The Gulf region comprising the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman—has emerged as a booming hub for digital innovation. With the rise of tourism, business travel, and an increasingly tech-savvy population, the opportunity to build a region-specific alternative to Airbnb has never been greater.

But where do you start?

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essentials: from key features your Airbnb-style mobile app must have, to cost breakdowns, development strategies, and regional considerations. Whether you’re a startup founder or a real estate investor looking to digitize your operations, this article is your blueprint.

And if you're looking for a reliable partner to build your app, Hyena Information Technologies stands out as a top mobile app development company with strong expertise across the Middle East, USA, UK, India, and beyond.

Why Build an Airbnb-style App for the Gulf?

The sharing economy is growing exponentially in the Middle East. According to Statista, vacation rentals in the GCC are projected to reach $2.9 billion in revenue by 2026. However, the market is still relatively untapped compared to the West. An app tailored to the unique needs and cultural dynamics of the Gulf can give you a powerful first-mover advantage.

Challenges like language diversity, religious customs, and local regulations require a localized approach—something that global players don’t always address effectively.

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Key Features of an Airbnb-like Mobile App

Before diving into development costs and technologies, let’s understand what your app should include. These features are crucial for any successful vacation rental platform.

1. Property Listings

Allow hosts to add properties with:

• Photos & videos

• Room descriptions

• Pricing per night/week/month

• Amenities (Wi-Fi, parking, etc.)

• Location map integration (e.g., Google Maps or Mapbox)

Bonus Tip: Include options for Arabic/English language listings.

2. Booking Management

Users should be able to:

• Book in real-time or submit a reservation request

• View their booking calendar

• Cancel or modify bookings

• Get instant notifications

A calendar sync with iCal or Google Calendar is useful for hosts managing multiple platforms.

3. Secure User Authentication

User safety is non-negotiable. Include:

• Email or phone number verification

• Social login (Google, Apple ID, Facebook)

• Two-factor authentication (2FA)

Consider facial recognition logins to enhance user convenience and security.

4. Payment Integration

A critical feature. Your app should support:

• Local payment gateways (like PayFort, STC Pay, or Sadad)

• Credit/debit card payments

• International gateways (PayPal, Stripe)

• Multi-currency support, especially USD, AED, and SAR

Hyena’s team often integrates AI for network security and monitoring to ensure financial transactions are encrypted and safe.

5. Smart Search and Filters

Let users refine results by:

• City/area

• Type of property (villa, apartment, private room)

• Amenities

• Price range

• Ratings

• Distance from landmarks

Use AI-powered search to deliver more relevant results.

6. Reviews and Ratings

Build user trust with:

• Guest reviews of hosts

• Host reviews of guests

• Star ratings

• Photo uploads in reviews

This feedback loop helps maintain quality control and transparency.

7. In-App Messaging

Enable secure, real-time communication between guests and hosts. Use AI-powered bots to handle FAQs, automate replies, or help with translations.

8. Language and Cultural Adaptation

To appeal to users in the Gulf:

• Offer Arabic, English, Urdu, and Hindi interface support

• Use culturally appropriate UI elements and copy

• Include prayer room/halal options as amenities

How Much Does It Cost to Build an Airbnb App?

Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect depending on your app’s scope.

Cost Factors Include:

• Platforms (iOS, Android, Web)

• UI/UX design complexity

• Third-party services (APIs, payment gateways)

• Backend infrastructure

• Developer location

Hyena Information Technologies offers cost-effective, scalable solutions and can develop your app across Android, iOS, and cross-platform with Flutter or React Native.

How to Develop an App Like Airbnb

Here’s a 6-step roadmap to follow:

Step 1: Market Research

Understand your target users—travelers, digital nomads, locals. Study competitors and conduct surveys. Know the hospitality regulations in the GCC countries.

Step 2: Define Your MVP

Start small. Focus on:

• Host registration

• Property listing

• Booking engine

• Payments

• Basic reviews

Test your product before adding premium features.

Step 3: Design User Experience

A sleek, intuitive UI can make or break your app. Use Figma or Adobe XD for prototyping. Pay special attention to:

• Right-to-left (RTL) language support

• Minimalist design for easy navigation

Hyena’s in-house designers follow best-in-class UX practices tailored for global and Gulf-based audiences.

Step 4: Choose the Right Tech Stack

Add AI modules for dynamic pricing, fraud detection, and facial recognition attendance systems.

Step 5: Development & QA

Break your project into agile sprints. Include QA testing (manual and automated). Focus on:

• Performance under load

• Device compatibility

• Security audits

Hyena's QA engineers rigorously test across platforms to ensure bug-free deployment.

Step 6: Launch and Iterate

Once your app is live:

• Gather user feedback

• Monitor user behavior with tools like Mixpanel or Firebase Analytics

• Update features based on reviews and business needs

What Programming Languages Does Airbnb Use?

Originally, Airbnb used:

• Frontend: JavaScript (React), HTML/CSS

• Mobile: React Native (cross-platform)

• Backend: Ruby on Rails, Java

• Database: PostgreSQL, Redis

You don’t need to copy their tech stack 1:1, but using proven technologies like React Native, Django, or Node.js will help you scale.

What is API Software for Airbnb?

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) help your app communicate with other platforms. Examples include:

• Google Maps API: Property location display

• Stripe API: Payments

• Twilio API: SMS verification

• AI/ML APIs: Personalized recommendations, facial recognition

• Calendar API: Sync bookings with iCal or Google Calendar

Hyena Information Technologies provides API integration expertise to ensure smooth interoperability with third-party systems.

How Much Does It Cost to Run an App Like Airbnb?

Post-launch, you’ll incur the following recurring costs:

Total estimated monthly cost: $3,000 to $10,000+

How to Calculate Airbnb App Development Cost?

To calculate the Airbnb App Development Cost, use this simple formula:

Development Time (hrs) × Hourly Rate = Total Cost

Example:

• MVP features take ~800 hrs

• Hourly rate = $50 (avg. global dev rate)

👉 800 × 50 = $40,000

For exact quotes, reach out to Hyena Information Technologies for a personalized consultation. They offer flexible engagement models, from fixed-price to dedicated teams.

Why Choose Hyena Information Technologies?

Hyena Information Technologies is one of the best mobile app development companies in UAE with a strong presence in:

✅ Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)
✅ USA & UK
✅ India & APAC
✅ Global delivery with offshore & onshore models

What sets Hyena apart?

• 10+ years of experience in building on-demand and marketplace apps

• Expertise in AI, facial recognition, and secure payment integration

• Multilingual development team for global rollouts

• Dedicated project managers to ensure quality and delivery

Whether you need a full-fledged Airbnb alternative or a custom niche platform (like luxury villa rentals or cultural homestays), Hyena can turn your vision into a scalable app.

Final Thoughts

Building an Airbnb-like mobile app tailored to the Gulf region is a promising venture, but it requires careful execution—from understanding cultural sensitivities to selecting the right technology stack and ensuring secure, scalable infrastructure.

Focus on delivering a seamless user experience, trust-building features, and regional compliance—and partner with an experienced development company like Hyena Information Technologies to bring your idea to life.

Ready to launch your Airbnb-style app?

📞 Contact Hyena Information Technologies today to book a free consultation and get your customized project quote.