Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/tag/airbnb/ Informing, connecting and developing the world’s travel industry professionals. Wed, 15 Nov 2023 21:16:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Airbnb acquires AI stealth company, GamePlanner.AI https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-acquires-ai-stealth-company-gameplanner-ai/ Thu, 16 Nov 2023 22:00:06 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=854011 The post Airbnb acquires AI stealth company, GamePlanner.AI appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

“What makes GamePlanner.AI so special is that they combine expertise in AI, design, and community,” said Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky. “AI will rapidly alter our world more than any other technology in our lifetime, but we need to ensure that it augments humanity in a positive way. Airbnb is one of the more humanistic companies […]

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“What makes GamePlanner.AI so special is that they combine expertise in AI, design, and community,” said Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky. “AI will rapidly alter our world more than any other technology in our lifetime, but we need to ensure that it augments humanity in a positive way. Airbnb is one of the more humanistic companies in technology, and I believe that, together with Adam and his team, we can develop some of the best interfaces and practical applications for AI.”

While Airbnb is already using AI across our service, including large language models, computer vision models and machine learning—and most recently, an AI-powered Photo Tour tool launched in our 2023 Winter Release—Adam and Siamak’s team will focus on accelerating select AI projects and integrating their tools into our platform.

Adam co-founded Siri, which was acquired by Apple, and then led server side engineering and AI for Siri, while working alongside Steve Jobs. He later co-founded Viv Labs, which was acquired by Samsung and is now known as the company’s voice assistant Bixby. Adam was also on the founding team of Change.org, the world’s largest petition platform. Alongside Adam, Siamak led the natural language processing team for Siri at Apple and led the largest engineering team for Viv Labs at Samsung.

“A big part of what attracted us to Airbnb was our shared commitment to using AI to enable human connection,” said Adam Cheyer, co-founder and CEO of GamePlanner.AI. “Like Brian, I believe that without great design and community-based intelligence, AI can only achieve a fraction of its potential. But with them, the sky’s the limit. The Airbnb team understands this better than anyone.”

About Airbnb 

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

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Breezeway becomes official Airbnb partner https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/breezeway-becomes-official-airbnb-partner/ Fri, 08 Sep 2023 02:15:23 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=844362 The post Breezeway becomes official Airbnb partner appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Breezeway has become an official Airbnb Software Partner, the integration leverages multiple data connections to bring automation and operational insights to hosts and property managers.

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Breezeway has become an official Airbnb Software Partner, the integration leverages multiple data connections to bring automation and operational insights to hosts and property managers. By integrating with Airbnb, hosts and property managers can use Breezeway to coordinate their entire operations, including scheduling cleaning and property preparation, using smart checklists and automated messaging and workflows to drive a predictable guest experience.

Using Airbnb’s reviews API, Breezeway also enables hosts and property managers to connect Airbnb guest reviews with individual tasks and specific property workflows, providing invaluable insights from review data to identify homes, cleaning processes, or other workflows that may benefit from additional management and support. This means hosts and property managers, including the thousands of Breezeway clients that also use a third-party property management system, can see what is working well and quickly implement improvements to the guest experience to address operational gaps, resulting in higher quality stays.

The partnership makes it easier for hosts and property managers to prepare, communicate, and service guests. With fully-integrated messaging between Breezeway and Airbnb, hosts and property managers can now view and respond to Airbnb message threads within the Breezeway platform, using detailed property information to respond to guest questions and automatically update guests when a home is ready for check-in or update the status of open service requests. Breezeway Guide, a personalized digital welcome book, and Breezeway Assist, a 24-hour call-service supplemented with Breezeway’s AI-driven engine, are also connected through the Airbnb integration.

Jeremy Gall, CEO and Founder of Breezeway, said: “We’re excited to become an official Airbnb Software Partner. We share a commitment to helping hosts and property managers create consistent hospitality experiences at unique and authentic homes.

From cleaning and quality assurance to supply restocking, linens, routine maintenance, upkeep, property safety, and helping the guest enjoy all the amenities of the home, there is a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes to create a great guest experience. Breezeway automates these workflows and reduces errors, to help hosts and property managers meet guest expectations every single time.

Building Airbnb review insights into Breezeway gives property managers and hosts invaluable data that ties their property preparation tasks and activities directly to guest reviews. This is another way innovative technology is helping drive operational excellence and deliver better guest experiences, leading to higher ratings and more bookings. ”

Breezeway, a platform for managing all the work of maintaining and cleaning short-term rental homes, has helped thousands of hosts and property managers deliver the highest quality hospitality experiences for millions of guests – across more than 250,000 homes in 80 countries.

 

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Airbnb sees strong travel interest to the Philippines among SEA travelers https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-sees-strong-travel-interest-to-the-philippines-among-sea-travelers/ Sun, 27 Aug 2023 22:00:01 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=842972 The post Airbnb sees strong travel interest to the Philippines among SEA travelers appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Latest data from Airbnb reveals that Airbnb Hosts and guests are emerging as key drivers of economic activity in destinations and communities across the Philippines. While the pandemic had caused unprecedented disruption to global tourism and international visitor numbers to plummet by more than 70 percent, Airbnb is seeing a strong rebound in both international […]

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Latest data from Airbnb reveals that Airbnb Hosts and guests are emerging as key drivers of economic activity in destinations and communities across the Philippines.

While the pandemic had caused unprecedented disruption to global tourism and international visitor numbers to plummet by more than 70 percent, Airbnb is seeing a strong rebound in both international and domestic guest arrivals across the Southeast Asian region, including the Philippines.

Chinese travellers keen to visit the Philippines

Since the reopening of cross-border travel in China, Chinese travellers are increasingly expressing interest in visiting a wider variety of destinations. The Philippines have recorded more than 10x increases in guest searches among Chinese travellers on Airbnb year-on-year.

Domestic tourism continues to grow across the region

As international travel continues to rebound across Southeast Asia, domestic travel remains extremely popular amongst local travellers. In the Philippines, nights booked on Airbnb more than doubled last year from 2020 and domestic travel continued to lead the way as the Philippines ranked as the #1 travel destination among locals in 2022.

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said: “Domestic tourism has proved to be resilient in times of crisis and an option of a more immediate and positive economic impact to local economies. A weekend trip to a near destination to home is not only easier to plan, but also much more affordable. Airbnb has proven to be an option that can help support domestic tourism, by providing a greater variety of affordable accommodation in new destinations. Guests now have the ability to travel to many more places by using Airbnb.”

Spreading tourism to more new towns and cities

In 2022, Airbnb guests stayed in over 100,000 different cities and towns globally. The top 10 most-visited destinations on Airbnb accounted for around 7 percent of all trips, compared to 10 percent in 2019. The number of communities globally where guests stayed increased by over 25 percent in 2022 compared with five years ago, spreading tourism to new and different destinations.

Since March 2020, more than 13,000 towns and cities globally received their first booking on Airbnb. In the Philippines, more than 900 new towns and cities have their first booking on Airbnb during this period.

New Airbnb data shows that guests booking stays using Airbnb’s flexible search features are significantly less likely to stay in the most popular destinations on Airbnb, compared to those booking via traditional search – around 1 in 20 stays on Airbnb are booked using flexible search features. Globally, flexible bookers are approximately 23 percent less likely to stay in the top 20 destinations on Airbnb.

Bajaj added, “Distributed travel is affordable, boosts local economies and local jobs, and immerses people in these communities – whereas too much travel to popular places concentrates tourism economically and geographically. Across Southeast Asia, Airbnb is helping disperse guests, income and tourism benefits beyond the usual hotspots to new and trending destinations. We see the challenges posed by mass tourism around the world, and are investing in solutions to help, while helping guests discover new communities and generating new income streams for locals.”

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6 reasons to NOT use this viral TikTok AirBnB hack https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/6-reasons-to-not-use-this-viral-tiktok-airbnb-hack-1/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 22:45:55 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=841562 The post 6 reasons to NOT use this viral TikTok AirBnB hack appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

A recent video by TikTok user Anna (@annathingbutanimals) has been garnering attention for her travel hack, which she says has purportedly saved her thousands of dollars while travelling.  In her video, Anna reveals the hack where she saves Airbnb hosts’ numbers, contacts them directly for future stays, and negotiates lower prices, often paying in cash. This […]

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A recent video by TikTok user Anna (@annathingbutanimals) has been garnering attention for her travel hack, which she says has purportedly saved her thousands of dollars while travelling. 
In her video, Anna reveals the hack where she saves Airbnb hosts’ numbers, contacts them directly for future stays, and negotiates lower prices, often paying in cash. This strategy has allegedly saved her considerable money, but bypasses Airbnb’s platform and safeguards.
In a recent collaboration, Cottagely.co.uk and travel expert Joshua Rasia listed 6 reasons to NOT use this travel hack.
 
1. The Host Can Cancel Your Stay at the Last Minute

Without an official booking confirmation from Airbnb, there’s no guarantee the host will uphold their end of the deal. You could potentially find yourself without accommodation at the last minute if the host decides to rent to someone who books officially through Airbnb.

From Joshua’s point of view as a travel expert without a booking guarantee a lot of things can go wrong:

“You could either arrive there and not find your room as they might have booked someone else last minute who pays more than you to start with.”

“If you are lucky and find effectively the room available at the discounted price mentioned, let’s say unfortunately you get damages on any of the values you carry with you during the trip there’s nobody that is going to assist you with that as the booking wasn’t done through an official application but just via message. This would even lead to bigger problems for disputes over damages to the room as you don’t have any confirmation on that.”

2. You May Get Scammed

Paying the host directly, especially in cash, opens the door for potential scams. A host could take your money without providing the accommodation, and without Airbnb involved in the transaction, there would be no way to claim a refund.

Joshua commented: “Rarely as it can be, from my personal travel experience both in Europe and Asia, paying with cash can lead to some dodgy situations out there. Nobody can confirm to have received cash from for the accommodation, they can come in the middle of the night and pretend you leave the room while you don’t have anything to confirm that you paid for it.”

“If something doesn’t seem fine with your room there’s no chance to get your money back as Airbnb is not protecting a trip that wasn’t booked via the app and done directly from your message. In a few words, the saving that you might make isn’t worth the risks connected to it.”

3. You May Not Get Any Assistance During Your Stay

Airbnb offers AirCover for guests. If you’re unable to check-in, if your listing is significantly different than advertised, or if there’s a serious issue with your accommodation that your host can’t resolve, Airbnb will help.

They can assist you in finding a similar place at comparable pricing or give you a full or partial refund, depending on the circumstances. By booking directly with the host, you risk missing out on this essential safety net.

“I had a pigeon once entering through a broken window while traveling in Delhi. God knows what could have happened if I hadn’t stayed there with the host living below me, who changed the room immediately. But even other times, in Italy you can have issues with hot water and while in the summer it might not be a problem in the winter it is. If you stay with your host without a reservation he has no responsibilities nor he has to assist you with that”, Joshua said.

4. You May Get Your Account Suspended

Airbnb can suspend or delete accounts that violate their terms of service, including making deals outside their platform. Engaging in this travel hack might limit your future access to Airbnb properties worldwide.

“While it might not sound as serious as it is losing your account for breaching regulations can lead to a full suspension of your access to Airbnb which leads to a loss of your potential great deals within the app all around the world”, Joshua advices.

5. Your Personal Safety Might be Compromised

Airbnb implements safety measures like host background checks and property safety guidelines. If you choose to bypass Airbnb, you lose these safety assurances and potentially expose yourself to risk.

As a travel expert, Joshua has seen a lot of these things happening and hosts who aren’t reliable:

“Airbnb continuously checks the background of all of them, assisting in keeping a high level of safety for the guests staying at the accommodation. If you, however, book directly with a host, you don’t know what can happen as they might look to take advantage of you, organize a drink with a friend, and so on. It might be enjoyable but you don’t want to expose yourself to unnecessary risks while abroad.”

6. Potential of Legal Repercussions

In some jurisdictions, it might be illegal to rent properties outside of approved platforms. Engaging in such activities could potentially expose you to legal action.

Joshua commented: “As a Travel expert, I always remind travelers to not get involved in potential legal actions as they not only have their holidays but even their return home. These issues can lead to a lot of expenses and a few months of lawyers and stress. Do not take this for granted and be careful where you book your Airbnb, but most importantly, book it throughout the platform.”

In conclusion, while Anna’s TikTok travel hack may seem like a clever way to save money on travel, it’s essential to be aware of the risks. Using established platforms like Airbnb provides important protections for both guests and hosts, which can make your trip smoother and safer.

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Top 15 European destinations for most competitive Airbnb stays https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/top-15-european-destinations-for-most-competitive-airbnb-stays/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 01:05:58 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=839235 The post Top 15 European destinations for most competitive Airbnb stays appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Moneyzine  unveil the European cities where Airbnb accommodations offer superior value compared to hotels for summer vacations.

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Average hotel prices in Europe have risen above inflation this year, whilst airfares soar to a five-year high. With consumers becoming increasingly price-driven amid intense inflation, 80% of travellers have reportedly altered their plans for the summer.

In light of this, the financial experts at Moneyzine were keen to unveil the European cities where Airbnb accommodations offer superior value compared to hotels, in a bid to alleviate financial stress for summer vacationers.

To do this, the team scraped Airbnb.com and Trivago to retrieve the average cost per night for both Airbnbs and hotels across 35 European cities, and determined the European destinations where opting for an Airbnb is the more economical option.

Best value for money: Airbnb vs hotel

 

Rank City Country Average cost of a hotel ($ per night) Average cost of an Airbnb ($ per night) Price reduction
1 Istanbul Turkey 118.69 45.37 -61.77%
2 Athens Greece 138.05 69.67 -49.53%
3 Lisbon Portugal 210.30 107.51 -48.88%
4 Berlin Germany 236.10 126.44 -46.45%
5 Paris France 242.55 131.17 -45.92%
6 Barcelona Spain 220.62 123.64 -43.96%
7 Dubrovnik Croatia 188.36 108.59 -42.35%
8 Helsinki Finland 141.92 82.57 -41.82%
9 Chisinau Moldova 68.38 40.86 -40.25%
10 Kotor Montenegro 123.21 73.96 -39.97%
11 Luxembourg City Luxembourg 149.01 94.40 -36.65%
12 Budapest Hungary 127.73 81.28 -36.36%
13 Stockholm Sweden 127.73 82.57 -35.35%
14 Tallinn Estonia 86.44 58.70 -32.09%
15 Brussels Belgium 169.01 118.27 -30.02%

*Average rates are on a per-night basis for one adult

For the complete data of the 35 cities analysed, please click here.

Moneyzine can reveal that Istanbul, the former Turkish capital, is the European city where Airbnbs provide the best value-for-money compared to hotels. With an average nightly rate of $45.37, Airbnbs are 61.77% cheaper than hotels (av. $118.69), while boasting the second lowest prices of all cities analysed. Declared to be one of the world’s cheapest destinations, the exotic Mediterranean city is ideal for travellers on a budget.

In second place is Athens, with a staggering 49.53% price drop from a standard hotel room fare to an Airbnb. Price-conscious travellers would be better off booking an Airbnb ($69.67 per night) as it costs only half of the average hotel rate ($138.05 per night) in the historic Greek capital.

Coming a close third is Lisbon, with an Airbnb averaging around $107.51 per night compared to a standard hotel room priced at $210.30. Ranked 7th out of 100 cities in a recent study on the most popular summer destinations of 2023, travellers are assured that Airbnbs are more cost-effective in the Portuguese capital, with nightly rates being 48.88% lower than hotels.

Berlin and Paris follow in fourth and fifth place, respectively, with a significant difference in prices between Airbnbs and hotels. Opting for an Airbnb would save travellers on average a noteworthy $109.66 in the German capital and $111.38 in the City of Love.

On the other hand, Oslo in Norway and Tirana in Albania stand out as cities where a single hotel room for a one-night stay is around $8 cheaper, on average, than an Airbnb.

To prevent high costs from dampening summer travel plans, Jonathan Merry, CEO of Moneyzine, provided four money-saving tips for enthusiastic globetrotters:

  1. Plan ahead for meals

Food and drink expenses are often the biggest budget-busters when travelling. Curb your food spending by choosing accommodations with kitchen facilities or a refrigerator, and opt to eat out for lunch instead of dinner, as well as seek restaurants that offer happy hour deals!

  1. Maximise your travel credit card benefits

Sign up for travel rewards programmes and consider credit cards to earn points and miles which can be redeemed for flights, accommodation, and other travel-related expenses. Opt for credit cards that come with generous welcome bonuses and take advantage of various perks including free travel insurance, and discounts on attraction tickets.

  1. Look for vouchers and free activities

Trim travel costs by planning your activities around vouchers and discount deals or do a simple Google search to find free or low-cost events and activities at your destination. From the Louvre in Paris to the Vatican Museums in Rome, many offer free or discounted admission on certain days of the week, so make sure to plan and research in advance.

