Gelugor Airbnb Market Analysis 2026: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Penang, Malaysia
Is Airbnb profitable in Gelugor in 2026? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia to uncover income potential. This 2026 STR market report for Gelugor, based on AirROI data from February 2025 to January 2026, reveals key trends in the niche market of 20 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Gelugor, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Gelugor Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Gelugor Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Gelugor (2026)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Gelugor is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Gelugor is typically July, while May often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Gelugor across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $850+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $559 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $328 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $185, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Gelugor
Gelugor Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2026)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Gelugor STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Junesees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while May experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Gelugor:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 37%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 28% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 17%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 10% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Gelugor
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Gelugor (2026)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Gelugor involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Gelugor typically peaks in December and dips lowest during August. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $104+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $73 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $57 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $46 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Gelugor
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Gelugor (2026)
Peak Season (July, June, December)
- Revenue averages $578 per month
- Occupancy rates average 28.0%
- Daily rates average $65
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $361 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 16.9%
- Daily rates hold near $68
Low Season (February, March, April)
- Revenue drops to average $0 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 0.0%
- Daily rates adjust to average $63
Seasonality Insights for Gelugor
- The Airbnb seasonality in Gelugor shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Gelugor's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $603, occupancy reaching a high of 31.5%, and ADRs peaking at $76.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $0, occupancy could drop to 0.0%, and ADRs may adjust down to $58.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Gelugor.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Gelugor seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Gelugor (2026)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Gelugor? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Gelugor Town | A central area with easy access to amenities and local attractions, making it ideal for both tourists and business travelers. | Penang State Library, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Local markets, Shopping complexes, Nearby parks |
| Taman Kaleido | A residential area with a vibrant community, popular among families and long-term guests seeking comfort and convenience. | Local food streets, Community Parks, Nearby schools, Cafes and eateries |
| Bukit Jambul | Known for its luxury homes and proximity to the Penang Golf Club, this area attracts golf enthusiasts and those seeking a refined stay. | Penang Golf Club, Queensbay Mall, Local seafood restaurants, Heritage sites |
| Bayan Lepas | Home to the Penang International Airport and numerous corporate offices, it's ideal for business travelers and short stays. | Penang International Airport, Sutera Mall, Corporate parks, Food courts |
| Relau | This suburban area offers a peaceful retreat while being close to the bustling city, great for families and relaxing getaways. | Local parks, Shopping centers, Food stalls, Scenic views |
| Hulu Kelang | A quieter region with lush greenery, attracting guests looking for nature and tranquility just outside the urban hub. | Nature parks, Hiking trails, Local temples, Scenic rivers |
| Sungai Nibong | This area is a mix of residential and commercial spaces with good infrastructure for travelers. Suitable for hosting guests near major transit. | Local markets, Public transport access, University surroundings, Community amenities |
| Perai | Just across the bridge, this area is gaining popularity for its affordability while still providing access to Penang's attractions. | Shopping centers, Local eateries, Cultural spots, Historical sites |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Gelugor (2026)
While Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Gelugor to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2026, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Gelugor (2026)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Gelugorbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
The best homestay ever
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
2 Bedroom Serviced Suites #6 @ Century Bay
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Pesta Penang Spacious House for 14 pax
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
3 Bedroom Serviced Suites #1 @ Century Bay
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Penang Stay | 3BR 5 Beds | Seaview | Nr Queensbay
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
3 Bedroom Serviced Suites #7 @ Century Bay
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Gelugor (2026)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Gelugor based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | 12 | $23,506 | 53 | 4.57/5.0 |
| Mohd Firdaus Merican | 1 | $9,285 | 17 | 4.76/5.0 |
| Chee Siang | 1 | $4,878 | 4 | 4.50/5.0 |
| ComfortCove | 1 | $4,507 | 1 | Not Rated |
| Portland Assets | 1 | $3,393 | 1 | Not Rated |
| Irishe Homestay Penang | 2 | $2,045 | 2 | Not Rated |
| Joseph | 1 | $1,985 | 10 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Hotel | 1 | $439 | 1 | Not Rated |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Gelugor.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Gelugor STR Market Data (2026)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Gelugor. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsGelugor Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2026): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Gelugor
- The Gelugor Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 100% of the 20 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Gelugor, Apartment/Condo properties are the most common (70%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 30% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
Gelugor Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2026): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Gelugor
- The dominant room capacity in Gelugor is 3 bedrooms listings, making up 55% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for families or small groups.
