Penang

As of May 2026, George Town, Batu Ferringhi, Butterworth have 3,909 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 2% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Penang generates MYR49K per year. High-performing properties earn MYR117K/year, while low-performing properties earn MYR18K/year. The substantial spread between top-tier and average earners highlights a market heavily bifurcated by asset performance, suggesting that demand is not distributed evenly across all available listings.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Penang. Average annual revenue is MYR49K with 33% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to MYR117K/year. A 33% occupancy rate indicates significant seasonal or midweek variance, meaning owners must navigate periods of low utilization to capture the high-revenue potential seen in top-performing units.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Penang is 33%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of MYR344, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of MYR102 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Penang, with annual revenue of MYR68K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Penang market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Penang area. George Town: Moderate. Registration with local council required, tourism tax collection mandatory. Some enforcement through complaints and tax audits, but many unlicensed units operate. Batu Ferringhi: Moderate. Same registration and tax requirements as George Town. Tourist area with more oversight but enforcement inconsistent. Butterworth: Lenient. Minimal oversight, registration theoretically required but rarely enforced. Most hosts operate informally without consequences. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Penang Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 2% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 3%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The alignment of growth in both inventory and revenue suggests the market is currently absorbing new listings without diluting existing earning potential.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -2% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (October-May) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Penang listings include: Air Conditioning (100%), Tv (97%), Kitchen (96%), Washing Machine (78%), Pool (71%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Internet, Pets Allowed, Washing Machine, with Internet properties earning approximately 7% more (MYR72K/year vs MYR67K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Penang over the last 12 months: May: MYR2K, June: MYR3K, July: MYR3K, August: MYR3K, September: MYR3K, October: MYR3K, November: MYR3K, December: MYR5K, January: MYR3K, February: MYR3K, March: MYR3K, April: MYR3K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Penang is MYR344, up 20% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average MYR196/night, 2-bedroom properties average MYR350/night, 3-bedroom properties average MYR388/night, 4+ bedroom properties average MYR723/night. Rates peak in February and are lowest in May.

Guests in Penang book an average of 20 days in advance, down 18% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 17 days, 2-bedroom: 20 days, 3-bedroom: 20 days, 4+ bedroom: 26 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Penang Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 2%, revenue per listing increased 3%, occupancy fell 14%, average nightly rates increased 20%, and lead time decreased 18%. The combination of higher rates and lower occupancy suggests a shift toward a premium-focused market where hosts prioritize yield over volume.

In Penang, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 36% higher occupancy than weekdays.