  1. Pack strategically

Keep your luggage lightweight to avoid check-in fees and opt for a carry-on only. Instead of folding, roll your clothes and wear your bulkiest garments to the airport. Don’t forget to check the airline’s luggage weight and dimension policies to avoid unexpected delays and fees!

 

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Solo travel and private room stays on Airbnb gain momentum in the Philippines https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/solo-travel-and-private-room-stays-on-airbnb-gain-momentum-in-the-philippines/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 22:15:32 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=837994 The post Solo travel and private room stays on Airbnb gain momentum in the Philippines appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

New Airbnb data reveals that Filipino travellers are increasingly going solo, as solo travel by Filipinos on the platform increased over 185% year-on-year in 2022 compared to 2021. Platform data also revealed that Airbnb nights booked in private room listings in the Philippines surged over 200% last year. At an average rate of approximately PHP 2,200 per […]

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New Airbnb data reveals that Filipino travellers are increasingly going solo, as solo travel by Filipinos on the platform increased over 185% year-on-year in 2022 compared to 2021.

Platform data also revealed that Airbnb nights booked in private room listings in the Philippines surged over 200% last year. At an average rate of approximately PHP 2,200 per night, private rooms on Airbnb are an increasingly popular option amongst solo travellers.

Hosting serves as an economic lifeline for many, with the typical private room Host earning more than ever. Last year, private room Hosts in the Philippines earned over PHP 540 Million.

To support Airbnb’s growing community of solo travellers, Airbnb has expanded its dedicated Solo Traveller Safety feature to over 50 languages, including Tagalog. This allows solo travellers to access expert tips, share their reservation itinerary with loved ones, and add an emergency contact to their profile.

From charming nature-inspired huts near renowned beaches to breathtaking domes with rooftop vistas, here is a selection of value-for-money private rooms on Airbnb that offer solo travellers an affordable and authentic way to explore a destination.

Embrace nature in the surfing capital

If you want to indulge in a solo tropical adventure, check out this room in a cottage in Siargao. It’s a haven for beach lovers and surf enthusiasts, and located just a stroll away from the famous beaches, cafes, and surfing spots in the area. The bonus: your Airbnb Host is committed to ensuring the stay is eco-friendly, so be sure to separate your trash and refill your own water bottles on site!

Stay in the heart of Cebu City

Immerse yourself in the captivating ambiance of the Queen City of the South while enjoying the comfort of this delightful Airbnb room. Situated in close proximity to vibrant lifestyle districts, trendy restaurants, and charming cafes, you’ll have everything within reach to make the most of your stay. What makes this experience even more special is your Airbnb Host, who is an avid scuba diver. Take advantage of her vast knowledge and expertise to uncover the hidden gems of Cebu’s diving scene.

Attic living in Iloilo

Relive the nostalgia of a classic Western movie as you claim your own attic room in this charming Iloilo home. While the entire house is a shared space, you’ll enjoy the attic’s ambiance and aesthetics. During your stay, make sure to indulge in Ilonggo delicacies, local art museums, and historic churches.

Keep it cool and tropical in Bohol

Immerse yourself in nipa hut-style living on Panglao Island in Bohol. This Airbnb Stay embraces the tropical paradise that surrounds it and boasts a prime location just minutes away from three famous beaches: Alona Beach, Dumaluan Beach, and Amarele Beach. Enjoy an unforgettable solo getaway, where you can disconnect from the hustle and bustle of city life and spend your days fully embracing the island’s serene beaches.

Cozy up in the mountains of Baguio

Savour the cool breeze of Baguio while enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee or hot cocoa, in this charming boutique homestay in the mountains. The charming interiors, coupled with the breathtaking view of the summer capital, set the perfect scene for a weekend getaway. This is a great budget-friendly stay for travellers looking to explore Baguio’s popular spots, while also offering a cosy retreat.

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Never stop innovating… and learn to listen: Amir Segall https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/never-stop-innovating-and-learn-to-listen-amir-segall/ Tue, 13 Jun 2023 03:15:45 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=823124 The post Never stop innovating… and learn to listen: Amir Segall appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Ahead of speaking at the Phocuswright Europe event in Barcelona from 12 to 14 June Airbnb’s Director of Commercial, Amir Segall, has emphasized the importance for travel technology companies to “never stop innovating to meet demand, and to learn to listen openly to customer feedback

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Ahead of speaking at the Phocuswright Europe event in Barcelona from 12 to 14 June Airbnb’s Director of Commercial, Amir Segall, has emphasized the importance for travel technology companies to “never stop innovating to meet demand, and to learn to listen openly to customer feedback and use it to inform bold new ideas” in order to keep ahead in the ever more competitive online travel space. 

With the company recently confirming  it expects around 300 million guest arrivals this year, Segall revealed  that continual innovation is the only way to respond to such demands and meet customer expectations: “Innovation has been part Airbnb’s DNA from the very beginning, and you’re continuing to see that across the more than 340 upgrades and innovations we’ve introduced over the last two years. With Airbnb Rooms, we’re going back to our roots and introducing updates that provide guests with even more affordable, and authentic stays in places all over the world.”

During his on stage interview at the Phocuswright Europe event Segall will explain more about how Airbnb recently launched over 50 new features and upgrades that address top feedback from guests and Hosts across the end-to-end Airbnb experience, including functionalities such as total price display, transparent checkout instructions, improved maps, redesigned wishlists, and more.

Emphasizing the needs for continual customer feedback, Segall points to the Twitter request for feedback by Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky a few weeks ago: “Asking and listening to feedback from our Hosts and guests has never been more important, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. What better way to gain immediate, uncensored, raw feedback than to ask your community on Twitter? It’s fantastic that Brian has embraced the opportunity, and that as a business, we’re open enough to listen and to learn.”

Amir Segall and dozens of other industry leaders – including the CEOs of Viator, Amadeus and TUI Musement – will speak at the Phocuswright Europe event taking place in Barcelona between June 12 and June 14, where the theme this year will be ‘Travellers, Titans and Trailblazers’.

 

 

 

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Top 10 affordable and must visit Airbnb’s in the US  https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/top-10-affordable-and-must-visit-airbnbs-in-the-us/ Tue, 25 Apr 2023 01:00:47 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=788665 The post Top 10 affordable and must visit Airbnb’s in the US  appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

A new study shows a ranking of ten of the most affordable Airbnb’s in the US that also have the wow factor people are looking for.

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A new study shows a ranking of ten of the most affordable Airbnb’s in the US that also have the wow factor people are looking for. The study conducted by online casino site BetMGM analyzed Airbnb data to reveal the most affordable ‘wow’ factor Airbnb’s across the US.

Coming in at number one for the most affordable and unique stay is ‘The Baying Hound Campground’ in Asheville, North Carolina. The hosts have a range of stays on Airbnb, but their cheapest offering is the Trippy Tortoise Shell-ter, at USD25 dollars a night and a 4.90-star review, it includes a part truck cab and turtle-inspired permanent campervan/tent which is decorated by professional artists.

Landing in the second spot is ‘The Chicken Coop, Grain Bin’ in Blanchard, Oklahoma at USD49 a night and a 5.0-star rating. The private room on a farm is a repurposed grain bin surrounded by cows, guineas, chickens, and a peacock.

“The Retreat” in Pulaski, New York comes in third place priced at USD60 a night and a 4.99 rating. The host describes it as ‘A private room in a unique home, impeccably maintained, and located along a peaceful rural road.’ It includes a ten-minute journey to get to the Salmon River for a fishing spot and is close by to the S52 Pulaski/Boylston snowmobile trail.

Joint fourth on the list is the ‘Yome Away from Home’ in Weaverville, North Carolina, costing USD62 and has a 4.88-star review. The yurt comes with a queen mattress, mini kitchen, dining area and has a propane heater provided during the month from October to March. In joint position is the ‘Beautiful getaway in a gorgeous & peaceful yurt!’ based in Spokane, Washington which has a 4.89-star review. It is surrounded by 500-acre nature preserve with a pond, wildlife, and trails and within it has a heated floor and a fully stocked commercial kitchen.

The ‘Underground Hobbit Hole @ Sustainable Ecovillage’ in Del Norte County, California places in the fifth spot at USD64 a night and a 4.55-star rating. The Hobbit hole in an off-grid village is built into the side of a mountain and surrounded by 60 acres of natural wilderness in Norther Californias Smith River canyon.

In the sixth spot is the ‘Retromania!’ Airbnb which is in Houston, Texas with a rating of 4.50 stars and costs USD66 a night. The host describes it as a unique and interactive home, that welcomes photoshoots and a creative artsy interior.

Ranking in seventh place is the ‘Chalets by the Lake – #6’ in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, costing USD69 dollars and a 4.97 rating overall. The newly renovated chalet is located on 11+ acres and within minutes of Conneaut Lake, Firemans Beach, and Icehouse Park.

At USD73 a night ‘The silo at Sun One Organic Farm’ in Bethlehem, Connecticut comes in eighth place. The converted silo from the 1940s has a 30-foot ceiling and a bathroom building designed by one of the leading green building designers in the country. It has generated a rating of 4.79 and its hosts describe it as one of the most unique Airbnb’s in the northeast.

Coming in at joint number nine are four AirbnbBs all costing USD75 a night. These include the ‘Cozy-Warm-Adorable Hobbit House’ in Bainbridge Island, Washington, the ‘Stargazing Hut – Mossy Forest Glamping’ in Newport, Tennessee, ‘The Bunkhouse at Love’s Hideaway’ in Lagro, Indiana and ‘The Silo – unique guest room’ in Collbran, Colorado.

Finally, in tenth spot is two joint Airbnb’s for USD79, one a ‘Luxury Jail Suite’ located in Pearland, Texas, with a 4.88 rating and ‘Opalito Train Car Apartment’ located in Edinburg, Texas, with a rating of 4.95.

The research highlights places where people can have a unique ‘wow’ factor experience at an affordable price and therefore, achieve the best of both worlds. The study shows a wide range of Airbnb’s in destinations across the country which means there is an impressive variety of affordable Airbnb’s that can cater to different travel needs across the US.

Wow factor Airbnb’s ranked by price per night

 

 

 

 

 

 

Airbnb

 

 

 

 

Location

 

 

 

 

Rating

 

 

 

 

USP

 

 

 

 

Price per night

 

 

 

 

Trippy Tortoise Shell-ter @Baying Hound Campground

 

 

Asheville, North Carolina

 

 

4.9

 

 

Part truck cab, part perma-tent, turte inspired, see sleeping pods decorated by professional artists

 

 

$32.00

 

 

 

 

The Chicken Coop – Grain Bin – Rustic Farm Stay

 

 

Blanchard, Oklahoma

 

 

5

 

 

Repurposed grain bin with cows, guineas, chickens and a peacock

 

 

$49.00

 

 

 

 

The Retreat very near fishing/snowmobiling

 

 

Pulaski, New York

 

 

4.99

 

 

A private room in a unique home, 10 minutes to Salmon River

 

 

$60.00

 

 

 

 

Yome Away from Home

 

 

Weaverville, North Carolina

 

 

4.88

 

 

Glamping yurt/geodesic dome hybrid

 

 

$62.00

 

 

 

 

Beautiful getaway in a gorgeous & peaceful yurt!

 

 

Spokane, Washington

 

 

4.89

 

 

Yurt in a peaceful setting near a 500-acre nature preserve with a pond & lots of wildlife & trails

 

 

$62.00

 

 

 

 

Underground Hobbit Hole @ Sustainable Ecovillage

 

 

Del Norte County, California

 

 

4.55

 

 

Hobbit hole in a sustainable, off-grid village

 

 

$64.00

 

 

 

 

Retromania! **A Unique INTERACTIVE Experience**

 

 

Houston, Texas

 

 

4.55

 

 

Unique interactive home, creative artsy interior

 

 

$66.00

 

 

 

 

*NEW Chalets by the Lake – #6 – Conneaut Lake, PA

 

 

Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania

 

 

4.97

 

 

Newly renovated chalet nestled on 11+ acres within minutes of Conneaut Lake

 

 

$69.00

 

 

 

 

The silo at Sun One Organic Farm

 

 

Bethlehem, Connecticut

 

 

4.79

 

 

Converted a silo from the 1940s

 

 

$73.00

 

 

 

 

Cozy-Warm-Adorable Hobbit House -Bainbridge Island

 

 

Bainbridge Island, Washington

 

 

4.95

 

 

One room Hobbit Hole

 

 

$75.00

 

 

 

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Top 10 Global Bleisure Cities https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/top-10-global-bleisure-cities/ Mon, 13 Feb 2023 09:58:17 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=771426 The post Top 10 Global Bleisure Cities appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Analysis by Carl Friedrik, has revealed the best luxury bleisure cities in the world for those looking to make the most of business leisure working in style.

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The post Top 10 Global Bleisure Cities appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Analysis by Carl Friedrik, has revealed the best luxury bleisure cities in the world for those looking to make the most of business leisure working in style. Using data from Airbnb, TripAdvisor and other sources Carl Friedrik has put together a guide to the best luxury bleisure destinations in the world. Bleisure is a portmanteau of business and leisure.

Key Findings

Lisbon is the best luxury bleisure city scoring the highest score of 1,078 out of 2,150 in the index, great news for those applying for Portugal’s new Digital Nomad Visa.Rome provides the best luxury accommodation for bleisure breaks with 329 Airbnb Plus listings and over 1,000 Airbnb listings available.

Barcelona is the best city for coworking spaces with 93.86% of coworking options rated 4*+. Rome is the top city for gastronomic delights with 99.5% of 11,306 eateries being rated 4*+. Those seeking a relaxing spa experience should head to Phuket with 84.88% of their 496 spa and wellness centres rated 4*+. Krakow is the best city to visit for landmarks and viewpoints with 87.31% of 268 attractions analysed rated 4*+.

10 Best Luxury Bleisure Cities in the World
To create the index on the best luxury leisure destinations the study on behalf of Carl Friedrik analysed:

  • The cities with the most luxury accommodation available
  • The cities with the most highly rated coworking spaces
  • The average rating for the different types of activities in each city
  • The average WiFi quality in each city
  • The Safety Index Score for each city

Using the data collected on accommodation, coworking, restaurants, spas and wellness centres, landmarks and viewpoints, WiFi and safety from the 100 most visited cities in the world, points were allocated to each city to determine which ones ranked best overall. Here is the top 10 list of the best luxury bleisure cities in the world.

The top destination for luxury bleisure was Portugal’s capital and largest city, Lisbon, scoring 1,077.5 points out of a possible 2,150. This is fantastic news for those keen to work remotely as the Portuguese government has recently announced a scheme that will let freelancers and remote workers live in the country for up to 12 months.

In fact, five of the top 10 bleisure cities currently offer digital nomad visas and residency to those looking to extend their trip. Portugal, Spain, Australia and the United Arab Emirates all provide this, with Italy looking to follow suit soon.

In second place is London, England with 982.2 points, followed by Rome, Italy in third place with 982.

Top 10 luxury bleisure cities
Rank City Score out of 2150 (rounded)
1 Lisbon, Portugal 1,077.5
2 London, England 982.2
3 Rome, Italy 982.0
4 Barcelona, Spain 933.7
5 Nice, France 916.2
6 Melbourne, Australia 892.9
7 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 885.1
8 Warsaw, Poland 880.3
9 Paris, France 855.9
10 Porto, Portugal 845.8

 

Top Cities for Luxury Accommodation
Rome, Italy came in the top position with the full 250 points. The study found that the average cost of an Airbnb Plus listing with WiFi is $226 (£195) and the average Airbnb listing with WiFi is $159 (£137).

Cape Town, South Africa ranked in 2nd place with 245.3 points, followed by Lisbon, Portugal with 240.9 points.

Best Coworking Cities
Barcelona, Spain topped the list with 350.9 points out of 550. The analysis found that 93.86% of the cities coworking spaces were rated 4*+. Warsaw, Poland ranked in 2nd place with 334.1 points, followed by London, England with 320.3 points.

Cities with the Best Restaurants
Rome, Italy came top of the list with an estimated 11,306 restaurants, and average rating of 4.06 and 99.5% of eateries being rated 4*+. This resulted in a score of 185.2 out of 350. In second place is Melbourne, Australia with 168.7 points, followed by Playa Del Carmen, Mexico in third with 167.6.

Top Spa Cities in the World
Famous for its beautiful beaches, Phuket, Thailand topped the list for travellers looking to make time for restorative activities on their next bleisure break. With an estimated 496 spas and wellness centres the study found that the average rating was 4.65, with 84.88% of the total number of spas rated 4*+ — giving the city a score of 250.4 out of 350.

Cancún, Mexico came in 2nd place with 223.5 points, followed by Chiang Mai, Thailand in third with 194.3.

