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Airbnb signed its first global hotel technology deal with SiteMinder, a provider of one of the top channel managers in the industry. The partnership will give traditional hospitality businesses – specifically small, boutique hotels and B&Bs — access to SiteMinder’s cloud platform to connect more easily with Airbnb’s customer base. Many small properties already use Airbnb, but the two companies have jointly developed new technology to streamline the process, enabling them to quickly list rooms on the platform and connect booking information to their existing property management systems in real time. The program is open to properties that use SiteMinder and that meet Airbnb’s hospitality standards. Airbnb is looking for boutique hotels and B&Bs that offer the “locally influenced and unique accommodations” that the Airbnb community has come to expect. They should be able to provide a unique guest experience, with guest rooms with personal touches and locally relevant or unique amenities. Knowledgeable owner or hosts must be available on the property full-time. Once approved, the connection will generally be available in March. SiteMinder, based in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Dallas, London, Cape Town and Bangkok, also offers an internet booking engine, market intelligence tools, GDS connectivity and other technology. It claims more than 28,000 clients. Airbnb has been focused on expanding both its customer base and its inventory, and its ambitions to become “a platform for the entire trip”has some observers speculating as to when, not if, it will morph into a full-service online travel agent. It also is adding new concepts to the mix, such as its plan to build several “homesharing communities” in the Southeastern US. Lately it has homed in on making it easier for the two sides to work with each other. In November, it began allowing groups of families or friends to split payment among themselves. In January, it launched “Pay Less Up Front,” which allows guests to pay a 50% deposit rather than the entire amount at booking. Read original article |
