Dubai among world's best cities for Airbnb rentals with close to 16,000 listings

The emirate has the 10th most properties on the planet

Dubai is one of the world's most profitable cities for Airbnb landlords. Landlords who own properties surrounding Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, can earn an average of £930 ($1,150) per night. Chris Whiteoak / The National

'Billionaire's Row' in Manhattan, New York. Owners of properties near Central Park can charge an average of £767 per night. AP

Owners of properties near the famous Edinburgh Castle in Scotland can charge up to £416 a night.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris. Homes in the French capital's Arc de Triomphe area can fetch up to £412 a night. AFP

Owners of properties overlooking San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge can charge up to £403 a night. Reuters

Dubai is one of the world’s top destinations for Airbnb offerings, new data shows.

The emirate has 15,984 active Airbnb listings, making it one of the cities with the most choice for travellers and short-term renters.

Last month, it was announced Dubai is also one of the most profitable cities for Airbnb landlords.

Scroll through the gallery above to see which other cities are the most profitable cities for Airbnb landlords

Dubai is ranked 10th among global cities, with London coming out on top for having the most listings. The UK capital has 34,135 active properties, followed by Paris, with 24,940, and New York with 22,586.

Istanbul is ranked fourth, with 21,625, and Shanghai is fifth, with 20,732. However, Airbnb is reportedly set to cease operating in China.

In total, Airbnb is home to more than seven million rentals around the world. However, since 2019, the number of active Airbnb rentals has fallen, with the total number of listings for the top 10 destinations dropping from 303,535 to 209,682. It marks a 30.92 per cent drop, which coincides with the onset of the global pandemic and subsequent travel bans.

Las Vegas is home to the most expensive rentals, with the average night in the US city setting travellers back $229.02.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Ankara, Turkey, has the cheapest average cost per night at $21.05.

Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi signed a deal with Airbnb to promote the holiday home sector in the capital.

Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism and Airbnb will collaborate to help grow and develop the sector for visitors looking for alternatives to traditional hotels.

Since then, several properties have been listed on the short-term accommodation booking service, with hosted stays, unique properties and luxury lodgings all open for reservations.

The cities with the most Airbnb listings

1. London, UK — 34,135

2. Paris, France — 24,940

3. New York City, US — 22,586

4. Istanbul, Turkey — 21,625

5. Shanghai, China — 20,732

6. Chengdu, China — 17,818

7. Rome, Italy — 17,756

8. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — 17,165

9. Mexico City, Mexico — 16,977

10. Dubai, UAE — 15,948

Six of the best Airbnbs in Abu Dhabi, from a private island villa to a rustic farm stay — in pictures

1. A luxury villa on Zaya Nurai island. All photos: Airbnb unless mentioned otherwise

2. Farm 118 offers cosy accommodation, an outdoor pool and sand dune views.

3. Enjoy direct access to Soul Beach at Mamsha Al Saadiyat in this loft-style Airbnb stay.

4. Relax at the traditional majlis in Al Khateem Art Hub, a local Emirati farmhouse.

5. Villa Blue is a luxury stay in the heart of Abu Dhabi that is ideal for a family escape.

6. The stunning Villa Lazuli on Saadiyat island. Photo: www.villalazuli.com