Belfast

As of June 2026, Belfast, Mbombela, Dullstroom have 439 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 2% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Belfast generates R227K per year. High-performing properties earn R731K/year, while low-performing properties earn R67K/year. Supply growth outpaces revenue growth, indicating intensifying competition despite flat two-year trends. The threefold variance between high and average performers suggests significant operational or positioning differences are driving outsized returns in a market with modest 21% occupancy.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Belfast. Average annual revenue is R227K with 21% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to R731K/year. With supply growth outpacing revenue growth year-over-year, the market is experiencing intensifying competition despite stable long-term conditions. The substantial gap between average and high-performing properties suggests significant performance variance, indicating market segmentation rather than uniform saturation.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Belfast is 21%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of R3K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of R520 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Belfast, with annual revenue of R464K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Belfast market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Belfast area. I don't have reliable current information about short-term rental regulations and enforcement reality for Belfast (Northern Ireland), Mbombela (South Africa), or Dullstroom (South Africa). These cities have limited publicly available data on STR rules, and enforcement practices in particular are not well documented in accessible sources. I recommend contacting local municipal offices directly for current regulations. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Belfast Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing strong demand growth conditions. Supply has grown 2% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 12%. This indicates healthy demand growth outpacing supply. The significant revenue variance—with top performers earning $730,616 versus the $227,275 average—suggests considerable performance differentiation, reflecting competitive positioning within a market where occupancy remains modest at 21%.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak winter season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 18% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (November-October) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Belfast listings include: Kitchen (99%), Tv (83%), Bbq (75%), Private Yard (71%), Balcony (67%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Parking, Pool, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 102% more (R587K/year vs R290K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Belfast over the last 12 months: May: R13K, June: R14K, July: R20K, August: R14K, September: R12K, October: R12K, November: R12K, December: R24K, January: R15K, February: R12K, March: R16K, April: R25K. 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 Belfast is R3K, up 28% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average R1K/night, 2-bedroom properties average R2K/night, 3-bedroom properties average R3K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average R5K/night. Rates peak in April and are lowest in September.

Guests in Belfast book an average of 27 days in advance, down 11% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 21 days, 2-bedroom: 27 days, 3-bedroom: 29 days, 4+ bedroom: 37 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Belfast Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 2%, revenue per listing increased 12%, occupancy fell 14%, average nightly rates increased 28%, and lead time decreased 11%. The sharp rate increases despite falling occupancy and shortened booking windows suggest hosts are competing primarily on price rather than achieving higher utilization, while the wide gap between average ($227K) and top-performing listings ($731K) indicates significant performance stratification in the market.

In Belfast, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 98% higher occupancy than weekdays.