And the Airbnb ‘Host of the Year’ award goes to….
Most welcoming, creative and thoughtful hosts named in 2022 national awards
The highly-coveted Airbnb ‘Host of the Year 2022’ award has gone to Alstonvale’s Carla Dawes.
Carla, who runs the picturesque Olinda Cottage in NSW’s rural Northern Rivers region was described by judge, Airbnb’s Country Manager Australia & New Zealand, Susan Wheeldon as epitomising what makes a stand-out host.
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“Carla goes above and beyond to ensure her guests have the most memorable experience with many guests coming back as repeat visitors to enjoy Carla’s warm hospitality and the magical stay she has created at her beautiful home,” Ms Wheeldon said.
The ‘Host of the Year’ honour was one of several announced as part of Airbnb’s national Host Awards with categories including ‘Best Unique Stay’, ‘Best Designed Stay’ and ‘Most Magical Experience’ winners ranging from an eco-lodging built from recycled materials in Lilydale, Tasmania, to a 160-year-old converted barn in Merrijig, Victoria, as well as a mind-blowing secret waterway experience in the Noosa hinterland.
‘The Little Seed’ , a luxury self-contained located on bushland in Franklin in Tasmania’s Huon Valley took out the ‘Best New Host Award’.
And another Tasmanian property, ‘The Winged House’, designed to look like a plane on the side of a cliff in Table Cape, was named ‘Most Unique Stay’.
The ‘Best Designed Stay’ award went to Coombs Hill Barn in Merrijig, Victoria.
This year saw two new categories introduced including Best Nature Stay and Best New Host with winners being awarded across the six categories hailing from Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania and finalists from across the nation.
The winners all offer something unique to suit different styles, tastes and budgets and these awards promote the diversity on offer across the 56 categories available on Airbnb including farm stays, national parks, vineyards, cabins, tiny homes, earth homes and of course the more unique options including OMG!, yurts, caves, caravans and tree houses.
“Local Hosts are the backbone of the Airbnb community and to be able to recognise those who go above and beyond is a real honour,” Ms Wheeldon said.
“We know that Hosts put in tremendous effort to ensure their listings are unique, curated and full of thoughtful touches that allow guests to immerse themselves in a truly unique experience to remember.
“More than two years since the start of the pandemic, the travel revolution continues to unfold and the benefits of tourism are spreading further afield into regional Australia and New Zealand, and empowering locals to earn a living and make ends meet.
“We’ve seen fundamental shifts in the way people are travelling and living that are creating tangible opportunities for communities that lay off-the-beaten track.
It’s incredibly exciting to see travellers so enthusiastic about exploring new destinations and Hosts act as passionate advocates for the regions and communities they live in.
“These Hosts are also helping to bring valuable tourist dollars to local businesses and support jobs.
“Being a Host is not just about sharing a special place, it also allows people to showcase their local areas while having an opportunity to earn extra income to combat the rising cost of living.”
Winning Hosts were selected based on extensive Airbnb data, guest scores and reviews, with oversight from a panel of judges that included Ms Wheeldon, and Superhost Merrydith Callegari, who sits on Airbnb’s global Host Advisory Board.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Host of the Year – Carla Dawes, Olinda Cottage, Alstonvale, NSW
Best New Host – Peter Clarke, The Little Seed, Franklin, TAS
Best Designed Stay – Katherine & Wade Harris, Coombs Hill Barn, Merrijig, VIC
Best Unique Stay- Quentin Dempster, The Winged House, Table Cape, TAS
Best Nature Stay – Susie Aulich, the container, Lilydale, TAS
Most Magical Experience- Paul Quincey, Kayak secret waterways full of Stingrays, Noosaville, QLD
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