Best Cities for Landmarks and Viewpoints
Kraków, Poland took the top spot as the city with the best landmarks and viewpoints. With an estimated 268 landmarks, and an average rating of 4.49 the analysis found that 87.31% of landmarks in the city were rated 4*+ on TripAdvisor resulting in a score of 216.7 out of 350.

Edinburgh, Scotland came in 2nd place with 200.7 points and Lisbon, Portugal followed in 3rd with 196.3.

Top Cities For Strong WiFi
Riyadh, the capital and largest city in Saudi Arabia, was revealed as the best place for bleisure workers to visit with WiFi connection ranking first across the locations assessed, scoring the full 200 points. Riyadh was shown to have an average WiFi speed of 137.5Mbps and excellent WiFi quality.

Dubai, UAE took 2nd place with 195.4 points, followed in third place by Copenhagen, Denmark with 190.09.

The Safest Cities To Visit
Sapporo, Japan took the top spot with the full 100 points for the Safety Index score of 92. Singapore, Singapore and Hurghada, Egypt came in joint 2nd place with 95.4 points, followed by Vienna, Austria in 4th place with 86.7.

 

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Nice,Lifestyla,For,Beautiful,Caucasian,Woman,Working,In,Alternative,Office
Pinpointing travel trends with Linktree https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/pinpointing-travel-trends-with-linktree/ Mon, 12 Dec 2022 02:35:11 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=753797 The post Pinpointing travel trends with Linktree appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Key travel and hospitality trends have been highlighted with Linktree’s full Link-Back report.

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Key travel and hospitality trends have been highlighted with Linktree’s full Link-Back report. We bring you the latest travel trends from the same.

Airbnb ranks #1 in travel on Linktree
We took advantage of our newfound freedom and escaped our houses to … stay in someone else’s house. Jokes aside, lockdowns and curfews have increased our desire to see the world again with the number of travel-related links increasing by 55% in 2022. The most popular travel-related site linked across the board was Airbnb.

The topmost clicked travel domains in the UK are:

  • Airbnb
  • Trybooking
  • Bookings.com
  • Tripadvisor

Brits have an appetite for dining
We’re spending more time out enjoying what dining has to offer with popular dining booking site links increasing by 41%. Reservation dining sites such as OpenTable, Resy, and Seven Rooms saw a huge uptick in links and clicks.

The top five most clicked restaurants in the UK using booking links are:

  • NAC Mayfair
  • Kurisu Omakase
  • Zenn Liverpool
  • Kol Restaurant London
  • Ponsbourne

The revival of live entertainment
Whether it’s tickets to Taylor Swift or Phantom of the Opera before it leaves Broadway, the number of links to popular entertainment-related sites increased by a whopping 75%. With events opening back up as restrictions eased, we’re excited to see the entertainment sector flourish once again. We found that Eventbrite was the most popular site for entertainment, closely followed by Ticketmaster; so whether it’s the theatre, a festival, a concert or a movie night,  we simply can’t wait to get back out there and enjoy the arts.

Most popular entertainment domains:

  • Eventbrite
  • Ticketmaster
  • Moshtix
  • Livenation
  • Ticketek

 

 

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Airbnb launches GBP 1m Sustainable Hosting Plan https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-launches-gbp-1m-sustainable-hosting-plan/ Wed, 09 Nov 2022 22:51:41 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=741373 The post Airbnb launches GBP 1m Sustainable Hosting Plan appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has launched its Sustainable Hosting Plan, including a GBP1 million fund to support Hosts with energy efficiency improvements, cutting carbon emissions and making long-term savings on their bills to help with the rising cost of living. Home energy efficiency improvements and renovations – from fitting insulation to replacing an old boiler – can help […]

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Airbnb has launched its Sustainable Hosting Plan, including a GBP1 million fund to support Hosts with energy efficiency improvements, cutting carbon emissions and making long-term savings on their bills to help with the rising cost of living.

Home energy efficiency improvements and renovations – from fitting insulation to replacing an old boiler – can help save on bills and reduce carbon emissions but often come with daunting upfront costs.

Airbnb will work with Energy Saving Trust to provide a personalised home energy efficiency check and action plan for all Hosts including information about potential steps they can take to improve the efficiency of their home. Hosts interested in making improvements will be connected to local installers and receive a grant of £1,000, or £3,000 if they are a Superhost and apply before the 31st of January, towards their renovation bill.

The grants can be used on projects big and small. According to Energy Saving Trust, a £1,000 grant could cover around a quarter of the cost of a typical boiler replacement and a sixth of the cost of installing solar panels.

Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, said, “More than a third of Hosts across the UK say they host to afford the rising cost of living. In the face of rising energy bills, we want to support Hosts further by helping them with energy efficiency improvements and bringing their bills down in the long-term. Getting started with energy efficiency improvements can seem a challenge so our Sustainable Hosting Plan will provide Hosts with the backing to take the first step and make positive changes.”

Inga Jirgensone, Group Head of Business Development at Energy Saving Trust, said, “Improving the energy efficiency of our homes and switching to low carbon heating systems is the quickest way to reduce energy costs both now and for the long term. These steps are also crucial in reducing carbon emissions as the UK transitions to net zero. We know the value of tailored advice to help people approach retrofitting and to ensure the best outcome for investment. We look forward to working with Airbnb to help develop a more sustainable future for Hosts.”

Linda Ayanwale is a Superhost from London and plans to apply for the scheme. She said, “I bought my property with hosting in mind and share a space in the loft to help cover some of my mortgage repayments. My property is rated D for energy efficiency and is poorly insulated so there is space to make improvements. I want to add better insulation and plan to apply for the grant from Airbnb to help with the costs.”

The grant from Airbnb can be used alongside existing government schemes for energy generation and efficiency improvements to maximise returns.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government scheme to support households in England and Wales with £5,000 towards switching from their old gas boiler to a low carbon solution such as air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps, and £6,000 towards the cost of a biomass boiler.

Households that install electricity generation technologies such as solar PV panels can benefit from selling unused electricity back to the grid as part of the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. Whilst this wouldn’t support Hosts with the upfront costs, it can accelerate the time it takes to recoup the cost of installation.

Hosts that are keen to be a part of the Sustainable Hosting Plan can register their interest for a grant here. The scheme will be open to Hosts that are based in the UK and have had two or more stays over the past year.

The Sustainable Hosting Plan was also launched by Airbnb in France and is part of Airbnb’s global work to support Hosts and help make travel more sustainable.

Last year, Airbnb committed to a goal of operating as a net zero company by 2030—reducing our corporate greenhouse gas emissions in line with our science-based targets, and using high-quality, nature-based solutions to address residual emissions. In September, we shared our sustainability update setting out our progress and new steps we are taking to help reach our net zero goal.

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Aussies want to travel to Japan: Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/aussies-want-to-travel-to-japan-airbnb/ Thu, 27 Oct 2022 08:30:45 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=738830 The post Aussies want to travel to Japan: Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

As Japan has now reopened to the world for individual travel, more than half (56 percent) of Aussies are looking to travel to Japan when they are able, a new YouGov survey commissioned by Airbnb reveals.

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As Japan has now reopened to the world for individual travel, more than half (56 percent) of Aussies are looking to travel to Japan when they are able, a new YouGov survey commissioned by Airbnb reveals.  Of those, more than 60 percent of travellers are intending to visit major cities, more than 40 percent would like to visit destinations outside of the major cities and one in five are looking for a location with a unique accommodation experience.

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb country manager Australia and New Zealand said: “Australia has always enjoyed a strong connection with Japan and Aussies are incredibly excited to revisit their favourite Japanese destinations and explore new ones. Australians have always been enthusiastic travellers to Japan, enjoying the amazing skiing, food and culture that the country offers and have been eagerly awaiting this reopening, so it’s no surprise to see so many Australians eager to visit Japan once again.

“Frequent travellers to the country are now also able to discover hidden gems they’d previously missed thanks to Airbnb’s Categories feature. For those looking to step off the beaten path, the 56 categories available on Airbnb include farm stays, Ryokans, national parks, vineyards, cabins, tiny homes, earth homes and of course the more unique options including  yurts, caves, caravans, tree houses and many more.”

 

 

 

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OTAs raise concern with Penang Govt on short term rental plans https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/otas-raise-concern-with-penang-govt-on-short-term-rental-plans/ Tue, 11 Oct 2022 04:19:36 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=733759 The post OTAs raise concern with Penang Govt on short term rental plans appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The Asia Travel Technology Industry Association (ATTIA) and its members submitted recommendations to the Penang State Government (Local Government Division) recently, regarding the proposed Short-Term Rental Accommodation Guidelines for Strata Properties in Penang.

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The Asia Travel Technology Industry Association (ATTIA) and its members submitted recommendations to the Penang State Government (Local Government Division) recently, regarding the proposed Short-Term Rental Accommodation Guidelines for Strata Properties in Penang. This follows a consultation session between ATTIA and Penang officials on 15th September 2022, where we were invited to submit detailed recommendations.

With leading online travel platforms such as Airbnb, Agoda, Booking.com and Expedia among its members, ATTIA expressed deep concern over the proposed Guidelines, which would severely restrict the ability of short-term rental accommodation (STRA) hosts to accommodate guests in strata properties in Penang. At a time when Penang is trying to recover its valuable tourism industry, such policies would stifle tourist arrivals, and also send mixed signals about Penang’s commitment to attracting tourists and digital nomads.

ATTIA’s Main Recommendations
To ensure that the STRA sector is properly managed, ATTIA recommends that the Penang State Government adopt a robust regulatory approach, which will provide certainty to regulators, industry participants and local communities. Our main recommendations are:

  • (a) Allow building residents to decide if STRA should be banned: The current Guidelines would ban strata STRA unless JMB/MC approval is obtained. We argue that STRA should instead be allowed by default in both commercial and residential properties. Through a 75% vote, residents can already use the Strata Management Act 2013 to pass by-laws on whether STRA should be restricted in specific buildings based on local needs (e.g., set the maximum number of nights a guest can stay).
  • (b) Mandatory Code of Conduct: Instead of imposing strict restrictions on STRA in strata properties, introduce clear rules for hosts and guests with a Code of Conduct. This could set minimum standards for host and guest behavior to tackle noise and nuisance.
  • (c) Digital registration system for hosts: A centralized digital registration system could be introduced to make registration (and renewals) clear and simple for new hosts.

By following these best practices, Penang could offer a STRA system which is on par with international standards. This will make it even more attractive and competitive to tourists and digital nomads – especially when Malaysia is trying to attract such travelers (e.g., with the DE Rantau program).

ATTIA’s Alternative RecommendationsHowever, if the above recommendations are not possible, ATTIA at the very least asks that the Penang State Government consider these alternative recommendations:

  • (a) Not impose the 3-day a week limit for strata STRA: We especially oppose this arbitrary limit. Since STRA guests usually make longer bookings and spend more money within local communities, these limits would cause Penang to miss out on the digital nomad and sustainable travel wave. Moreover, it seems nearly impossible to properly enforce ‘night limits’, given the number of STRA transactions taking place.
  • (b) Allow STRA to operate by default: By imposing a blanket ban on strata STRA, this would only increase the administrative burden for hosts as well as local authorities. This is especially since the proposed processes include manual documentation, and would force hosts to endure lengthy JMB/MC voting and verification processes.
  • (c) Remove requirement which only allows Malaysian citizens to host: We believe that every homeowner has unique experiences to share with visitors to Penang. The requirement would exclude regular, tax-paying residents in Malaysia that are not citizens from sharing their homes. It would also be difficult to fully enforce this policy, as non-citizens or permanent residents could simply find a proxy to register on their behalf.

Ultimately, the majority of STRA hosts are individuals – not companies. These barriers would make it very difficult for genuine hosts to comply. Instead of shutting out tourism, it is better to address concerns such as noise and nuisance by working more closely with STRA platforms to tackle the root causes.

 

 

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WTTC hosts dialogue between private sector and the G20 Ministers https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/wttc-hosts-dialogue-between-private-sector-and-the-g20-ministers/ Wed, 28 Sep 2022 00:17:39 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=728829 The post WTTC hosts dialogue between private sector and the G20 Ministers appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The Travel & Tourism private sector was invited to the G20 Tourism Ministers’ meeting, when the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) addressed the Group of Twenty in Bali, Indonesia.

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The Travel & Tourism private sector was invited to the G20 Tourism Ministers’ meeting, when the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) addressed the Group of Twenty in Bali, Indonesia. During her speech at the critical meeting, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said that while Travel & Tourism is recovering following more than two years of pain, enhanced collaboration between the public and private sector is needed now more than ever if we are to achieve a full recovery and ensure a sustainable future.

Simpson told Ministers that Travel & Tourism is central to the world’s economic recovery as it is set to grow at double the speed of the global economy over the next 10 years. As the current holder of the G20 Presidency, Indonesia is focussing on the need to create a more inclusive and sustainable foundation for growth, carrying the theme “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”. The Tourism Ministers have focused the conversation on a “People-Centred recovery” that will benefit communities and SME’s. WTTC’s latest research shows that while COVID-19 had devastating effect on Travel & Tourism, the future looks bright with the creation of more than 126 million jobs globally over the next decade.

According to the research, two thirds of these jobs will be created in G20 countries, producing 82 million Travel & Tourism jobs by 2032. However, while travellers are beginning to discover the world once again and demand is on the rise, WTTC says challenges remain. During her address to G20 leaders, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Travel & Tourism is seeing green shoots of recovery. The world, with some exceptions, is travelling again. “However, the recovery could be hampered by economic headwinds. Rising energy prices, cost of living, labour shortages, airspace restrictions, and, of course, climate change, all threaten the full of recovery of our sector. “In order to unlock its full potential and achieve the long-awaited recovery, the public and private sector must join forces and collaborate more than ever.

This historic meeting gives us the best platform to establish public-private collaboration, which will help us build back a better, stronger, and more resilient Travel & Tourism sector. “Finance Ministers should take note that this is the sector that will turbo charge economies following the worst economic shock of the modern age, creating 126 million new jobs.” During the meeting, Ministers and business leaders discussed policies that have the support of the Travel & Tourism sector, and which practises have been the most effective in nurturing the workforce, protecting communities and the environment, and ultimately working towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

The Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Korea, United States, Canada, Spain and Indonesia took part at the dialogue, joined by the UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. WTTC’s Members attending this meeting were Arnold Donald, Carnival Corporation; Rajit Sukumaran, IHG CEO of Southeast Asia, Shirley Tan, CEO Rajawali Property Group, Jiten Vyas, chief commercial officer VFS Global, Sven Leirvaag VP Amadeus, Andrea Grisdale, IC Bellagio CEO, Beth Potter CEO Tourism Industry Association of Canada and Korea; Steven Liew, Airbnb regional director, representing different industries and regions.

 

 

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Untouched rural destinations more popular with tourists in Thailand: Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/untouched-rural-destinations-more-popular-with-tourists-in-thailand-airbnb/ Thu, 08 Sep 2022 10:22:36 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=721797 The post Untouched rural destinations more popular with tourists in Thailand: Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb claims that some of the ‘lesser-known’ destinations that travellers are exploring include Koh Lanta, Trat, Pai and Cha-Am.

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Airbnb claims that some of the ‘lesser-known’ destinations that travellers are exploring include Koh Lanta, Trat, Pai and Cha-Am. Though many would argue those areas are already very well-known tourist destinations, they just receive less visitors than the major hubs of places like Samui, Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang Mai – all of which have their own international airport.

Airbnb shares that more than 70% of Thais who participated in a poll plan to travel more frequently to rural destinations that are not currently popular with tourists, with over two thirds saying it is important that they are not contributing to issues such as ‘over tourism’.

“More than two years since the start of the pandemic, we continue to see fundamental shifts in travel that are creating new opportunities for lesser known, off-the-beaten-track communities. It’s incredibly exciting to see travellers so enthusiastic about exploring new destinations, as well as the positive economic impact cascading to locals,” said Mich Goh, Airbnb’s head of public policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan. “This ongoing dispersal of travel is empowering locals to diversify their income through hosting and build financial resilience in the face of rising costs of living. We are committed to continuing to work together with governments and stakeholders to keep inspiring travellers to step off the beaten path and help ensure more communities can share in the benefits of tourism.”

With people continuing to embrace flexible new approaches to travel and living, communities that have traditionally missed out in the past are potentially well-positioned to secure a bigger slice of the tourism pie, according to new Airbnb report ‘Further Afield: Spreading the Benefits of the Travel Revolution’.

Across Asia Pacific, Airbnb nights booked in non-urban areas and typical earnings for non-urban hosts have increased. Travelers are not only eyeing destinations off the beaten path, they’re also looking to stay longer.

Notably, nights booked for long-term stays (stays longer than 28 days) in non-urban areas approximately doubled in popular travel and remote working hotspot Thailand in Q2 2022, up from Q2 2019 pre-pandemic.