- Together, 3 bedrooms and 1 bedroom properties represent 75.0% of the active Airbnb listings in Gelugor, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 65.0% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Gelugor.
Gelugor Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2026)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Gelugor
- The most common guest capacity trend in Gelugor vacation rentals is listings accommodating 5 guests (45%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
- Properties designed for 5 guests and 2 guests dominate the Gelugor STR market, accounting for 60.0% of listings.
- 25.0% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Gelugor.
- On average, properties in Gelugor are equipped to host 5.0 guests.
Gelugor Airbnb Booking Patterns (2026): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Gelugor
- The most common availability pattern in Gelugor falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 100% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 100.0% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 1-30 days range is most frequent in Gelugor (50%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
Gelugor Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
17 listings
85% of total
2 Nights
1 listings
5% of total
30+ Nights
2 listings
10% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Gelugor is 1 Night, adopted by 85% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (90.0%) of the Gelugor Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 85% of Gelugor hosts use this setting.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 10% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Gelugor.
Gelugor Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2026)
Flexible
12 listings
60% of total
Moderate
7 listings
35% of total
Firm
1 listings
5% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Gelugor
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Gelugor is Flexible, used by 60% of listings.
- The market strongly favors guest-friendly terms, with 95.0% of listings offering Flexible or Moderate policies. This suggests guests in Gelugor may expect booking flexibility.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Flexible policy to align with the 60% market standard in Gelugor.
- Given the high prevalence of Flexible policies (60%), offering this can enhance booking appeal, especially during shoulder seasons.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Gelugor.
Gelugor STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2026)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Gelugor
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Gelugor is 24 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during October (average 59 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in April (average 0 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Fall (42 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Spring (1 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (24 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Gelugor.
- For October stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 59 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- During April, focus on last-minute booking availability and promotions, as guests book with very short notice (0 days avg.).
- Target marketing efforts for the Fall season well in advance (at least 42 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Gelugor averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Gelugor (2026)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Gelugor
- Essential amenities in Gelugor that guests expect include: Kitchen, Wifi, Free parking on premises, Air conditioning, TV. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Washer, Pool, First aid kit are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
- A pool is a highly desired but not standard amenity, making it a key feature for attracting guests seeking leisure in Gelugor.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Gelugor: Kitchen, Wifi, Free parking on premises, Air conditioning, TV.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: TV.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Washer or Pool to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Gelugor to stay competitive.
Gelugor Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2026)
Guest Profile Summary for Gelugor
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Gelugor consists of primarily domestic travelers (73%), often arriving from nearby Kuala Lumpur, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Malay.
- Domestic travelers account for 73.1% of guests.
- Key international markets include Malaysia (73.1%) and United Kingdom (11.5%).
- Top languages spoken are English (43.3%) followed by Malay (30%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Gelugor Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuala Teriang | 12 | $2,040 | $226.29 | 34% |
| Tengah Island | 80 | $1,658 | $179.65 | 32% |
| Langkawi | 198 | $1,011 | $125.37 | 32% |
| Kampung Padang Gaong | 46 | $877 | $87.50 | 38% |
| Kuah | 317 | $748 | $87.94 | 31% |
| Tanjung Tokong | 25 | $697 | $78.55 | 47% |
| George Town | 3,772 | $687 | $81.80 | 34% |
| Paya Mempelam Village | 65 | $651 | $75.18 | 29% |
| Kuala Muda Village | 54 | $618 | $98.34 | 29% |
| Chemor | 11 | $560 | $133.78 | 20% |