Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Mtubatuba Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Mtubatuba Local Municipality? 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 Mtubatuba Local Municipality:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Mtubatuba Local Municipality?
The short-term rental market in Mtubatuba Local Municipality 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 $525 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $934 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $1,548+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $266
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Mtubatuba Local Municipality
The market in Mtubatuba Local Municipality 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 22% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 38% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 57%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 11%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Mtubatuba Local Municipality
Daily rates in Mtubatuba Local Municipality 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 $79 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $97 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $129+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $58
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Mtubatuba Local Municipality
Peak Season (December, March, September)
- Revenue peaks at $1171.92 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 40.25%
- Daily rates average $97.77
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $718.02 per month
- Occupancy maintains 27.28%
- Daily rates hold at $86.93
Low Season (July, April, May)
- Revenue drops to $491.66 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 18.15%
- Daily rates adjust to $82.41
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Mtubatuba Local Municipality in 2025?
Yes! Mtubatuba Local Municipality demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 27% and monthly revenue averaging $718 and The market's 160 active listings indicate growing demand with plenty of opportunity for new properties. 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 Mtubatuba Local Municipality
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| St Lucia | St Lucia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity, scenic beauty, and proximity to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, making it a popular destination for eco-tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. | iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia Estuary, Cape Vidal, Shoreline Beach, Crocodile Centre, Night Drive Safaris |
| Hluhluwe | Hluhluwe is famous for its game reserves and rich wildlife. It attracts tourists looking for thrilling safari experiences and is a prime location for eco-lodges and luxury accommodations. | Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Zululand Rhino Reserve, Hluhluwe Toposcope, Cultural Tours, Local Craft Markets |
| Kosi Bay | Kosi Bay is known for its stunning lakes and unspoiled beaches, offering a tranquil getaway for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation away from busy tourist areas. | Kosi Bay Mouth, Kosi Bay Lakes, Cape Vidal, Turtle Tours, Traditional Fishing |
| Sodwana Bay | Sodwana Bay is renowned for its spectacular coral reefs and is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts, making it ideal for hosting tourists year-round. | Sodwana Bay National Park, Diving and Snorkeling, Sodwana Bay Trail, Beaches, Bird Watching |
| uMkhuze | uMkhuze is known for its game reserve and diverse wildlife. It's less touristy than other areas, offering a unique experience for guests looking for tranquility and nature. | uMkhuze Game Reserve, Wildlife Tours, Bird Watching, Cultural Experiences, Eco-Tourism |
| Tugela Mouth | Tugela Mouth offers stunning beachfront views and is an excellent location for water sports and fishing, attracting both local and international tourists throughout the year. | Tugela River Estuary, Fishing, Surfing, Beachfront Restaurants, Hiking Trails |
| Mfabene | Mfabene is a growing area with a strong community feel and proximity to attractions like game parks, making it an attractive option for rural tourism and authentic experiences. | Cultural Tours, Local Markets, Wildlife Experiences, Nature Walks, Community Engagement |
| Mkuze | Mkuze is a small town near prominent game parks, offering unique accommodation options for tourists looking for a rustic and immersive wildlife experience. | Mkuze Game Reserve, Zululand University Botanical Garden, Local Craft shops, Game Drives, Cultural Experiences |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Mtubatuba Local Municipality?
We recommend checking directly with Mtubatuba Local Municipality'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 Mtubatuba Local Municipality
The Bridge, Unit 25
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Serviced St Lucia waterside home with a view
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Little Eden: IMBONISO Sea View Top Floor Unit
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Newly renovated home in St Lucia
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Pelican's Nest St Lucia Private Holiday House
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
St Lucia Holiday Cottage
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Mtubatuba Local Municipality
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megan | 11 | $64,280 | 108 | 2.85/5.0 |
| Bianca | 4 | $43,395 | 57 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Mark | 2 | $42,882 | 164 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Anel | 6 | $38,732 | 414 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Amanda | 5 | $37,621 | 103 | 4.77/5.0 |
| Shelley | 8 | $36,222 | 26 | 0.56/5.0 |
| Kelly | 1 | $28,843 | 17 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Madeleine | 4 | $27,472 | 23 | 4.76/5.0 |
| Nerina | 1 | $24,940 | 51 | 4.86/5.0 |
| Sonja | 3 | $23,522 | 248 | 4.72/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Mtubatuba Local Municipality
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 (72.5%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 82.5% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (15.7%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, others, unique stays segments (6.3% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 160 properties in Mtubatuba Local Municipality shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 38.1% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 62.5% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (38.1%)
- Least common: 4 bedrooms (4.4%)
- Market concentration: 62.5% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 160 properties in Mtubatuba Local Municipality reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 31.3% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.4 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 6 guests make up 54.4% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (31.3% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (1.3% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.4 guests per property
- Market concentration: 54.4% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 160 properties in Mtubatuba Local Municipality, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (71.3% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (45% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (71.3%)
- Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (45%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 91.3%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 9.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
75 listings
53.2% of total
2 Nights
43 listings
30.5% of total
3 Nights
4 listings
2.8% of total
4-6 Nights
1 listings
0.7% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
0.7% of total
30+ Nights
17 listings
12.1% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 83.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.7% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (12.1%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 86.5% 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
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Refundable
25 listings
20.8% of total
Non-refundable
14 listings
11.7% of total
Flexible
19 listings
15.8% of total
Moderate
14 listings
11.7% of total
Firm
17 listings
14.2% of total
Strict
31 listings
25.8% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 25.8% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (27.5%) and strict (40.0%) policies
- Moderate policies are least common at 11.7% 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 Dec, May, Apr, averaging 94 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Nov, Oct, Feb, averaging 67 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 86 days, while Fall has the shortest at 71 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 86 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Nov-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Mtubatuba Local Municipality
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Mtubatuba Local Municipality:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 50.6% of total guests, indicating a significant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Germany (12%) and United Kingdom (9.5%)
- English is the top language at 58.8%, followed by German (13.4%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.8%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for KwaZulu-Natal and Pretoria markets
- Develop localized content for Germany and United Kingdom
- Prioritize English and German 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 Mtubatuba Local Municipality. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KwaDukuza Local Municipality | 1,426 | $1,199 | $173.24 | 32% |
| Umhlanga Rocks | 693 | $1,153 | $129.22 | 36% |
| Umdloti / eMdloti | 319 | $994 | $112.07 | 36% |
| Westbrook | 36 | $910 | $135.98 | 31% |
| The Big Five False Bay Local Municipality | 49 | $803 | $102.98 | 28% |
| La Mercy | 24 | $669 | $99.36 | 26% |
| Durban | 679 | $611 | $77.28 | 32% |
| uPhongolo Local Municipality | 12 | $550 | $124.09 | 20% |
| Durban North | 219 | $466 | $68.34 | 34% |
| Umhlanga | 11 | $410 | $100.60 | 31% |
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