Short-term rentals have become a new tool for economic growth and wealth stability for Latino families in the United States, where over 70% view this model as a good way to generate additional income, according to the latest survey by the Hispanic Wealth Project (HWP).
- Short-term rentals have become a new tool for economic growth and wealth stability for Latino families in the United States, where over 70% view this model as a good way to generate additional income, according to the latest survey by the Hispanic Wealth Project (HWP).
- From Additional Income to Wealth
- Training Programs and Expansion
- The 2026 World Cup: An Opportunity for Hosts
According to the report, conducted in collaboration with the online stays platform Airbnb, nearly 15% of the Latino population in the country already uses this type of rental as an investment strategy.
The phenomenon occurs in a context of expansion where the Latino GDP reached $4.1 trillion in 2023, according to the U.S. Latino GDP Report 2025; which would make this community the fifth-largest economy in the world if measured independently.
For Jordi Torres Mallol, Airbnb’s regional director for North America and Latin America, the HWP and Airbnb report “shows that Latinos are a fundamental driver of the country’s economic growth, and that this growth is fueled by strong support for real estate investments.”
From Additional Income to Wealth
The 2025 Hispanic Wealth State Report reveals that the median net worth of Latino households tripled between 2013 and 2022, rising from $19,998 to $63,400.
“Latinos haven’t just used hosting as a way to make ends meet; our survey shows that Latino families increasingly see hosting as a platform for long-term financial empowerment,” explained Torres Mallol.
According to the study, nearly 60% of respondents use hosting income for personal or business expenses, over half for future investments, and around 40% for other financial goals, such as education or retirement. Additionally, over 90% of hosts remain active, with half having offered accommodations for three years or more.
Training Programs and Expansion
Meanwhile, the online rental platform has developed initiatives to strengthen the skills of Latino hosts and facilitate their entry into the sector.
“Directly through the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, we’ve created an interactive educational program that introduces people to hosting on our platform in partnership with trusted local organizations.”
This fall, the online rental company will launch Airbnb Academy 2.0: Confident Hosting, focused on empowering Latino hosts to optimize listings, improve guest experiences, and connect with peers.
The HWP also reported that 52% of Latino real estate agents have noticed increased interest in properties intended for hosting and that 9.5% of Hispanic households already own an additional home.
The 2026 World Cup: An Opportunity for Hosts
Ahead of the soccer World Cup, the survey found that over 60% of respondents in Florida and over 45% in California plan to host, which will attract around 350,000 guests. According to Deloitte’s report, ‘The Role of Airbnb in the 2026 FIFA World Cup,’ earnings are expected to exceed $212 million across the 16 host cities.
“We’re just getting started. The Latino host community still has significant room to grow,” said Torres Mallol, adding that the tournament “will be an opportunity for Latinos to generate a wealth-creation boost long after the event concludes.”
Thus, the executive emphasized that these efforts align with HWP’s goal of cutting the wealth gap between Latino and non-Hispanic white households in half by 2034, noting that “this won’t be solved by a single effort or company; but efforts like those Airbnb is committed to are essential to empowering Latinos to build and sustain wealth for future generations,” he concluded. EFE
