He had a universal skill in the places he visited. Think like digital nomads. Also, not trying to diminish his efforts, but he visited Muslim places only (China had a muslim base at the time).
The article explains that he would work as a judge (qadi) in the places he visited. He also benefited from the generosity of his guests.
> Turns out mainly because he was a scholar of fiqh and was therefore in considerable demand wherever he went. Ibn Battuta has stayed to work as a Qadi in several places along the way; this means that you really get a broad sense of the politics and the people in each destination.
> Other than that, it is likely because the Muslim faith inspired people to give money and gifts to travelers. And because Ibn Battuta was a student and eventually a famed traveler, he received many gifts and honors.
With regards to the latter, the mandatory Muslim wealth tax (zakat) names stranded or poor travellers "in pursuit of a worthy goal" as one of the eight categories of people it can be distributed to.