In Southeast Asia, several destinations outside major metropolitan hubs were popular among travellers on Airbnb for long-term stays in Q2 2022. Examples included:  Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta and Krabi in Thailand; – Ipoh, Kuah, Semenyih and Port Dickson in Malaysia; and  Dapa, Panglao, Dumaguete and Silang in Philippines.

In addition to encouraging travellers to explore further afield through innovative search tools such as Categories and I’m Flexible, Airbnb has partnered with Thailand’s Tourism Authority of Thailand and Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy on a range of ‘Live and Work Anywhere’ initiatives to attract global digital nomads and remote workers, as part of broader efforts to drive inbound tourism as travel returns.

 

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Leisure travel: What’s trending in 2022 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/leisure-travel-whats-trending-in-2022/ Mon, 22 Aug 2022 22:18:57 +0000 https://eturbonews.com/?p=3077181 The post Leisure travel: What’s trending in 2022 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

New study reveals travel customers are rapidly changing their travel habits in planning and booking based on a multitude of factors.
Leisure travel: What’s trending in 2022

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New study reveals travel customers are rapidly changing their travel habits in planning and booking based on a multitude of factors.

Leisure travel: What’s trending in 2022

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Digital nomads on Airbnb’s target list, partners with 20 destinations to support remote work around the world https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/digital-nomads-on-airbnbs-target-list-partners-with-20-destinations-to-support-remote-work-around-the-world/ Mon, 11 Jul 2022 01:17:34 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=703009 The post Digital nomads on Airbnb’s target list, partners with 20 destinations to support remote work around the world appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb launched its ‘Live and Work’ Anywhere initiative to identify some of the most remote worker-friendly destinations in the world

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Airbnb is partnering with 20 destinations globally to attract digital nomads, including Thailand, Bali, Lisbon, and the Caribbean.

Earlier this year, Airbnb launched its ‘Live and Work’ Anywhere initiative to identify some of the most remote worker-friendly destinations in the world and support governments and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) in helping to revive tourism and provide economic support to communities after two-plus years of travel restrictions.

The 20 destinations Airbnb will spotlight are:

  • Baja California Sur, Mexico
  • Bali, Indonesia
  • Brindisi, Puglia, Italy
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Caribbean
  • Canary Islands, Spain
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Colombia
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
  • Lisbon, Portugal
  • Malta
  • Mexico City, Mexico
  • Palm Springs, California, USA
  • Queensland, Australia
  • Rural France
  • Salzkammergut, Austria
  • Tampa Bay, Florida, USA
  • Thailand
  • Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

Over the next few months, Airbnb will work closely with destination partners ranging from whole countries to smaller, lesser-known towns. They were selected based on their attraction to remote workers and progressiveness in evolving policies for those looking to live and work in a different region and attract a new type of traveller. The initiative builds off work during the pandemic, which saw Airbnb partnering with more than 160 governments and DMOs to specifically support efforts to encourage the return of tourism — including through remote working.

Millions of people are now more flexible about where they live and work. As a result, they’re spreading to thousands of towns and cities, staying for weeks, months, or even entire seasons at a time.

About one in five guests globally said they booked Airbnb to enable them to work remotely while travelling in 2021. That trend has continued into Q1 2022, with long-term stays at an all-time high, doubling in size from Q1 2019. They are essentially “living” on Airbnb as guests have already planned stays in over 72,000 cities and towns this summer.

Airbnb co-founder and chief strategy officer Nathan Blecharczyck said: “In the two years since the pandemic began, a new world of travel has emerged in which many workers are untethered to an office. In collaborating with these destinations, we want to make it easier for workers to enjoy this flexibility and support the return of safe and responsible travel. We know that travel brings significant economic opportunity to local communities and connects people around the world. We’re excited to launch this one-stop-shop for anyone considering joining the millions of workers already enjoying this new trend of working flexibility and travel.”

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OMG! Fund: Airbnb rolls out $10 million for the world’s craziest listing ideas https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/omg-fund-airbnb-rolls-out-10-million-for-the-worlds-craziest-listing-ideas/ Tue, 28 Jun 2022 02:16:17 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=701615 The post OMG! Fund: Airbnb rolls out $10 million for the world’s craziest listing ideas appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The fund's $10 million will help finance 100 of the craziest ideas, giving 100 people an opportunity to turn them into actual Airbnb OMG! Category listings, which are Airbnb’s collection of the most unique homes

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Airbnb is on the hunt for the world’s craziest spaces — and will help foot the bill to build them. Whether it’s the next boot, UFO house or a 6-ton potato, the first-of-its-size $10,000,000 OMG! Fund is seeking ideas from existing and aspiring designers, architects, DIYers and makers from around the globe. The fund’s $10 million will help finance 100 of the craziest ideas, giving 100 people an opportunity to turn them into actual Airbnb OMG! Category listings, which are Airbnb’s collection of the most unique homes.

Anyone with an out-of-this-world idea can submit an application. One hundred people with the craziest ideas will receive $100,000 each to make their creations possible and, ultimately, bookable. Ideas will be judged by an expert panel for their originality, feasibility, the experience the space will provide guests, and sustainability.

The fund is shaped in part by the growing trend of flexible living that has emerged in the past two years. As part of this shift, Airbnb guests are craving more unexpected spaces that become the destinations themselves, and Airbnb Categories, which launched last month, provide a new way to search for these spaces. More than 30,000 unique listings across the world were added to Airbnb in 2021 and the OMG! Category – which since introduced has been viewed 2.5M times – showcases the craziest amongst them, making it easy for guests to discover these listings in places they wouldn’t have otherwise looked.

Hosting on Airbnb provides powerful economic benefits to hosts and their communities. In 2021, unique hosts income in India increased by around 45 percent as compared to 2019. Additionally, nights booked at unique properties increased globally by over 49 percent from 2019 to 2021.

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Airbnb launches new safety product for solo travellers https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-launches-new-safety-product-for-solo-travellers/ Thu, 16 Jun 2022 22:19:49 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=699488 The post Airbnb launches new safety product for solo travellers appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb strives to be a place where anyone can belong and feel safe while travelling. One strength is in the flexibility we offer to our guests through our over 6 million listings. From group trips; to business travel; to solo exploration — no matter what you’re looking for, you should be able to find and […]

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Airbnb strives to be a place where anyone can belong and feel safe while travelling. One strength is in the flexibility we offer to our guests through our over 6 million listings. From group trips; to business travel; to solo exploration — no matter what you’re looking for, you should be able to find and book it on Airbnb.

As the “live anywhere” phenomenon has taken off among people who are able to work remotely, our platform has become increasingly integral to solo travellers. In 2021, 26% of all nights booked on Airbnb were by solo travellers, and more than 50% of nights booked for long-term stays during the first quarter of 2022 were for solo travellers.

We recognize that the trust and safety of our solo traveller community is critical. As we saw the solo travelling and “live anywhere” trends begin to accelerate, our Trust team began working last year on a new product aimed at promoting a safe and secure experience for solo travellers, and we’re proud to announce it today.

Our new Solo Traveller in-app experience is specifically designed to better support safe solo travelling on Airbnb. When a solo guest books a private or shared room reservation, we will activate a specialised in-app experience, starting with supplying the traveller with expert tips they may want to try to help stay safe when travelling alone.

The key component of this new feature is the ability for the solo traveller to easily share, with one touch, their reservation itinerary with the important and trusted people in their lives for added peace of mind and in the rare event of an emergency during a stay. The itinerary includes: listing address, reservation code, and check-in and out dates.

Once the reservation is confirmed, in the message thread with the Host, the traveller will see automated prompts by Airbnb suggesting questions to ask the Host about the listing and surrounding neighbourhood. These suggested questions stem from research with experienced solo travellers who provided detail on the types of local insights that helped them stay safe while on the road.

This feature is initially being rolled out for English-speaking guests. At this time, it will focus on bookings by solo travellers to private rooms or shared spaces. We plan to introduce this feature to additional countries and languages in the coming year, as well as expand it to include entire home listings as well.

Additionally, we recognize that female solo traveller safety is top of mind for the travel community right now. As we began developing the product, it became apparent that this could benefit all solo travellers, so the in-app experience will be made accessible to guests regardless of their gender identity.

Our hope is this new product will better equip solo travellers on Airbnb to be more informed travellers by getting their pre-trip questions answered, giving them a better understanding of their surroundings, and informing the important people in their lives about where they will be and for how long.

This new feature complements our longstanding products and tools to promote safer travel experiences. Other in-app products like the 24-hour Safety Line are available to all travellers during active reservations. If a guest ever feels unsafe, they’ll get priority access to specially-trained safety agents, day or night.

We also make our Local Emergency Services in-app feature available to all Airbnb users 24/7, regardless of whether or not they are in the middle of an Airbnb reservation. With one touch, this feature quickly connects the user to local emergency services (i.e. 999) — which could be particularly helpful for solo travellers who are travelling abroad in countries where they do not know the phone number off-hand for local police. This feature was recently extended to 70 countries and regions, with more to come.

Lastly, all Airbnb users have the option to add one Emergency Contact to their Airbnb profile.

In the rare circumstance that Airbnb needs to contact someone on your behalf, adding an emergency contact can help quicken that process. This can be found in Account Settings in the Personal Info tab towards the bottom of the page and only visible to Airbnb.

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Airbnb hosts in Thailand use their income in time of soaring inflation https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-hosts-in-thailand-use-their-income-in-time-of-soaring-inflation/ Thu, 09 Jun 2022 03:00:41 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=698455 The post Airbnb hosts in Thailand use their income in time of soaring inflation appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has released the first results from its latest survey of hosts and guests worldwide, focusing on its findings from Thailand

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Airbnb has released the first results from its latest survey of hosts and guests worldwide, focusing on its findings from Thailand. Hosts surveyed in Thailand, who used the platform last year, provided insights into how Airbnb hosts are using their income in a time of soaring inflation, emerging as key contributors to the local economy, and building strong people connections.

Mitigating Rising Costs with Hosting

As external forces pushed inflation higher around the world last year, income earned through hosting became essential for navigating higher prices for hosts in Thailand.

In response to a question about why they host their space on Airbnb:

  • Almost 35%t of hosts surveyed in Thailand said one of the reasons they host is to earn money to help cover the rising cost of living;
  • Nearly a third said they host to earn money to make ends meet;
  • Over half said they host to earn extra spending money;
  • Almost half said they host to earn money to grow their business.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the Food Price Index steadily increased last year, up to an all-time high in March 2022. Against the backdrop of higher prices for everyday goods, nearly 45% of Thai hosts surveyed said they use the income earned through hosting to buy food and other necessities that have become more expensive. In Thailand, most hosts surveyed stated that they use the money earned through hosting to improve their homes.

Hosts surveyed also indicated that they expect that income earned through hosting will become more critical. Over 45% say they expect to become more reliant on host income in 12 months.

In addition, to revenue from guests and their local spending, Thai hosts surveyed contribute to Thailand’s tourism income.

Almost two-thirds of those surveyed say that they hire support staff such as professional cleaners.

Hosts also like to share recommendations with guests about restaurants and cafes (85%), outdoor sites and activities (two thirds), lesser-known areas and places to visit (60%), and shops and boutiques (almost half), amongst others.

In fact, more than three-quarters of Thai hosts surveyed recommended places to visit in and around their Airbnb neighbourhood to guests.

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Airbnb to wind down China rentals amid ongoing lockdowns https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-to-wind-down-china-rentals-amid-ongoing-lockdowns/ Fri, 27 May 2022 01:23:14 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=696679 The post Airbnb to wind down China rentals amid ongoing lockdowns appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

All listings for homes in China will be removed from Airbnb’s website by summer

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Airbnb is winding down domestic rentals in China, where the “zero-Covid” policy has led to ongoing lockdowns. All listings for homes in China will be removed from Airbnb’s website by summer. The company is expected to switch its focus to Chinese outbound travel. Prior to Covid-19 shutdown in international borders, Chinese outbound travellers had tripled in less than a decade, reaching 155 million journeys in 2019, according to the UNWTO.

But since 2020, China has had some of the toughest Covid restrictions in the world, with strict curbs on travel into and around the country. Airbnb set up its business in China in 2016. Since then, some 25 million guests have booked stays there through the online home rental company.

The company has also faced strong competition from Chinese home-rental platforms.

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A new Airbnb for a new world of travel https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/a-new-airbnb-for-a-new-world-of-travel/ Mon, 16 May 2022 22:35:58 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=692452 The post A new Airbnb for a new world of travel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

With a new way to search designed around Airbnb Categories, the innovative Split Stays feature, and AirCover for guests, this launch represents the biggest change to Airbnb in a decade. 

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With a new way to search designed around Airbnb Categories, the innovative Split Stays feature, and AirCover for guests, this launch represents the biggest change to Airbnb in a decade. 

Last year, the company released 150 upgrades to improve every aspect of the Airbnb service. Airbnb is launching the biggest change in a decade including: 

  • Airbnb Categories – A new way to search that makes it easy to discover millions of homes you never knew existed. 
  • Split Stays – An innovative feature that provides more options for longer stays by splitting your trip between two homes. 
  • AirCover for guests – The most comprehensive protection in travel, included for free with every stay. 

“The way people travel has changed forever. That’s why we’re introducing the biggest change to Airbnb in a decade,” said Brian Chesky, CEO and co-founder of Airbnb.

“First, people are more flexible about where they live and work, so we’ve designed a new way to search with Airbnb Categories. Second, people are taking longer trips, so we created Split Stays to give you more options by splitting your trip between two homes. And third, we’re introducing AirCover for guests, giving you the confidence to book knowing that Airbnb’s got your back.” 

Brian Chesky for Airbnb

Airbnb Categories 

Millions of people are now more flexible about where they live and work. But travel search has been the same for 25 years — you enter a location and dates into a search box. Most of us can only think of a few dozen cities to type into the search box, but there are Airbnbs in 100,000 towns and cities around the world. 

That’s why Airbnb is introducing a new way to search designed around Airbnb Categories, making it easy to discover millions of unique homes you never knew existed. When you open Airbnb, you’re presented with 56 categories that organize homes based on their style, location, or proximity to a travel activity. When you search for a destination, your search results are also organized by categories that are relevant to that destination. As you view different categories, the map intelligently zooms to show you where the homes are located. 

To create Airbnb Categories, the company evaluate millions of homes using machine learning to analyze titles, written descriptions, photo captions, structured data from Hosts, and reviews from guests. Members of Airbnb’s curation team review listings and hand-pick featured photos — so if a listing is in the Amazing Pools Category, the first photo shows a pool. Then, each category goes through a final check to help ensure consistency and photo quality. 

The 56 Airbnb Categories include more than 4 million unique homes that are made possible by our Hosts all around the world. Airbnb Categories organize homes by what makes them unique, which helps

people discover places they wouldn’t have otherwise found. This can help alleviate over-tourism by redistributing travel to new locations beyond the same popular destinations. 

Split Stays 

In the last three months, nearly half of the nights booked on Airbnb were for trips of a week or more. That’s why Airbnb created Split Stays, an innovative feature that splits your trip between two homes. With Split Stays, you will typically see around 40% more listings when searching for longer stays. 

When searching a specific destination, Split Stays automatically appear in your search results. They also appear within 14 categories — including Camping, National Parks, Skiing, and Surfing — to inspire you to stay in two destinations as part of a longer trip. For example, when browsing the National Parks Category, Split Stays might suggest a pair of homes near Zion National Park and Grand Canyon. 

When viewing Split Stays on a map, an animated line visually connects the two homes to show you the distance between them and the sequence of the stays. Once you select a Split Stay, you’re guided through an easy-to-use interface to book each stay, one home at a time. 

AirCover for Guests 

This summer, millions of people will travel for the first time since the start of the pandemic. That’s why Airbnb created AirCover, the most comprehensive protection in travel. AirCover is always included and always free, and it represents the biggest upgrade to Airbnb customer service in a decade. 

With AirCover, you’re covered by four protections every time you stay on Airbnb: 

  • Booking Protection Guarantee – In the unlikely event a Host needs to cancel your booking within 30 days of check-in, Airbnb will find you a similar or better home, or will refund you.
  • Check-In Guarantee – If you can’t check into your home and the Host cannot resolve the issue, we’ll find you a similar or better home for the length of your original stay, or we’ll refund you.
  • Get-What-You-Booked Guarantee – If at any time during your stay you find your listing isn’t as advertised — for example, the refrigerator stops working and your Host can’t easily fix it, or there are fewer bedrooms than listed — you’ll have three days to report it and we’ll find you a similar or better home, or we’ll refund you. 
  • 24-hour Safety Line – If you ever feel unsafe, you’ll get priority access to specially-trained safety agents, day or night. 

AirCover has been designed directly into the Airbnb app and website, making it easy for you to contact an agent and resolve issues quickly. Airbnb created a team of specially trained agents for last-minute rebooking assistance. The company also significantly expanded its 24-hour safety line to cover 16 languages. 

