Airbnb is on track to record one million guests in a single night this New Year’s Eve – almost double the number that booked accommodation through the sharing site a year ago.
And Paris, which is still under a state of emergency following last month’s terrorist attacks, is proving one of the most popular cities, with an estimated 45,000 revellers booking the French capital with Airbnb.
Airbnb data show this year’s booking figures are up 81% on December 31 2014, when it hosted 550,000 guests.
The numbers show just how quickly Airbnb has grown.
In 2010, just 2,000 guests booked New Year stays at its listed properties, the company said.
Year-end stays have been booked in 150 different countries with New York proving the most popular destination with 47,000 guests, while 35,000 people have booked Airbnb stays in London.
Tokyo, Barcelona, Sydney and Miami are also popular.
Airbnb head of hospitality Chip Conley said: "It’s encouraging to see Paris up there after what happened a month ago. It’s good to see Paris rebounding."
Traditionally the priciest night of the year, many Airbnb guests will have saved big money compared to a stay in a conventional hotel.
However several of its high-end New Year’s Eve listings cost more than $2,000 per night for New Year, including a $4,000-per-night five-bedroom villa in the Dominican Republic.
Airbnb said there are even 90 people who will see in the New Year on their own private islands.
