Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in uMhlathuze 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 uMhlathuze 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 uMhlathuze Local Municipality:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in uMhlathuze Local Municipality?
The short-term rental market in uMhlathuze 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 $350 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $820 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $1,298+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $156
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in uMhlathuze Local Municipality
The market in uMhlathuze 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 20% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 37% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 56%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 11%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in uMhlathuze Local Municipality
Daily rates in uMhlathuze 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 $44 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $66 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $101+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $35
Daily Rate Variations by Month
Get Live uMhlathuze Local Municipality Market Intelligence 👇
Explore Real-time Analytics
Seasonality patterns in uMhlathuze Local Municipality
Peak Season (June, December, May)
- Revenue peaks at $745.37 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 31.66%
- Daily rates average $68.16
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $606.06 per month
- Occupancy maintains 26.53%
- Daily rates hold at $60.54
Low Season (October, September, August)
- Revenue drops to $451.06 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 21.57%
- Daily rates adjust to $57.73
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in uMhlathuze Local Municipality in 2025?
Yes! uMhlathuze Local Municipality demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 27% and monthly revenue averaging $606 and With 99 active listings, this emerging market offers significant first-mover advantages. 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 uMhlathuze Local Municipality
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Richards Bay | Richards Bay is a bustling port city known for its beautiful beaches, nature reserves, and vibrant industrial activity. It is a prime location for visitors to experience both business and leisure, making it attractive for short-term rentals. | Richards Bay Beach, The Estuary, Sundumbili Shopping Centre, Wildlife tours to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Richards Bay Golf Club |
| Empangeni | Empangeni is a charming suburb that offers a mix of cultural experiences, shopping, and easy access to surrounding attractions. It is popular with families and travelers looking for a quieter stay close to the city. | Empangeni Museum, Richards Bay Country Club, Thunder Valley Racing, Local craft markets, Eshowe Town |
| Lake Mzingazi | This area offers scenic lake views and outdoor activities, making it an attractive destination for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation. Its serene environment is perfect for hosting retreats and accommodation. | Lake Mzingazi, Fishing and boating activities, Nature walking trails, Birdwatching spots, Picnic areas |
| Felixton | Felixton is a quaint village atmosphere just outside Richards Bay, known for its agricultural charm and friendly community. It's ideal for travelers seeking a peaceful stay while being close to the urban conveniences. | Local farms and markets, Felixton School, Historical sites, Local cuisine eateries, Proximity to Richards Bay |
| Ngwelezane | Ngwelezane is a residential area also known for its rich cultural diversity and proximity to local attractions. It's an emerging area for Airbnb investments catering to diverse guests. | Local cultural experiences, Nearby shopping centres, Community events, Easy access to Richards Bay, Artistic murals |
| Ossie Pde | Ossie Pde is a popular street in Richards Bay lined with shops and restaurants. It attracts tourists seeking a vibrant urban lifestyle with a mix of relaxation and entertainment options. | Shopping centres, Restaurants, Street markets, Cafes, Proximity to the bay |
| Thekwini | Thekwini offers beautiful coastal views and access to various environmental attractions. This area is great for hosting visitors interested in outdoor water activities and cultural experiences. | Thekwini Beach, Water sports activities, Scenic nature trails, Local wildlife, Cultural festivals |
| Zululand | Zululand is a culturally rich area, home to the Zulu Kingdom, offering a unique experience for visitors wanting to immerse themselves in Zulu culture and history, making it an attractive Airbnb location. | Hiking in the Zulu landscapes, Cultural heritage sites, Local villages, Wildlife safaris, Craft markets |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in uMhlathuze Local Municipality?
We recommend checking directly with uMhlathuze 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 uMhlathuze Local Municipality
21 Shrimp Tail-Suburban home in Richard’s Bay
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Kuhles Guest House
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Waterfront at its best
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
20@Octopus
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Palm Tree Cottage Felixton Village
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Clifton Home
Entire Place • 1 bedroom
Top Performing Professional Hosts in uMhlathuze Local Municipality
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael | 4 | $40,052 | 94 | 3.63/5.0 |
| Matlotlo | 1 | $30,843 | 5 | 4.60/5.0 |
| Tanya | 7 | $27,974 | 3 | 0.71/5.0 |
| Musa | 1 | $24,898 | 4 | 4.50/5.0 |
| Johan | 5 | $21,526 | 203 | 4.47/5.0 |
| Merl | 1 | $20,001 | 3 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Herbert | 5 | $19,728 | 32 | 3.55/5.0 |
| Johanna | 1 | $16,468 | 13 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Karen | 1 | $15,041 | 8 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Grant And Bernice | 1 | $14,752 | 21 | 5.00/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in uMhlathuze 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 (51.5%), with apartment & condo and boutique & hotels properties comprising 63.6% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (34.3%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile segments (3.0% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 99 properties in uMhlathuze Local Municipality shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 54.5% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 67.7% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (54.5%)
- Least common: 4 bedrooms (3%)
- Market concentration: 67.7% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 99 properties in uMhlathuze Local Municipality reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 49.5% of all listings. The average property accommodates 2.9 guests, with a clear trend towards smaller guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 67.7% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (49.5% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (1% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 2.9 guests per property
- Market concentration: 67.7% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly smaller guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 99 properties in uMhlathuze Local Municipality, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (74.7% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 1-30 days (42.4% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (74.7%)
- Most common booking duration: 1-30 days (42.4%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 91.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 8.1%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
82 listings
88.2% of total
2 Nights
8 listings
8.6% of total
30+ Nights
3 listings
3.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 96.8%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (3.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 96.8% 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
Refundable
4 listings
5.9% of total
Non-refundable
10 listings
14.7% of total
Flexible
23 listings
33.8% of total
Moderate
15 listings
22.1% of total
Firm
7 listings
10.3% of total
Strict
9 listings
13.2% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 33.8% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (55.9%) and strict (23.5%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Refundable policies are least common at 5.9% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Flexible policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Dec, Nov, Jan, averaging 42 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Feb, Apr, May, averaging 18 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 36 days, while Spring has the shortest at 20 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 Feb-May when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in uMhlathuze Local Municipality
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in uMhlathuze Local Municipality:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 91% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (2.5%) and United States (1.5%)
- English is the top language at 59%, followed by Afrikaans (19.4%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 1.2%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Pretoria and Durban markets
- Develop localized content for United Kingdom and United States
- Prioritize English and Afrikaans 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 uMhlathuze 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% |
| Mtubatuba Local Municipality | 160 | $513 | $86.84 | 27% |
| Durban North | 219 | $466 | $68.34 | 34% |
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