Airbnb’s redesigned app and website with over 50 categories of unique homes, the innovative Split Stays feature, and AirCover for guests will be available worldwide this week, with rollout starting in the US today.

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Most Indians keen to travel abroad in next six months: Airbnb survey https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/most-indians-keen-to-travel-abroad-in-next-six-months-airbnb-survey/ Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:00:16 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=690511 The post Most Indians keen to travel abroad in next six months: Airbnb survey appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Indian travellers are planning their next trip abroad with almost three-quarters of respondents looking to do so in the foreseeable future

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As COVID-19 related international border restrictions gradually ease over recent months, Indian travellers are planning their next trip abroad with almost three-quarters of respondents looking to do so in the foreseeable future, according to a survey by online accommodation platform Airbnb. A vast majority of Indians surveyed, 75 per cent, reported having plans to travel internationally in the foreseeable future.

More than a third of those (34 per cent) plan to do so in the next six months, Airbnb said in a statement. The survey commissioned by Airbnb took response of 1,019 Indians by YouGov between April 13-21, 2022. In terms of destinations, the survey found that almost 50 per cent of Indians were considering travel to Asia Pacific destinations, with Australia, Thailand and Indonesia topping the chart as the most searched destinations.

Over two years since the beginning of the pandemic, Airbnb said Indian travellers are now dreaming about their next international trip and “more than 70 per cent of Indians are excited about being able to travel internationally”.

Interestingly, almost three-quarters of Indians who are currently working stated that they would like to combine work and travel while abroad, it added. Also, almost 6 out of 10 Indians surveyed said they were more open to travelling internationally during off-peak times of the year than they were before the pandemic.

“As border restrictions gradually ease across many countries in the region, we’re seeing a lot of enthusiasm for cross-border travel,” Airbnb India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, General Manager Amanpreet Bajaj said. After being unable to travel abroad for so long, many people are excited to take that long-awaited overseas trip – something we’ve seen reflected in the searches on Airbnb, following a number of border reopening announcements, he added.

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New Bengaluru tech hub part of Airbnb’s ongoing investment in India https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/new-bengaluru-tech-hub-part-of-airbnbs-ongoing-investment-in-india/ Wed, 23 Mar 2022 01:44:45 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=688583 The post New Bengaluru tech hub part of Airbnb’s ongoing investment in India appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb

Airbnb has announced fresh investment in India through the impending opening of a new technology hub in Bengaluru

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Airbnb

Airbnb

As a platform committed to serving a global community and a diverse range of stakeholders, Airbnb continually looks for ways to invest in countries and communities around the world, as well as create opportunities for locals. The company has now announced fresh investment in India through the impending opening of a new technology hub in Bengaluru – a city that has become one of the world’s biggest technology capitals.

“India is an incredibly important market for Airbnb. The opening of this technology hub will further our ongoing investment in the nation and is testament to our long-term vision for growing our business locally into the future,” said Nathan Blecharczyk, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Airbnb.

“We’re incredibly excited to be forging a deeper connection with Bengaluru, given the city is increasingly attracting and nurturing top technology talent. The tech hub we’re announcing today will bolster our ability to serve our global community, while also providing fresh opportunities for talented local engineers and tech specialists.”

Airbnb’s Bengaluru technology hub will aim to create local, skilled jobs, with plans for the center to cater to a few hundred people in the initial phases, followed by an expanded footprint in the future.

Ari Balogh, Airbnb’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “Our new Bengaluru hub will enable us to work with some of the brightest Tech talent in India while allowing Airbnb to continue to evolve our technical foundations and build truly exceptional experiences for guests and Hosts on the platform.”

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, said: “We’re committed to working with government and other stakeholders to drive economic growth in India and help build more resilient communities, both through tourism and direct investment.

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Can You Be A Good Host? Airbnb Offers A Free Year In Sicily https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/can-you-be-a-good-host-airbnb-offers-a-free-year-in-sicily/ Wed, 26 Jan 2022 03:39:31 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=685243 The post Can You Be A Good Host? Airbnb Offers A Free Year In Sicily appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb, the online short-term rental platform, is giving away a free one-year stay in a newly renovated property in Sicily’s small rural village of Sambuca.

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Airbnb, the online short-term rental platform, is giving away a free one-year stay in a newly renovated property in Sicily’s small rural village of Sambuca.

The successful candidate, who may bring up to three family members or friends, must rent out one of the house’s rooms on Airbnb, but profits are theirs to keep.

Sambuca di Sicilia, which was crowned “the most beautiful Italian village” in 2016, has a population of roughly 6,000 people and is located around 80 kilometres south of Palermo.

Airbnb purchased the formerly abandoned residence as part of Sambuca’s €1 house program, which started in 2018 to address the village’s falling population by promoting cultural heritage and sustainable tourism.

Those interested must apply by 18 February

According to the Italian news agency ANSA, the campaign has given new life to the village, which has become a multi-ethnic community, with 143 properties sold (by both local officials and private individuals) to families from 38 countries across the world.

According to Airbnb, the renovated home “combines the necessities of modern life with the charm of the Sicilian architecture.”

The three-story mansion is completely furnished and located near the Belvedere di Sambuca, which overlooks the Belice Valley.

The Airbnb property is available from 30 June

“The beauty of this initiative is that it gives new life to an abandoned heritage home in the heart of our village as well as a second chance to the person who will move here,’ the mayor of Sambuca di Sicilia, Leonardo Ciaccio, told ANSA.

The mayor stated that the chosen applicant should wish to immerse themselves in the community’s culture, customs, and language, including participating in the grape harvest and picking olives.

The house will be available from 30 June and applicants must apply by 18 February via the Airbnb website, which contains full details of the offer.

Applicants must submit a short essay detailing how they would organize their lives in Sicily and how they view themselves as hosts, “sharing a private room of your Sicilian house with visitors coming from all over the world.”

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New Airbnb offering: Live for a year in a restored ‘1 Euro’ Sicilian home https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/new-airbnb-offering-live-for-a-year-in-a-restored-1-euro-sicilian-home/ Thu, 20 Jan 2022 01:00:21 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=684919 The post New Airbnb offering: Live for a year in a restored ‘1 Euro’ Sicilian home appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb is on the search for the ideal candidate to live rent-free for a year and host a decayed-turned-designer Italian heritage home

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Airbnb is on the search for the ideal candidate to live rent-free for a year and host a decayed-turned-designer Italian heritage home. With a newfound flexibility to live and work remotely, one person will be given the opportunity to relocate to Sicily with their family, partner, or friend and move into this uniquely restored house.

The picturesque three-story traditional home is located in Sambuca which was made famous thanks to its recent ‘1 Euro House campaign’. Like many Italian villages, Sambuca is suffering from a declining population so it launched the ‘1 Euro House campaign’ in 2019 to promote cultural heritage, encourage international investment and appeal to a younger demographic to restore the charm of the once bustling village.

“The beauty of this campaign is that it gives a second chance not just to an abandoned heritage home in the heart of our village – it’s also a second chance to the person who moves into it. We see it as a designer makeover for the house and the Host. We’re looking for someone who wants to live with the local population and participate in all the important moments of the community, from the grape harvest to olive picking and we can’t wait to welcome whoever gets selected,” said Leonardo Ciaccio, Mayor of Sambuca di Sicilia.

Ideal candidates should be committed to hosting and contributing to village life. Their Sambuca residence will take place over a one-year period beginning June 30, with the successful applicant retaining all earnings from hosting on Airbnb.

The House

What is truly special about this ‘1 Euro House’ is that it has been given a total designer makeover. Airbnb worked with the Italian architectural firm Studio Didea to transform the home using materials and colors in harmony with the local landscape. Blending contemporary design with hand-made and local artisanal elements, the structure is typical of Sicily’s charming architecture.

The spacious building spans three floors, with plenty of room to work remotely and Host on Airbnb.

  • The ground floor comprises a small living room, master bedroom with king-size bed and en-suite bathroom.
  • The first floor includes a living room, kitchen, working space, bathroom and mezzanine bedroom with a king-size bed.
  • The upper floor includes an additional living space with a queen-size sofa bed.

The successful applicant gets first dibs on the bedroom that best suits their needs with the second bedroom to be listed on Airbnb.

The Location

Sambuca is a small rural village of about 6000 inhabitants in Sicily, characterized by a unique blend of Italian and North African cultures and architectural styles. Thanks to its ‘1 Euro House’ campaign, the successful applicant will join a growing international community, with many millennials moving from bigger local cities to the rural village in pursuit of a slower pace of life.

How it works

To apply, visit airbnb.com/1eurohouse and complete the application form. Before applying, carefully read the Selection Terms available on the website.

Candidates must be over 18, available to move to Sambuca for at least 3 consecutive months, starting from June 30th, 2022 and be able to speak conversational English (Italian a plus!). The selected participant will be given the opportunity to take part in a mentorship programme: learning Italian and attending Italian cooking classes. Candidates will need to demonstrate a commitment to hosting one room in the house for a minimum of 9 months.

The successful participant may bring their partner, friend or family (maximum of two adults and two children in total). The successful participant will live rent-free and will retain all Airbnb Host earnings over the course of their residence.

Airbnb’s commitment to heritage in Italy

This opportunity in Sambuca, Sicily highlights the potential economic benefits for rural communities as a result of changing travel trends on Airbnb driven by the pandemic. In Q3 2019 just four Italian cities accounted for over 26% of all travel: Rome, Venice, Milan, and Florence. In Q3 2021, however, those same four cities accounted for under 17% of travel and one of the top visited areas in Italy was Sicily.* Airbnb aims to support this demand by working with villages like Sambuca, to help restore them to their former glory.

Airbnb has previously supported similar heritage efforts with small villages, such as the restoration of an artist’s house in Civita, the Italian Sabbatical to support the revitalisation of the village of Grottole and the Italian Villages Project to showcase off-the-beaten-track destinations and sustainable tourism.

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Demand for different types of Airbnb up 400% https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/demand-for-different-types-of-airbnb-up-400/ Wed, 03 Nov 2021 03:00:01 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=680339 The post Demand for different types of Airbnb up 400% appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Some of the weirdest Airbnb’s listed to find out how much they would cost in comparison to similar properties in the area

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new study by Confused.com has compiled some of the weirdest Airbnb’s listed to find out how much they would cost in comparison to similar properties in the area, as well as looking into what features they have to offer.

The weirdest ranked homes on Airbnb

Weird is wonderful – 3 weirdest homes on Airbnb

  1. Bubble Suite, Mexico

Landing at the top spot on our list is Bubble Suite, Mexico. At £174 a night, this fancy version of glamping is situated in Mexico’s famous wine country and is actually one of a whole range of bubble buildings. While it’s perfect for falling asleep with a bottle of wine by your side, it costs 167% more than other two-bedroom rentals in the area.

  1. Dreamy Tropical House, Hawaii

The second weirdest ranked Airbnb is Dreamy Tropical Treehouse, Hawaii – an adult-sized treehouse with a 360-degree view of a tropical jungle. This secluded spot will set you back £217 a night which is only £34 more expensive than your typical Airbnbs in the local area.

  1. Seashell House, Mexico

Finally, two giant seashells on a Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea are what awaits you at The Seashell House. Unlike the other shells you might find on the nearby beach, this one won’t have washed away by morning, which makes the cost of £216 a night all the more worthwhile.

The most expensive weirdest Airbnbs

Of all the Airbnbs we analyzed, Treehouse Blue Mountains in Australia was the most costly. Staying at this property costs a whopping £1,272.48 a night, that’s a staggering 613% above the average in the area.

If you’re looking to get away with friends, Sharma Springs is the second most expensive property on our list. Costing £750 a night, this half villa, half treehouse in Bali offers a once in a lifetime experience to relax and have fun up within the leaves.

Landing in third place is Bird Island – your very own island to spend time with your loved ones in total comfort and absolute privacy. This unique Airbnb is located inside one of the most beautiful atolls in Belize and can be yours for £575 a night.

The most affordable weird places to stay

It turns out that the cheapest weirdest Airbnb is Cabana Floripa, the Brazilian eco-residence that only charges £16 a night. For this small sum, you get walls made from recycled bottles, stained glass windows, repurposed furniture, and a true sense of adventure in this one-of-a-kind hideaway.

Landing on our list as the second most affordable Airbnb is the Iconic Cube House in the Netherlands. At £26 a night, it will feel like you’re staying in a piece of modern art right in the centre of Rotterdam’s bustling social scene.

Completing the top three is the Bamboo Eco Cottage in Bali at £47 a night. While it is slightly more expensive, this is excellent value given that you’re staying with live bamboo that changes every day.

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Airbnb endorses STAAH as preferred partner for 2021 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-endorses-staah-as-preferred-partner-for-2021/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 06:43:59 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=676535 The post Airbnb endorses STAAH as preferred partner for 2021 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Cloud-based technology STAAH has been chosen by Airbnb as their preferred software partner for 2021 as it has been recognised for exceptional performance in connecting hosts around the world to Airbnb’s growing community.

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Cloud-based technology STAAH has been chosen by Airbnb as their preferred software partner for 2021. It has been recognised for exceptional performance in connecting hosts around the world to Airbnb’s growing community.

STAAH, through its innovative channel management and one-stop solutions, constantly engages with online platform partners globally. With its best-in-class technology, it has met the targets set for every criteria in this partnership programme. The integration with Airbnb has produced exceptional results for STAAH properties and is continuously helping them to connect with millions of guests worldwide.

“The STAAH team is thrilled to be recognised as a Preferred Software Partner for Airbnb,” says STAAH’s founding director, Gavin Jeddo. “Our innovative distribution technology competes with the best in the world and we are delighted to be a part of this partnership helping our clients grow their online revenue,” added Gavin Jeddo

The preferred partner programme by Airbnb was launched in October 2018, to ensure hosts have a great experience connecting with Airbnb, through recognised and certified partners who offer fully integrated connectivity solutions that exceed performance benchmarks.

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Lights, Camera, Action! Airbnb celebrates world of Bollywood with festival of hosted online experiences https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/lights-camera-action-airbnb-celebrates-world-of-bollywood-with-festival-of-hosted-online-experiences/ Wed, 11 Aug 2021 06:07:40 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=675171 The post Lights, Camera, Action! Airbnb celebrates world of Bollywood with festival of hosted online experiences appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb announced the launch of Bollywood Insiders, a 10 day festival of engaging Online Experiences that brings India’s storied film industry to life

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Airbnb announced the launch of Bollywood Insiders, a 10 day festival of engaging Online Experiences that brings India’s storied film industry to life. Hosted by the industry’s top talent, guests from around the world will get a chance to experience Indian culture by going behind the velvet rope of a Bollywood set and interacting with its larger-than-life personalities.

Bollywood Insiders will run from 13 – 22 August 2021 featuring 7 unique online experiences. From learning about audition preparation techniques with ace director Farah Khan, to an intimate fireside chat with International Emmy nominee Arjun Mathur and putting your best sartorial foot forward with celebrity stylist Tanya Ghavri, guests can experience first-hand the rigorous training and preparation faced by their favorite Bollywood stars.

All Online Experiences will be available for booking from August 10, 08:30am, on a first come-first served basis at www.airbnb.com/bollywoodinsiders.

Through the programme, guests will get a sneak peek into the making of their favourite Bollywood movies and stars.

“We are thrilled to launch Bollywood Insiders, a campaign which pairs India’s love for the movies with Airbnb’s collection of unique and authentic experiences. This program aims to provide our community with the rare opportunity to interact with popular personalities from Bollywood and learn directly from these experts. We look forward to continuing to create additional experiences that will foster further connection amongst guests,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, general manager of Airbnb India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

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Indians looking to live anywhere, explore nature getaways and offbeat locations when travel returns https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/indians-looking-to-live-anywhere-explore-nature-getaways-and-offbeat-locations-when-travel-returns/ Fri, 09 Jul 2021 01:28:12 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=673513 The post Indians looking to live anywhere, explore nature getaways and offbeat locations when travel returns appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Indians are looking at travel in newer ways and exploring flexible, nearby travel and travel to work remotely, according to new Airbnb and YouGov research

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Indians are looking at travel in newer ways and exploring flexible, nearby travel and travel to work remotely, according to new Airbnb and YouGov research conducted in May 2021.

The survey showed that 43% of Indians would like to travel this year when able to (66% to destinations that are a drive away) and are excited about visiting new places with loved ones, relaxing in nature, enjoying offbeat destinations and sharing their experiences and recommendations with others. A third would like to spend time travelling and working in different locations. Here are top trends from the latest survey:

Looking forward to travel

While the timeline for travel recovery depends on a number of external factors such as vaccination coverage, Indians continue to be eager to get back to travelling and connecting with new people and places.

The survey showed that 43% would expect or plan to travel in the year and 66% would consider trips that are within driving distance. More than a third of respondents (36%) would like to travel and explore new places with loved ones. About eight in ten (78%) said they would like to be closer to their family in order to receive or provide support.

