays (0%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
  • High market flexibility with 99.9% 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 (0.5%)

Super Strict 60 Days

1 listings

0.5% of total

Flexible (11.8%)

Flexible

26 listings

11.8% of total

Moderate (14.1%)

Moderate

31 listings

14.1% of total

Firm (9.5%)

Firm

21 listings

9.5% of total

Strict (64.1%)

Strict

141 listings

64.1% of total

Key Insights

  • Strict is the preferred policy at 64.1% of listings
  • Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 73.6% of the market
  • Strong market consensus around Strict policies
  • Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.5% of listings

Recommendations

  • The market supports stricter policies, with 73.6% using Firm or Strict terms
  • Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline

Booking Lead Time Trends

Key Insights

  • Peak booking lead times occur in Oct, Aug, Feb, averaging 39 days
  • Shortest booking windows are in Apr, Jul, Jun, averaging 25 days
  • Fall shows the longest average booking window at 35 days, while Summer has the shortest at 28 days

Recommendations

  • Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Fall bookings at least 35 days in advance
  • Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
  • Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Apr-Jun when lead times are shortest

Popular Airbnb Amenities in Semporna

Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Semporna:

Traveler Demographics

Guest Origin Distribution
Top 5 Cities of Origin
Top 5 Countries of Origin
Top 5 Languages Spoken
Age Distribution

Key Insights

  • Domestic travelers make up 5.9% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
  • Primary international markets: Malaysia (6.6%) and Singapore (3.5%)
  • Chinese is the top language at 59.3%, followed by English (31.5%)
  • Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 8.8%

Recommendations

  • Target marketing campaigns for Hangzhou and Shanghai markets
  • Develop localized content for Malaysia and Singapore
  • Prioritize Chinese and English 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 Semporna. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:

MarketPropertiesMonthly RevenueDaily RateOccupancy
Lahad Datu14$446$55.3031%
Tawau69$407$59.8425%
Sandakan117$377$50.8127%

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