Airbnb Occupancy Rate in George, South Africa, Data & Trends 2026
Curious about the performance of short-term rentals in George, South Africa? Over the last year, the average occupancy rate was 54% with an ADR (Average Daily Rate) of 60€. Hosts earned on average 890€ per month.
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90-day occupancy forecast for George so you can update rates and stay ahead of competitors.
Market summary in George
Key metrics to optimize your pricing strategy
Avg. Monthly Revenue
890€
$810 USD
YoY Revenue Change
3%
vs. previous year
Occupancy Rate
54%
~16 days/month
Average Daily Rate
60€
$55 USD
Seasonality Index
72%
demand variation
Best Months
December, March
peak season
Worst Months
June, August
low season
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What George's occupancy and ADR actually mean
Over the June 2024 to May 2026 window, George averaged 54% occupancy across about 194 booked nights a year, six points below the 60% average of the two South African cities ListingOK tracks. Its 59 euro average daily rate and 887 euros average monthly revenue per listing reflect a mid-tier regional market, modest by European standards but typical for a South African Garden Route town and shaped by the rand exchange rate.
The shape is that of a steady regional hub rather than a boom market. The 76% seasonality index points to a real but contained summer lean, and a 1% year-on-year revenue change signals an essentially flat, stable market with neither strong growth nor decline. With occupancy a touch below the national pair average and only middling nightly rates, George rewards operators who lean on its golf and business base to fill the shoulders rather than relying solely on the December festive peak.
Monthly Airbnb occupancy in George
Average occupancy rate by month in George, compared with the same month a year earlier.
| Month | Occupancy | Prior year |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2025 | 52.1% | 53.3% |
| Aug 2025 | 47.9% | 56.6% |
| Sep 2025 | 48.1% | 64.8% |
| Oct 2025 | 62.9% | 55.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 57.6% | 61.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 70.5% | 76.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 50.9% | 50.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 63.3% | 54.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 59.2% | 54.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 48.7% | 55% |
| May 2026 | 50.8% | 52% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.4% | 38.3% |
Historical Airbnb occupancy in George (last 12 months)
📌 Historical trends reveal seasonal highs – plan accordingly.
Airbnb occupancy forecast in George (next 90 days)
These figures reflect real-time demand in George, helping you plan and price strategically.
Why people book Airbnbs in George
George is the commercial heart of South Africa's Garden Route, sitting halfway between Cape Town and Gqeberha at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, and its short-term rental demand blends leisure tourism, golf and a steady business base. The town is a hub for exploring Knysna, Wilderness, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn, and its George Airport gives it domestic-flight access that smaller Garden Route towns lack, supporting both holidaymakers and corporate travellers.
Golf is a defining demand driver: George is one of South Africa's premier golfing destinations, anchored by Fancourt and Oubaai, drawing dedicated golf tourists who often book longer stays. The indigenous forests, the Garden Route Botanical Gardens, Montagu Pass and easy reach of the coast at Herold's Bay and Victoria Bay round out the leisure appeal. As a regional centre rather than a pure beach resort, George carries a more even, services-backed demand profile than the seasonal villages around it.
When Airbnb demand peaks in George
George's demand peaks in the Southern-Hemisphere summer and around the autumn shoulder: the strongest months are December and March, with December occupancy reaching 70.5-76.6%, while June and August are the weakest, dipping into the high-30s to high-40s. A seasonality index of 76% reflects a clear but not extreme summer lean.
The December peak is the South African festive holiday season, when domestic tourists flood the Garden Route coast, and March holds up on the back of autumn travel and events. The mid-year winter months are softest as the coast cools and beach demand fades, though September and October recover into the low-60s as spring returns. Because George functions as a regional hub with golf and business demand, its troughs are shallower than a pure resort, but operators still need to price the summer festive window and shoulder seasons deliberately to make the year work.
Best neighbourhoods for short-term rentals in George
The George central and George South areas hold the bulk of conventional apartment and house stock, well placed for business travellers, the airport and town services, and they let steadily year-round. Wilderness, 15 km east on the N2, is the marquee coastal pocket: its beaches, lagoon and lakes make it the highest-demand leisure zone, prized by holidaymakers and longer summer stays.
Herold's Bay and Victoria Bay are smaller, sought-after beach villages with tidal pools and surf that command strong festive-season rates. The Fancourt and Blanco areas, near the golf estates and the Outeniqua foothills, serve golf tourists and upscale longer stays. Across the municipality, demand concentrates on coastal proximity and golf access, and operators should confirm the local land-use and tourism-accommodation requirements that George Municipality applies before letting.
Short-term rental rules in George
Short-term rentals in George are governed primarily through municipal land-use planning rather than a national licensing scheme. In South Africa, municipalities decide which accommodation uses are permitted in each zone through their land-use scheme and planning by-law, so whether a property may legally operate as a tourist let in George depends on its zoning and any consent-use or approval the George Municipality requires for guest accommodation.
Nationally, the framework is tightening: the 2024 White Paper on tourism flagged the need to regulate short-term rentals, and proposed measures could let municipalities reclassify properties and impose limits such as annual night caps, though these are not yet uniformly in force. Standard obligations include compliance with health, safety and rates rules. Because the specifics are set at municipal level and the national regime is evolving, anyone letting in George should confirm the current zoning, consent-use and registration requirements with George Municipality before advertising.
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* Calculations based on 30 days/month. Actual results may vary depending on market, season, property type, and implemented strategy.
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Frequently asked questions about Airbnb occupancy in George
George averaged about 54% occupancy over the June 2024 to May 2026 period, roughly 194 booked nights a year. That sits six points below the 60% average of the two South African cities ListingOK tracks, reflecting a steady Garden Route regional hub where golf and business demand cushion the quieter winter months.
December and March are the strongest months, with December occupancy reaching the low-to-mid 70s during South Africa's festive holiday season; June and August are weakest as the coast cools. September and October recover into the low-60s, so beyond the festive peak, the spring shoulder and the year-round golf and business base carry occupancy.
It depends on local zoning. South African short-term rentals are governed through municipal land-use planning, so whether a property can legally operate as a tourist let in George depends on its zoning and any consent-use or approval George Municipality requires. The national framework is tightening via the 2024 tourism White Paper, so confirm current zoning and registration requirements with George Municipality before advertising.
George central and George South hold conventional stock that lets steadily near the airport and services; Wilderness, 15 km east, is the marquee coastal leisure zone with beaches and a lagoon; Herold's Bay and Victoria Bay are sought-after beach villages commanding strong festive rates; and the Fancourt and Blanco areas serve golf tourists. Demand concentrates on coastal proximity and golf access.