Flexible living and working

A third of Indian travellers (33%) would like to spend time travelling and working ‘anywhere’ in different locations, in a post-pandemic world. About two-thirds (62%) of respondents say they would opt for off-peak times of the year to travel.

Hosted travel catering to desire for unique experiences

Seven in ten (69%) respondents are interested in unique accommodations when they travel next (formats such as heritage homes, havelis, farm stays and villas), and a third (35%) say that they are very likely to stay in unique accommodations when they travel next. GenZ (70%) and Millennials (73%), who comprise a large pool of current and future travelers, are leading this trend.

Nature travel continues to inspire

Nature travel continues to be preferred by four in ten (40%) respondents. Hill stations seem to be a popular choice, with 44% of Indian residents wanting to visit destinations such as Manali, Mussoorie, Nainital, Ooty, Munnar, Coorg, and Kashmir. The beaches of Goa, Kerala, and Pondicherry are also sought-after destinations for Indian travelers (38%).

Capturing travel experiences with loved ones

Thinking about ways they can remember their trip, six in ten (59%) Indian residents hoping to embark on a holiday say they will take pictures as a way of remembering their trip, with close to half (47%) saying they will share stories with loved ones.

Commenting on these trends, Amanpreet Bajaj, general manager of Airbnb India in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said: “As many of us think of travelling again, stepping out the door will be about spending quality time with loved ones and creating new memories in unique destinations nearby or in nature. It will also be about exploring more flexible ways to live and work in a new world.”

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Oyo, Airbnb, EaseMyTrip and Yatra come together to launch CHATT https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/oyo-airbnb-easemytrip-and-yatra-come-together-to-launch-chatt/ Thu, 10 Jun 2021 01:00:58 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=671932 The post Oyo, Airbnb, EaseMyTrip and Yatra come together to launch CHATT appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Leading players of the OTA industry in India have come together to back and enable an industry association - Confederation of Hospitality, Technology and Tourism Industry (CHATT)

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The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a tremendous impact on the tourism, hospitality and technology industry worldwide. Last year, inspired by the feedback from India’s small hotels, independent hosts and travel operators, leading players of the industry such as Airbnb, EaseMyTrip, OYO and Yatra started to discuss how interests of and challenges faced by these new age entrepreneurs building travel businesses beyond tier-1 cities of India, could also become an inclusive part of thought leadership and advocacy for the industry.

The COVID-19 crisis presents a unique opportunity to collaborate on reviving the industry and only progress upwards from here on.

To empower the voice of smaller operators in the ecosystem, travel and hospitality tech players – Airbnb, EaseMyTrip, OYO and Yatra – have come together to back and enable an industry association – Confederation of Hospitality, Technology and Tourism Industry (CHATT).

CHATT aims to promote domestic tourism, lead the digital transformation of tourism related business and operating models, proactively engage via advocacy programmes to be a thought leader, impart educational training and beneficial programmes to all industry segments.

Every member will be able to access all CHATT resources and benefits, including participation in year-round programs, signature business events, access to the travel-tech ecosystem, including the experts and regional leads among others.

The association comprises start-up founders and business leaders such as Amanpreet Bajaj, general manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan in Airbnb; Nishant Pitti, co- founder and CEO in EaseMyTrip.com; Rohit Kapoor, CEO in OYO India & Southeast Asia and Dhruv Shringi, co-founder and CEO in Yatra.com.

In a virtual digital launch event hosted by CHATT, Prahlad Singh Patel, minister for tourism and culture (independent charge) in India, attended as the chief guest. He lauded the efforts of the new-age technology, travel and hospitality companies who have come together to promote the interest of the smallest and often under-represented operators and work together with the government on various fronts in this space.

“The Tourism Ministry is continuously making efforts to make the data available of hotels, home-stays on the unified portal – NIDHI to benefit tourists and CHATT will play a crucial role in it. Vaccination is going to drive the tourism sector’s revival and we are working on a uniform policy and setting up protocols for travellers getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The consolidated efforts by CHATT will be highly beneficial for SME, MSMEs hotel, homeowners, partners and I welcome them to join the various government committees to represent the unified voice of the industry,” he said.

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Airbnb is looking for 12 people to live anywhere for one year https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-is-looking-for-12-people-to-live-anywhere-for-one-year/ Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:23:09 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=671947 The post Airbnb is looking for 12 people to live anywhere for one year appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Inspired by the growing flexibility to work and live from anywhere, Airbnb has announced the launch of “Live Anywhere on Airbnb”, a program for 12 individuals to live exclusively in listings for approximately one year.

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Inspired by the growing flexibility to work and live from anywhere, Airbnb has announced the launch of “Live Anywhere on Airbnb”, a program for 12 individuals to live exclusively in listings for approximately one year.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Each participant will be allowed to bring up to three companions to be part of the program. The program is 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022, 10 of which will include travelling to and living in listings on Airbnb.

Whether it’s joining Zoom meetings by the beach, taking the family on the ultimate road trip, or learning a new language in a favourite city–participants can make the world their home. We will ask that they share their experiences with us to help inform future product upgrades and innovations on the platform to better accommodate nomadic living. Airbnb will cover the cost of accommodations and provide an allowance for transportation for the duration of the program.

According to the Airbnb Report on Travel & Living, the share of stays 28 days or longer on Airbnb increased 10% in nights booked when comparing 2019 to Q1 2021. 11% of our long-term stay bookers in 2021 reported living a nomadic lifestyle, with 74% of consumers we surveyed across five countries expressing interest in living someplace other than where their employer is based after the pandemic is over.

Through this program, participants will provide real-world insights on features,  services, and the experience of living nomadically, that could help shape the future of long-term living on Airbnb, including:

  • Product changes and resources that could help improve the long-term living experience
  • Ideal types of accommodations for solo travellers or groups like families
  • Connections to local community members and businesses
  • Better understanding of financial benefits of Hosting while travelling

From young families to remote workers, creatives, empty nesters, and more, we are seeking a diverse set of 12 individuals who can be part of the program for 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022. Airbnb will assist with listing suggestions, local Experiences and more.

Participants who choose to host their primary residence on Airbnb during the program will be able to test the experience and opportunity of hosting while living nomadically, by potentially earning extra money while they travel. It’s possible for anyone who wants to host and take advantage of the coming travel surge. For new listings that were activated and booked in Q1 2021, 50% received a reservation request within four days of activation, and the average annual earnings per Host who has welcomed at least one guest is USD9,600.

Starting today, those interested in embarking on their own nomadic adventure can submit their applications at www.airbnb.com/liveanywhere. Once selected, participants will begin their journeys with programming on how to live on Airbnb from The Senior Nomads, Airbnb product and research team members, and Live Anywhere experts like travelling journalist Imani Bashir.

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Stay Thai, Your Style! Airbnb unveils domestic travel campaign for Thailand https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/stay-thai-your-style-airbnb-unveils-domestic-travel-campaign-for-thailand/ Tue, 08 Dec 2020 00:08:55 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=569093 The post Stay Thai, Your Style! Airbnb unveils domestic travel campaign for Thailand appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

As part of Airbnb’s ongoing commitment and in support of the government’s efforts to help drive Thailand’s tourism recovery, Airbnb has launched a domestic travel campaign Stay Thai, Your Style

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As part of Airbnb’s ongoing commitment and in support of the government’s efforts to help drive Thailand’s tourism recovery, Airbnb has launched a domestic travel campaign, ‘Stay ไทย Style เรา’ (Stay Thai, Your Style). The campaign highlights Thailand’s incredible diversity of travel offerings and encourages Thais and residents to explore the Kingdom this festive season in their own style while revisiting favourite destinations and discovering new ones.

There has never been a better time to travel domestically in Thailand, and ‘Stay ไทย Style เรา’ showcases exceptional Airbnb Stays and Experiences throughout the country for Thai guests looking to travel to popular holiday destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Khao Yai and Pattaya.

From creative spaces in the North to beach-inspired villas in the South, pet-friendly stays, relaxing nature getaways and city staycations, Airbnb offers something for every traveller. Whether you’re an urbanite, beach-lover, culture enthusiast or nature seeker, Airbnb’s unique listings and flexible search options are perfect for a group of friends looking for a weekend escape, a romantic couple seeking a quiet retreat, or a family planning a road trip.

Guests can also rediscover Thailand with Airbnb Experiences, which offer a wide variety of interesting activities facilitated by local Thai experts. Indulge in Cooking and Foraging in Nature Farm in Chiang Mai, go on a Bike and Food Tour through Bangkok’s alleys to discover the city’s hidden gems, join a City Run Tour to explore Sino-Portuguese architecture of Phuket Old Town, or hop on a long-tail boat to Explore Hidden Nai Nang Village in Krabi where guests can catch crabs while kayaking through mangroves and stalactites.

“In an unprecedented year where domestic travel is the new norm, Airbnb’s domestic travel campaign aims to encourage Thais and residents to rediscover the country in their own style,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, general manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan) in Airbnb. “We encourage Thais to explore our passionate host community and the unique Stays and Experiences they offer, we hope locals will enjoy exploring places closer home this holiday season.”

To further drive awareness around the campaign, Airbnb is working with a number of creative Thai pioneers with backgrounds in travel, the arts and sports who will bring attention to these unique destinations and offerings through their authentic content and storytelling across popular social media platforms. Through engaging creators including artist ‘Phaan’ Chanaradee Chatrakul Na Ayudhya (aka Juli Baker and Summer), musician ‘Pleng’ Tongta Jitdee (aka Sunshine Is Over Me) and ultra-trail runner ‘Oopaib’ Pakanee Burutphakdee (aka I’m Oopaib), Airbnb aims to reignite the passion for domestic travel amongst Thais and residents who are increasingly turning to explore their backyard during this quieter time.

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Taking the Sea-Nic route! Boating holidays set sail for 2020 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/taking-the-sea-nic-route-boating-holidays-set-sail-for-2020/ Sat, 28 Nov 2020 05:00:50 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=556881 The post Taking the Sea-Nic route! Boating holidays set sail for 2020 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

New research has revealed a growing trend for 2020 – and one that is no longer exclusive to the UK’s wealthiest individuals – the boating holiday

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New research has revealed a growing trend for 2020 – and one that is no longer exclusive to the UK’s wealthiest individuals – the boating holiday. Boat insurance specialist Insure4Boats found that nearly two-thirds of young professionals would consider staying on board a yacht, sailing boat or narrowboat this year. One in four families and couples would also be keen to try it out.

That’s according to a survey of 1,000 consumers, which was commissioned by the insurer after seeing a spike in searches for the term ‘boating holiday’. It found that Google searches for this term have increased by 28% over the past five years in the UK. When asked why they would consider a boating holiday, two-thirds of the survey’s respondents said they were looking for a more unusual experience this year, due to the upheaval caused by recent travel restrictions. A further 57% were simply bored of ‘normal’ accommodation.

Four in 10 respondents stated that they had always wanted to stay on board a boat but hadn’t got around to it. More than a quarter said they have a newfound appreciation for UK waterways since lockdown. Meanwhile, one in six – 17% – believe that holidaying on a boat would work out cheaper than a traditional hotel or other rented accommodation on land.

And it’s not just holidaymakers who are getting involved in the trend. Insure4Boats questioned 752 boat owners on the topic and found that one in 10 would be ‘very interested’ in listing their boat as accommodation on peer-to-peer rental sites such as AirBnB or Beds on Board. Both of these websites connect boat owners with guests and offer stays.

Amongst said boat owners, 34% stated that they would like to investigate the possibility of earning extra income from their boat. A further one in five said they’d like their boat to be used more often, rather than sitting empty.

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MTDC partners with Airbnb to promote offbeat destinations in Maharashtra https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/mtdc-partners-with-airbnb-to-promote-offbeat-destinations-in-maharashtra/ Mon, 16 Nov 2020 04:00:10 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=565801 The post MTDC partners with Airbnb to promote offbeat destinations in Maharashtra appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

By promoting homestay tourism, this partnership will encourage travel to lesser-known destinations and will enable inclusive community-led tourism in the state, that will further enhance economic prospects

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Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is partnering with Airbnb to promote homestay and bed and breakfast (B&B) tourism in Maharashtra. By promoting homestay tourism, this partnership will encourage travel to lesser-known destinations and will enable inclusive community-led tourism in the state, that will further enhance economic prospects.

The partnership furthers both parties’ commitment to support a sustainable tourism ecosystem, while highlighting current and upcoming tourism destinations in the state. Through knowledge sharing and training workshops with hosts, the partnership will also enhance the potential of tourism to create jobs and sustain livelihoods for local communities and will spotlight unique properties as more travellers explore stays near metro cities.

Announcing the partnership, Aaditya Thackeray, minister for tourism, environment and climate change and protocol in Maharashtra, said: “Maharashtra is an ecologically and culturally rich state and offers travellers unique travel experiences. We are committed to improving community-driven hospitality that is sustainable and offers travellers accessible, affordable and quality tourism. Safety is also key. With Airbnb, we will strengthen the ecosystem for the growth of homestays and B&Bs in the state, to revive tourism growth in the coming months.”

Amanpreet Bajaj, general manager of India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan at Airbnb, said: “This partnership is a valuable opportunity to drive rapid demand growth towards domestic tourism and to support economic recovery. Airbnb has always been committed to highlighting unique destinations that are off the beaten track, and to ensure that economic benefits of tourism reach as many communities as possible.”

According to Airbnb’s own search trends and data, destinations within Maharashtra such as Karjat, Igatpuri, Alibag and Panchgani remain widely searched for options with their stunning scenery, including in the backdrop of the Western Ghats, and offer authentic cultural experiences for travellers.

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Worried about homestays in Thailand? Airbnb launch new safety standards https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/worried-about-homestays-in-thailand-airbnb-launch-new-safety-standards/ Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:26:13 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=561634 The post Worried about homestays in Thailand? Airbnb launch new safety standards appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

To ensure hosts are aligned with Thai government guidance, Airbnb has consulted with the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Health and recently held a joint discussion with Airbnb hosts to share best practices for cleanliness for homestays in Thailand.

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To support hosts and governments as communities reopen for travel in Thailand, Airbnb announced that hosts and guests must agree to follow Airbnb’s COVID-19 Safety Practices, which include wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and, for hosts and their teams, abiding by the five-step enhanced cleaning process.

This commitment will help provide extra assurances to try and safeguard all stakeholders – hosts, guests, their communities and governments. All Airbnb homes hosts must commit to implementing this five-step enhanced cleaning process by November 20.

To ensure hosts are aligned with Thai government guidance, Airbnb has consulted with the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Health and recently held a joint discussion with Airbnb hosts to share best practices for cleanliness in Thailand’s homestay industry.

“We encourage all Airbnb hosts in Thailand to apply this standard”

Speaking at the virtual meeting with Airbnb hosts, Dr Buncha Khakhong, deputy director-general of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, said:

The Department of Health has always looked for ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Thailand. We have found that Airbnb’s cleaning guidelines go above and beyond Thailand’s standards and we have collaborated with them to further ensure that the standards take into account local needs. We believe maintaining a high standard when it comes to cleaning and sanitation is key to building trust between hosts and guests, and the Department of Health is pleased to see Airbnb maintain robust cleaning guidelines for everyone to follow. We encourage all Airbnb hosts in Thailand to apply this standard and help to make Thailand a safe country for everyone”.

Empowering hosts with a commitment to cleanliness

Following the consultation with the Department of Health, a number of specific recommendations for short term rental accommodation in Thailand have been shared with Thailand hosts. The Department of Health recommends hosts to use disinfectants at 70% alcohol concentration, frequently clean their spaces with special attention on amenities such as pools, ensure guests wear masks, and maintain social distancing of at least 1 meter in common areas. The Department’s full list of recommendations have been made available to all Thailand hosts on Airbnb’s website.

All hosts in Thailand can now access the enhanced cleaning educational materials in Thai through the Resource Center, including a Quick Start Guide and Cleaning Handbook. These local resources offer guidance on the use of personal protective equipment, how to clean every room in a home, what to sanitize, and what supplies to have on hand. The new resources also include expert-backed health and safety guidelines on mask-wearing and social distancing.

Supporting travel recovery with industry-leading standards

Airbnb’s Enhanced Cleaning Protocol, developed in consultation with leading global experts and with guidance from the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Health, builds on Airbnb’s strong historical track record of cleanliness: 94% of all Airbnb reviews show that guests are satisfied with cleaning, scoring it at 4 or 5 stars after their stays.

“Hosts in Thailand are taking significant steps toward protecting themselves, their guests and the communities in which they live”

In addition to cleaning standards for homes, Airbnb is also offering new safety and cleaning initiatives for in-person Experiences in countries and regions where these activities have reopened, based on guidance from local governments and health experts. These guidelines include requiring all hosts and guests wear face coverings, limiting group size, and maintaining social distancing. For Experiences conducted in a private space, hosts are also required to follow an enhanced cleaning protocol.

