Airbnb vs long-term rental in Mauritius: which is more profitable?

If you own property in Mauritius, you've probably debated whether to rent it out short-term on Airbnb or lock in a long-term tenant. Both have their merits — but the financial difference is significant.

This guide compares the two approaches head-to-head, using real market data from the West Coast of Mauritius, so you can make an informed decision.

The income comparison

Let's start with the numbers. For a typical 2-bedroom apartment in Flic en Flac:

The headline number is clear: short-term rental typically generates 30–50% more annual income than a long-term lease on the same property. For a 2-bed in Flic en Flac, that's roughly €8,000–12,000 more per year.

When short-term rental wins

You want to maximise income. If revenue is your primary goal, Airbnb is the clear winner — especially for properties with premium features like pools, sea views, or beachfront locations. These amenities command a significant nightly rate premium that long-term tenants won't pay.

You want to use the property yourself. This is the biggest lifestyle advantage of short-term rental. You can block any dates for personal use — school holidays, Christmas, a spontaneous long weekend. With a long-term tenant, your property isn't yours to use.

You want better property maintenance. Counter-intuitively, professionally managed short-term rentals often result in better-maintained properties. Regular guest turnover means regular cleaning, regular inspections, and immediate attention to maintenance issues. Long-term tenants may let small problems accumulate for months.

When long-term rental wins

You want zero hassle. Long-term rental is simpler. Find a tenant, sign a lease, collect rent monthly. There's no guest communication, no turnover cleaning, no dynamic pricing to manage. If you're not using a property manager and don't want to, long-term is easier.

You want guaranteed income. A signed lease provides predictable monthly income regardless of season. Airbnb income fluctuates — December might be excellent, June might be quiet. If cash flow predictability matters more than total revenue, long-term offers stability.

Your property isn't suited to short-term. Not every property works on Airbnb. Properties without air conditioning, in non-tourist areas, or without basic amenities may struggle to compete for short-term guests. In these cases, a long-term tenant is the more realistic option.

The sweet spot: professional management

The main argument against short-term rental is the effort involved. Guest communication, cleaning coordination, pricing, check-ins, problem-solving — it's a genuine time commitment, especially if you're managing from overseas.

This is exactly where professional management changes the equation. With a good property manager, you get the income advantage of short-term rental with the effort level of long-term. You earn more, you keep your flexibility, and someone else handles everything.

At Your House Host, our 20% management fee is typically more than offset by the higher occupancy rates and nightly rates that professional management achieves. The net result: more money in your pocket than either self-managed Airbnb or a long-term lease.