She said Airbnb is becoming more popular because of the choice it provides travellers.
"There are Airbnbs all over Whanganui - for example there are no motels near Virginia Lake and that's a big factor for our guests."
Ms Hobbs concluded the growth was due to her generation retiring and having empty rooms after offspring had left home. "We did consider selling - our second guests actually wanted to buy our house.
"Airbnb is a good form of income and it forces us to keep the place looking nice if we do decide to sell."
■Robert Scott and his wife started using Airbnb six months ago listing two double rooms and have since had more than 20 bookings. Mr Scott said homes are one of the most under-utilised resources in New Zealand.
"The only reason we are coping with the influx of tourism is through New Zealanders opening their homes."
Airbnb is well thought out operating with the flexibility to suit each host's needs. "You can really set it up to work for your own life and your own availability."
■Deborah Foster joined Airbnb as a host two months ago. Since joining, her private room on Durie Hill has been rented five times.
"My first guests turned up unexpectedly on Christmas Eve. I didn't realise I had my listing set to 'instant booking' ... I get this text notifying me of their arrival and I thought I have to go with it - they really enjoyed it and so did I," she said.
"I had one German couple who were booked to stay one night but felt comfortable in my home environment so stayed longer."
She says it's not until you start talking to foreigners that you find yourself raving about how great New Zealand is.
"We sometimes don't realise how lucky we are living in a country with so much beauty to offer.
"I took one couple I had staying with me to Kai Iwi and they had never seen black sand before - they were stunned."
Listings in Whanganui seem to range from $35 to $200 per night. An average listing for a private room is around $105.