“In a post-COVID world, maintaining high standards of health and hygiene is of utmost importance to us as a critical step in restoring traveller confidence,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, general manager (India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan), Airbnb. “By following the enhanced cleaning protocol, our hosts in Thailand are taking significant steps toward protecting themselves, their guests and the communities in which they live. We are looking forward to further collaborating with local governments, medical experts and other authorities to ensure a consistent approach that would help support the recovery of Thailand’s tourism industry.”

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Airbnb contributes USD 320 million to Indian economy https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-contributes-usd-320-million-to-indian-economy/ Fri, 14 Aug 2020 02:41:20 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=555773 The post Airbnb contributes USD 320 million to Indian economy appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb contributed over INR 22 billion (USD 320 million) to India’s GDP and supported close to 50,000 local jobs in 2019 alone, according to a new study

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Airbnb contributed over INR 22 billion (USD 320 million) to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supported close to 50,000 local jobs in 2019 alone, according to the Oxford Economics’ The Economic Impact of Airbnb in India report.

The landmark report explores the total economic impact of the company in India between 2015 and 2019. The report found that between 2015 and 2019 Airbnb guest spending grew at an annualised rate of 83.4% and Airbnb’s contribution to the Indian economy grew more than tenfold in real terms.

Importantly, the report also highlighted how it is spreading the benefits of tourism to local communities and supporting micro-entrepreneurship and small businesses. In 2019 alone the company’s guests spent more than INR 18 billion (USD 249 million) in India, including more than INR 7 billion (USD 94.3 million) in local shops and restaurants.

James Lambert, Oxford Economics’ director of economic consulting in Asia, said: “Airbnb is well-placed to play an important role in bringing tourists, and their spending, back to destination economies, and in supporting the earlier recovery of domestic travel by helping households, particularly those who seek to substitute an international trip with a domestic one, discover new areas in their own country to visit.”

Amanpreet Bajaj, general manager of Airbnb in India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said: “Looking forward, we want to continue to work closely with local governments to grow high-quality, sustainable tourism, support micro-entrepreneurship and help communities recover as quickly as possible. Our focus will continue to be to drive unique connections between our hosts and travel communities across segments.”

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Airbnb now offers virtual ‘travel’ experiences to keep you entertained at home https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-now-offers-virtual-travel-experiences-to-keep-you-entertained-at-home/ Tue, 14 Apr 2020 04:54:20 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=548263 The post Airbnb now offers virtual ‘travel’ experiences to keep you entertained at home appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has introduced Online Experiences, a new way for people to connect, travel virtually and earn income during the COVID-19 crisis. With communities around the world staying home to protect their health, people can’t undertake routine activities like going to work, exercising or pursuing a passion. The new programme will change that by allowing hosts […]

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Airbnb has introduced Online Experiences, a new way for people to connect, travel virtually and earn income during the COVID-19 crisis. With communities around the world staying home to protect their health, people can’t undertake routine activities like going to work, exercising or pursuing a passion.

The new programme will change that by allowing hosts to earn an income in these uncertain times and bring their transformative virtual experience to millions of guests. Airbnb Online Experiences offers an array of options like meditation with Buddhist monks, virtual visits with the dogs of Chernobyl, cooking with a Moroccan family, and more.

With so many people sheltering in place, It provides new activities for families to explore like learning the secrets of magic, options for work colleagues who want to reconnect and bond with team activities like making coffee with a professional coffee taster, features for groups looking to celebrate birthdays or get-togethers privately and the option to request specific dates for experiences like bartending with experts.

“Human connection is at the core of what we do,” said Catherine Powell, head of Airbnb Experiences. “With so many people needing to stay indoors to protect their health, we want to provide an opportunity for our hosts to connect with our global community of guests in the only way possible right now, online.”

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Airbnb sets aside USD250 million to support hosts https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-sets-aside-usd250-million-to-support-hosts/ Mon, 06 Apr 2020 00:13:07 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=546870 The post Airbnb sets aside USD250 million to support hosts appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

In light with the development of COVID-19 health crisis, Airbnb has announced several key initiatives and policies, including USD250 million USD to help accommodation hosts impacted by COVID-19-related cancellations.

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The post Airbnb sets aside USD250 million to support hosts appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

In light with the development of COVID-19 health crisis, Airbnb has announced several key initiatives and policies, including USD250 million USD to help accommodation hosts impacted by COVID-19-related cancellations.

Here’s how it works:

For a reservation to be eligible under our extenuating circumstances policy, it must have been for accommodations and booked on or before March 14 with check-in between March 14 and May 31, 2020. If a reservation is covered:

Guests will be able to cancel for a full refund for COVID-19-related circumstances.

Airbnb will pay 25% of what you would’ve received for a cancellation based on your cancellation policy. For example, if you would normally receive USD 400 through your cancellation policy, we’ll pay you 25% of that—or USD 100.

Future payments from the fund will be made on a monthly basis to hosts with qualifying cancellations. This policy will also apply retroactively, including any cancellations you may have had since March 14.

For reservations booked on or before March 14 with check-in after May 31, we recognize there may still be uncertainty. In the coming weeks, we’ll be asking hosts and guests to revisit these reservations and choose to either cancel or re-commit to the reservation.

Finally, for any reservations booked after March 14, your cancellation policy will be in effect as usual and COVID-19-related extenuating circumstances will not apply.

Superhost Relief Fund

Meanwhile, Airbnb’s employees have donated USD 1m from their own pockets to kickstart a fund for hosts struggling to make ends meet. Airbnb’s founders are also personally contributing USD 9m.

Airbnb will invite qualified hosts to apply for the grant. Upon review, hosts can receive up to USD 5000 based on their financial need.

This grant comes with no strings attached—hosts won’t need to repay it and can use it however they need.

 

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Free places to stay for medics and caregivers fighting Coronavirus in France https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/free-places-to-stay-for-medics-and-caregivers-fighting-coronavirus-in-france/ Thu, 26 Mar 2020 06:11:47 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=545640 The post Free places to stay for medics and caregivers fighting Coronavirus in France appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

In partnership with the French government, Airbnb has launched a local expansion of their Open Homes programme to connect medical staff and caregivers batting the coronavirus outbreak in France with free places to stay offered by local Airbnb hosts. Across the world, hosts are already mobilising and offering free accommodation to frontline staff fighting the […]

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The post Free places to stay for medics and caregivers fighting Coronavirus in France appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

In partnership with the French government, Airbnb has launched a local expansion of their Open Homes programme to connect medical staff and caregivers batting the coronavirus outbreak in France with free places to stay offered by local Airbnb hosts.

Across the world, hosts are already mobilising and offering free accommodation to frontline staff fighting the outbreak, as thousands of doctors, nurses, caregivers and social workers join the battle to protect communities and save lives.

Following the launch of a similar initiative in Italy last week, Airbnb will help connect hosts willing to offer their place for free to medical staff in need of a place to stay close to their place of work. The company will waive all fees for the stays and will give EUR 50 (USD 54.22) to hosts to help with cleaning costs.

Emmanuel Marill, director in France at Airbnb said: “Unprecedented times call for an unprecedented response and as the world unites to fight the coronavirus outbreak, we have made it our priority as a community to provide what support we can. By standing with our host community to offer free accommodation for caregivers and social workers, we hope we can help heroic professionals on the frontlines as they work to protect us all and save lives.”

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Airbnb launches USD 1 million fund for world’s most unique home ideas https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-launches-usd-1-million-fund-for-worlds-most-unique-home-ideas/ Tue, 17 Mar 2020 08:32:25 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=544869 The post Airbnb launches USD 1 million fund for world’s most unique home ideas appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb is searching for the world’s wildest home ideas – and has launched a USD 1 million fund to make them a reality. The Unique Airbnb Fund is the company’s first-ever USD 1 million programme designed to find and help finance the most unconventional and unusual livable spaces on the planet. Ten recipients of the […]

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The post Airbnb launches USD 1 million fund for world’s most unique home ideas appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb is searching for the world’s wildest home ideas – and has launched a USD 1 million fund to make them a reality. The Unique Airbnb Fund is the company’s first-ever USD 1 million programme designed to find and help finance the most unconventional and unusual livable spaces on the planet.

Ten recipients of the fund will be selected by an expert panel of design and style innovators, including Emmy, Tony and GRAMMY award-winning actor Billy Porter, Airbnb superhost Kristie Wolfe, of the famed Big Idaho Potato Hotel and global and cutting-edge architecture firm MVRDV.

Design enthusiasts can submit their proposals at its portal. All submissions will be scored against criteria based on creativity, feasibility, sustainability and social good. Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the company’s three co-founders, the Unique Airbnb Fund is meant to enable anyone with an extraordinary house idea to design and build it into a reality, and share it with travellers all over the world.

“The only thing better than pushing the boundaries of style, is empowering others to do the same,” said style icon Billy Porter. Searches for unexpected and unique spaces – such as shepherds huts, windmills and tiny houses – have increased by nearly 70% over last year on Airbnb.

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Airbnb tweaks refund policy https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-tweaks-refund-policy/ Thu, 12 Mar 2020 09:30:45 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=543314 The post Airbnb tweaks refund policy appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb is making adjustments to its refund policy in an attempt to balance the needs of hosts and guests on its home-sharing site amid the global coronavirus outbreak that has severely reduced travel demand. As it operates as an online platform — connecting people who want to rent out all or part of their home […]

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Airbnb is making adjustments to its refund policy in an attempt to balance the needs of hosts and guests on its home-sharing site amid the global coronavirus outbreak that has severely reduced travel demand.

As it operates as an online platform — connecting people who want to rent out all or part of their home with travellers seeking accommodations — it’s choosing to take a lighter touch with hosts.

The San Francisco-based startup said it will reward hosts who are more flexible or generous on offering refunds. The company will offer promotions for those listings to drive new bookings and will waive the standard 3% host fee on new reservations for those listings through 1 June.

“When a crisis like coronavirus hits, we know both hosts and guests are affected,” Airbnb said in a statement. “Hosts lose earnings that they rely on to make ends meet. Guests are losing hard earned vacation savings.”

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Pack your trunk (err, bags)! Historic, elephant-sized stay along the Jersey Shore https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/pack-your-trunk-err-bags-historic-elephant-sized-stay-along-the-jersey-shore/ Mon, 02 Mar 2020 03:15:23 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=538973 The post Pack your trunk (err, bags)! Historic, elephant-sized stay along the Jersey Shore appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Three lucky Airbnb guests and their friends will have the chance to stay inside Lucy the Elephant, one of the first and only National Historic Landmarks now on Airbnb. A tribute to the golden age of roadside Americana, Lucy was built in 1881 and is older than the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower […]

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Three lucky Airbnb guests and their friends will have the chance to stay inside Lucy the Elephant, one of the first and only National Historic Landmarks now on Airbnb. A tribute to the golden age of roadside Americana, Lucy was built in 1881 and is older than the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Starting on 5 March, long-time Lucy fans — or anyone who has had the Jersey Shore on their travel bucket list — can book a stay inside Lucy’s storied walls, which will take place on 17, 18 or 19 March. Each of the three one-night overnight stays is priced at USD 138, to honour the number of years Lucy has served as a New Jersey Shore icon.

Standing a regal six stories high, Lucy calls Margate, New Jersey, home — a tight-knit community that has proven its resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and that couldn’t be prouder of its unofficial ‘mascot.’ She hosted her first stay in 1902 and over the years, she’s been a tavern and even hosted former US President Woodrow Wilson.

During the Airbnb stay — which is modelled after what Lucy’s interior would have looked like when she was briefly a summer vacation home in the early 20th century — guests will take a journey through her fascinating history.

They will also have the chance to experience the best of what the Jersey Shore has to offer, from delicious meals by top local chefs to scenic ocean views. And Lucy’s human counterpart, Richard Helfant, executive director of the Save Lucy Committee — the organisation that restored and preserved Lucy for the past 50 years — will be on hand to share his memories of the majestic structure and offer local tips.

To celebrate this historic stay, Airbnb will make a donation to the Save Lucy Committee, supporting efforts to keep Lucy the Elephant standing ‘Jersey strong’ so new generations can visit for years to come.

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STAA welcomes three new members https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/staa-welcomes-three-new-members/ Mon, 27 Jan 2020 06:10:20 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=534261 The post STAA welcomes three new members appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), the trade body representing the short-term rental sector, has announced that it has welcomed three new affiliate members to its ranks – Touch Stay, a digital guest welcome book provider; Airlinen, a short-term rental linen provider; and Elina, a provider of property management software. The new members have […]

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The UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), the trade body representing the short-term rental sector, has announced that it has welcomed three new affiliate members to its ranks – Touch Stay, a digital guest welcome book provider; Airlinen, a short-term rental linen provider; and Elina, a provider of property management software.

The new members have further broadened the association’s membership base and will allow the STAA to better represent the sector moving forward. It now has 29 members in total that includes some of the largest platform operators in the UK such as AirBnB and HomeAway as well as many companies that provide specific services to the growing short-term rental sector.

Merilee Karr, CEO of UnderTheDoormat and chair of the STAA said: “It’s great to be able to welcome three new members to our Association. It clearly shows the diversity of businesses that are now operating in the short-term rental sector and how significantly it is growing. Our new members will help us to have a more powerful voice on the issues that affect the sector and will add further weight to our aim of growing the short-term rental sector in a responsible and sustainable way.”

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Chinese New Year: Group travel explodes in 2020 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/chinese-new-year-family-family-group-travel-explodes-in-2020/ Thu, 16 Jan 2020 06:42:37 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=533211 The post Chinese New Year: Group travel explodes in 2020 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year season, Airbnb reveals a surge in family travel during the holidays that boosts tourism in the region. Travellers choose to travel with their loved ones this festive season: 85% of APAC travellers will embark on trips with their families during the holidays, more than the past 12 months’ […]

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The post Chinese New Year: Group travel explodes in 2020 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year season, Airbnb reveals a surge in family travel during the holidays that boosts tourism in the region.

Travellers choose to travel with their loved ones this festive season: 85% of APAC travellers will
embark on trips with their families during the holidays, more than the past 12 months’ average
of 61%, and most are choosing to travel overseas — overseas travel by APAC residents is up
74% year-over-year during the Chinese New Year period.

APAC guests maximize their family reunion time as trips booked during the Chinese New Year
holidays are 280% longer than the average trip. While Thai families typically travel together for
four days during this period, Singaporean families take the longest break as their average trip lasts for 10 days, followed by Hongkongers, who plan to take off for at least one week on average this holiday season.

Thailand Popular with APAC Travellers

Phang Nga Bay, Krabi, Thailand

As APAC guests prepare to explore the region, Thailand is a popular outbound destination for
families this Chinese New Year. Here are the top origins of APAC travellers to Thailand this holiday season:
1. China
2. Hong Kong
3. Taiwan
4. Malaysia

Thais prepare for family adventures

Osaka

During Chinese New Year, 76% of Thai travellers will be travelling internationally and mostly
in groups (79%). The top five destinations for Thai travellers during Chinese New Year 2020 are:
1. Osaka, Japan
2. Chiang Mai, Thailand
3. Tokyo, Japan
4. Bangkok, Thailand
5. Seoul, Korea

The Chinese New Year feasting tradition lives on as food and drink-related experiences are the
most popular for Thai families during the holidays, followed by nature, history, sports and entertainment.

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Thai tourists top travel trends at NYE https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/thai-tourists-top-travel-trends-at-nye/ Tue, 24 Dec 2019 05:22:47 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=530906 The post Thai tourists top travel trends at NYE appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

With 2019 drawing to a close, the number crunchers at Airbnb has collated and analysed the data from millions of transactions to find out exactly where Thais prefer to celebrate New Year. Most popular overseas destinations for Thais With increased flight connectivity and a growing middle class, more and more Thais are travelling overseas to […]

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With 2019 drawing to a close, the number crunchers at Airbnb has collated and analysed the data from millions of transactions to find out exactly where Thais prefer to celebrate New Year.

Most popular overseas destinations for Thais

Hokkaido

With increased flight connectivity and a growing middle class, more and more Thais are travelling overseas to explore new destinations and new cultures. On New Year’s Eve holiday, the most booked international destination by Thai travellers based on growth in guest arrivals from last year is Seoul, South Korea.

While Seoul is the most popular, growth of travel to Japan is rising with Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido all making the top five trending international destinations for Thai travellers this New Year’s Eve, based on guest arrival growth. Here’s the full list:

  1. London (164% growth y-o-y)
  2. Shanghai (162% growth y-o-y)
  3. Tokyo (87% growth y-o-y)
  4. Osaka (70% growth y-o-y)
  5. Hokkaido (61% y-o-y)

Most popular domestic destinations 

Chiang Mai

For those opting to stay home and explore Thailand, the cool mountains of northern Thailand are the most popular this New Year’s Eve with Chiang Mai being the most popular domestic destination for Thai travellers.

