URBAN HOSPITALITY TRENDS: ANALYZING THE FACTORS DRIVING THE GROWTH OF AIRBNB IN ABUJA

As urban hospitality continues to evolve globally, peer-to-peer short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb have gained increasing prominence in emerging cities. Hence, this study investigated the proliferation of airbnb in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, by examining the availability of Airbnb property types and the key factors driving its growth. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 217 registered real estate firms and developers, drawn from the 2025 NIESV and REDAN directories. Structured questionnaires captured perceptions on both the types of Airbnb accommodations in Abuja and the factors influencing their use. Findings revealed that apartments, houses, and guest houses are the most prevalent Airbnb accommodation types in Abuja, driven by demand from business travelers, tourists, and middle-class residents. Less common types, such as glamping units, igloos, and castles, were found to be largely unavailable due to climatic, infrastructural, and market constraints. Factor analysis revealed four major components accounting for 72.4% of the total variance: market demand and investment motivation, digital innovation and platform flexibility, traveler preferences, and policy and institutional environment. Among the highest-ranked drivers were increasing tourism, income potential for hosts, and the rise of remote work culture. However, regulatory support and government policy were perceived as weak influences on the platform’s expansion. The study concludes that Airbnb's growth in Abuja is driven more by market forces anddigital adaptability than by institutional support, highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable integration into the urban hospitality landscape.