Chiang Mai has also experienced the highest growth rate, with bookings up 90% year-over-year. The top three trending domestic destinations for Thai travellers are:

  1. Chiang Mai (90% y-o-y growth)
  2. Phuket (82% y-o-y growth)
  3. Bangkok (64% y-o-y growth)

Most popular destinations in Thailand

Angthong national marine park, koh Samui

Combining both domestic and international Airbnb booking data, it’s clear that the allure of the city and it’s large-scale end-of-year celebrations has helped to make Bangkok the most booked Thai destination on Airbnb this New Year’s Eve.

The top 5 most-booked Thai destinations this NYE

Bangkok
  1. Bangkok
  2. Chiang Mai
  3. Pattaya
  4. Phuket
  5. Samui

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STAA responds positively to European Court of Justice ruling on Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/staa-responds-positively-to-european-court-of-justice-ruling-on-airbnb/ Tue, 24 Dec 2019 01:30:24 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=530879 The post STAA responds positively to European Court of Justice ruling on Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA) has welcomed the ruling by the European Court of Justice about clarifying Airbnb’s status as an Information Society Services (ISS) provider and not a real estate agent. Merilee Karr, chair of STAA said: “We welcome the clarification by the European Court of Justice about Airbnb’s status as an […]

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The post STAA responds positively to European Court of Justice ruling on Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA) has welcomed the ruling by the European Court of Justice about clarifying Airbnb’s status as an Information Society Services (ISS) provider and not a real estate agent.

Merilee Karr, chair of STAA said: “We welcome the clarification by the European Court of Justice about Airbnb’s status as an ISS provider and not a real estate agent. This provides a much greater degree of certainty and confidence for those of our members operating similar platforms, now that a legal precedent has been set.”

“For those of our members based in the UK with Brexit ahead, these rules will apply for at least another year during the transition period contained within the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and may be longer lasting,” Karr added.

For short term rental hosts and guests, there is little direct impact. The sector remains regulated in the UK, but from now on it will be unlawful to be made subject to additional regulations that currently apply to real estate providers. The UK government maintains the ability to regulate the home-sharing sector in the years ahead and the STAA looks forward to working together with stakeholders to ensure that this happens in a balanced and proportionate way.

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Airbnb is on its way to becoming a hotel company https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-is-on-its-way-to-becoming-a-hotel-company/ Tue, 10 Dec 2019 01:43:05 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=529675 The post Airbnb is on its way to becoming a hotel company appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

After disrupting the billion-dollar hotel industry, Airbnb is slowly straying away from its roots of listing private houses and rooms to becoming more of a hotel company.

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After disrupting the billion-dollar hotel industry, Airbnb is slowly straying away from its roots of listing private houses and rooms to becoming more of a hotel company.

Airbnb is partnering with Newgard Development Group to open a 48-story tower in Miami called Natiivo that will feature 412 condos and 192 hotel rooms — all of which will be listed and can be rented out via Airbnb.

Natiivo, which will open in 2020, claims to be the first property to be designed specifically for home-sharing. Airbnb-branded towers are rising in cities like Miami, Austin, Nashville, and Orlando. Natiivo towers are not owned by the tech company, but Airbnb will be a branded partner and provide consultation on interior design.

Airbnb currently has more than seven million listings in 191 countries, is looking more and more like a hotel company. The company is looking into doing a spring cleaning of its listings. Last month, CEO Brian Chesky announced that the company would conduct a comprehensive review of every single one of its listings to verify their accuracy and safety standards.

More boutique hotels listed their rooms in Airbnb after the company announced in early 2018 that it was making it make it easier for boutique hotels to list their rooms on the site and hotels saw a jump in bookings.

Moreover, Airbnb bought HotelTonight, an app for getting discounts on hotel rooms through last-minute bookings earlier this year and started adding the app’s hotel partners to Airbnb’s platform. All of these moves are moving away from Airbnb’s original business as a platform that connects travellers to people willing to open up their homes to strangers.

Airbnb is riding the wave of companies offering hybrid accommodations that combine elements of hotels and private homes like Sonder, Lyric, and Blueground. These companies aim to merge the cosiness of private homes and standards of a hotel.

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B&B owners across the UK worry about ‘Airbnb effect’ https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-effect-uk/ Tue, 26 Nov 2019 01:50:32 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=528809 The post B&B owners across the UK worry about ‘Airbnb effect’ appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

New research has revealed nearly half (47%) of B&B owners across the UK are nervous about oversupply in the market due to Airbnb and budget hotels.

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Bed and breakfast - Airbnb effect

New research from Direct Line for Business has revealed nearly half (47%) of B&B owners across the UK are nervous about oversupply in the market due to Airbnb and budget hotels.

Direct Line for Business has revealed B&B and guest house owners across the UK are worried about the impact Airbnb and budget hotels are having on their business. Nearly half (47%) are nervous about oversupply in the market in the next 12 months as a result of more Airbnb options and the growth of the budget hotel sector.

B&B owners are also concerned about the impact of regulation, with nearly a quarter (22%) believing B&Bs are stifled by over-regulation. All B&B owners need to ensure that their business follows strict regulations, whether it be for obvious things such as fire safety, food standards and alcohol licences or ones you might not expect including television and music licences.

“Level the playing-field of enforcement”

David Weston, chairman of the Bed & Breakfast Association said: “B&B owners are dedicated to their businesses and go above and beyond to provide an outstanding service to their guests. The B&B Association welcomes competition but is working with the government to level the playing-field of enforcement so all our guests are protected. Owning and operating a traditional B&B remains an ambition for many Brits looking to move into the hospitality industry.”

On average, B&B owners are anticipating a 55% occupancy rate over the next 12 months.

For their business to continue to be financially viable, B&B owners need occupancy of 49%. This means B&B owners are expecting to be very close to the mark in financial viability, with one major event or emergency likely to have a significant negative impact. In fact, one in six (16%) B&B owners are anticipating a shortfall in occupancy over the next 12 months.

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Live like a ‘Maharaja’: City Palace of Jaipur now on Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-live-like-a-maharaja/ Tue, 12 Nov 2019 04:38:30 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=527718 The post Live like a ‘Maharaja’: City Palace of Jaipur now on Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Jaipur’s Royal Family becomes Airbnb’s first 'Royal Hosts' as their family home, the City Palace of Jaipur, becomes available on the home-sharing platform.

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Airbnb - Maharaja 1

Jaipur’s Royal Family becomes Airbnb’s first ‘Royal Hosts’ as their family home, the City Palace of Jaipur, becomes available on the home-sharing platform.

From 23 November 2019, the Gudliya Suite at the City Palace will become accessible to outside guests and will be available to book for the first time ever on Airbnb. His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh will become the first Maharaja to offer a stay at his palace on Airbnb, in order to help support the women’s empowerment initiatives of the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation.

“The splendour of Rajasthan to life”

“I’m thrilled that my family and I are partnering with Airbnb to bring the splendour of Rajasthan to life for travellers from around the world,” said His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh.

“My own travels with Airbnb have made me feel very welcome in new cities and cultures, and I’m happy that the experience of quintessential Indian hospitality will be shared with others.”

Airbnb - Maharaja 2

The 300-year-old City Palace of Jaipur, home to Jaipur’s Royal Family, has played host to numerous guests over the centuries. Steeped in history, and located in the heart of Jaipur, capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan, the City Palace is one of India’s most iconic buildings.

Guests will be able to book and stay in the luxurious Gudliya Suite, located within one of the private sections of a royal palace that, until now, has been used for the royals and their special guests. The Suite includes its own lounge, kitchen, luxurious bathroom and private, indoor swimming pool.

Proceeds from each booking will go to the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women in rural areas and artisans in Rajasthan.

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Airbnb now accessible in twice as many languages https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-doubles-languages/ Tue, 05 Nov 2019 03:21:03 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=527254 The post Airbnb now accessible in twice as many languages appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has doubled the number of languages in which hosts and guests can use the platform, now supporting 62 languages around the world.

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Airbnb, the world’s largest online marketplace for unique and authentic places to stay and things to do, offers over 7 million accommodations and 40,000 handcrafted activities, all powered by local hosts.

Approximately six guests check into an Airbnb listing every second. And these check-ins are happening around the world: In 2011, there were 12 cities with more than 1,000 Airbnb listings; today, nearly 1,000 cities have more than 1,000 Airbnb listings.

Similarly, in 2011 only one city welcomed over 100,000 guest arrivals in Airbnb listings, but in the past year, more than 300 cities have welcomed over 100,000 guest arrivals.

While Airbnb is already used in more than 191 countries and regions around the world, the company is constantly working to make its platform accessible to more people, from Albanian to Zulu.

Today, the platform is doubling the number of languages in which hosts and guests can use Airbnb.

Now supporting 62 languages around the world, the Airbnb platform is accessible to more than 4 billion native speakers. With these new languages, Airbnb is working to bring economic opportunity to even more hosts, and making it easier for more guests to experience travel that is local, authentic and unique.

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Tiqets raises USD 60 million led by Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/tiqets-raises-usd-60-million-led-by-airbnb/ Thu, 31 Oct 2019 01:21:53 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=526979 The post Tiqets raises USD 60 million led by Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Tiqets announced its series C financing of USD 60 million led by Airbnb with continued support from prior lead investors HPE Growth Capital and Investion. With this new funding, the company plans to invest in initiatives that accelerate its growth, build richer experiences for customers and create better tools for its venue partners — all […]

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Luuc Elzinga, co-founder and CEO of Tiqets

Tiqets announced its series C financing of USD 60 million led by Airbnb with continued support from prior lead investors HPE Growth Capital and Investion. With this new funding, the company plans to invest in initiatives that accelerate its growth, build richer experiences for customers and create better tools for its venue partners — all in line with its vision of making culture more accessible for all.

The platform for booking tickets for museums and attractions has connected millions of people to thousands of venues in over 60 countries around the world.

“Travelers are seeking out a diverse range of experiences when they visit a new city. The Tiqets team has effectively used new technology to connect travellers to communities and we are excited to support their work,” said Philippe Magid, art and culture director at Airbnb.

“The objective of Tiqets is to bring a larger number of people more frequently into the greatest venues around the world. We look forward to delivering great experiences to even more travellers now,” said Luuc Elzinga, co-founder and CEO of Tiqets.

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20 for 2020: Airbnb’s top destinations to visit next year https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-top-destinations-2020/ Tue, 29 Oct 2019 02:07:31 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=526632 The post 20 for 2020: Airbnb’s top destinations to visit next year appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Looking ahead to travel planning for next year, Airbnb is forecasting a growing interest in lesser-known and eco-conscious destinations across the world.

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Looking ahead to travel planning for next year, Airbnb is forecasting a growing interest in lesser-known and eco-conscious destinations across the world.

Ranging from post-industrial culture hubs like Milwaukee and Guadalajara to emerging destinations that are benefiting from an increase in sustainable tourism — this year’s list is full of surprises and hidden gems.

Airbnb’s research also shows that some of the top trending locales are cities and regions that are preparing for big events like the 2020 Mars Exploration Program launching from Cape Canaveral and the many surf competitions happening in Ubatuba, Brazil.

Milwaukee, WI, US (729% YoY increase)

Airbnb top destinations - Milwaukee
Downtown skyline with Buildings along the Milwaukee River, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The host of next year’s Democratic National Convention, Milwaukee makes it to the top of Airbnb’s trending list. This historic gem on the shores of Lake Michigan often slips under the radar but has a terrific bar and restaurant scene and fascinating cultural attractions that include a Calatrava-designed art museum. And with over 105 miles of scenic bike lanes, it’s easy to see why Milwaukee is experiencing an upsurge in interest among guests on Airbnb.

Bilbao, Spain (402% YoY increase)

Airbnb top destinations - Spain
Street in Portugalete, Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao’s transformation from rust belt city to flourishing culture hub is truly remarkable. The city’s Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum put Bilbao on the map when it opened back in 1997. Since then the Basque city has been on an ever-upward ascent, winning the European City of the Year in 2018.

Visitors to the area are rewarded with a lively dining scene, breathtaking architecture and an unforgettable cityscape. Next year, Bilbao will also become a top destination for sports fans: it’s one of the host cities of Europe’s most beloved soccer competition.

Buriram, Thailand (383% YoY increase)

Airbnb top detinations - Thailand
Phanom Rung Castle in Buriram Thailand

The rural province of Buriram is home to some of Thailand’s most treasured Khmer relics. Its best-known monument is the incredible Phanom Rung complex which is comparable in grandeur to its much more famous Cambodian neighbour, Angkor Wat.

In addition to ancient ruins, the province has also become a sporting hotspot: 2018 saw the inaugural MotoGP motor racing event at the Chang International Circuit which also plays host to the Buriram Marathon each year. MotoGP is scheduled to return in March next year.

Airbnb’s 20 top destinations for 2020:

  1. Milwaukee, WI, US
  2. Bilbao, Spain
  3. Buriram, Thailand
  4. Sunbury, Victoria, Australia
  5. Romania
  6. Xi’an, China
  7. Eugene, OR, US
  8. Luxembourg
  9. Guadalajara, Mexico
  10. Vanuatu
  11. Cali, Colombia
  12. Cape Canaveral, FL, US
  13. Aberdeen, Scotland
  14. Courtenay, BC, Canada
  15. Ubatuba, Brazil
  16. Les Contamines – Montjoie, France
  17. Tokyo, Japan
  18. Kerala, India
  19. Malindi, Kenya
  20. Maastricht, Netherlands

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Downtown skyline with Buildings along the Milwaukee River Downtown skyline with Buildings along the Milwaukee River, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Street in Portugalete, Bilbao, Spain Street in Portugalete, Bilbao, Spain. Phanom Rung Castle in Buriram Thailand Phanom Rung Castle in Buriram Thailand.
One night only: Highclere Castle is now on Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/highclere-castle-on-airbnb/ Mon, 21 Oct 2019 01:00:33 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=525549 The post One night only: Highclere Castle is now on Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

For one night only, Highclere Castle will open its doors to two guests, giving them the opportunity to immerse in the iconic location.

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For one night only, Highclere Castle will open its doors to two guests, giving them the opportunity to immerse in the iconic location.

In celebration of the motion picture Downton Abbey, booking for the listing is now open exclusively on Airbnb. The one-night stay will be on 26 November 2019 and includes a private tour of the castle and its grounds, as well as a traditional breakfast and dinner. In addition, coffee will be served in the library before the guests retire to one of the principal bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom and views over 1,000 acres of rolling parkland.

“An incredibly rich history”

Lady Carnarvon, host on Airbnb commented: “It’s an absolute privilege and pleasure to call Highclere Castle my home and I’m delighted to be able to share it on Airbnb for a truly unique stay. Highclere Castle has been in the Carnarvon family since 1679 and has an incredibly rich history. I’m passionate about the stories and heritage of Highclere Castle, and I’m looking forward to welcoming our future guests.”

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle covers 100,000 square feet and has a total of 300 rooms. It is opulently decorated and furnished, with each detail providing a unique insight into Highclere Castle’s history. Guests will get the opportunity to explore iconic rooms, such as the Drawing Room, or relax in one of the Gallery bedrooms, following in the footsteps of kings and queens.

“The ultimate Downton Abbey experience”

Hadi Moussa, general manager for Northern Europe Airbnb commented: “We’re thrilled to be able to offer fans the ultimate Downton Abbey experience through this once-in-a-lifetime-stay at Highclere Castle.

“At Airbnb, we are passionate about offering unique and unforgettable travel experiences to our community, and we’re certain that guests will have a magical experience while staying on the iconic location of Downton Abbey.”

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Hello four legged friend! Airbnb unveils Animal Experiences https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/hello-four-legged-friend-airbnb-unveils-animal-experiences/ Mon, 07 Oct 2019 02:02:56 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=522947 The post Hello four legged friend! Airbnb unveils Animal Experiences appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Booking platform Airbnb has now unveiled Airbnb Animal Experiences – a brand new category of Airbnb Experiences that allow people to better understand animals through caring, expert hosts and set a new standard for animal tourism. With 1,000 experiences co-hosted by over 300 species and their human advocates, guests can now learn the art of […]

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Booking platform Airbnb has now unveiled Airbnb Animal Experiences – a brand new category of Airbnb Experiences that allow people to better understand animals through caring, expert hosts and set a new standard for animal tourism. With 1,000 experiences co-hosted by over 300 species and their human advocates, guests can now learn the art of horse whispering, paddleboard with corgis, kayak with conservationists, learn alongside urban beekeepers or skateboard with a world record-winning bulldog.

Airbnb Animal Experiences offers a fresh new way to connect with animals near and far, so that even busy urbanites can reconnect with the natural world through hiking with rescue dogs, chilling out with alpacas or cuddling cows. Guests will meet animals in places that allow for gentle observation and bring a sense of connection far beyond animal selfies or performances. For those seeking more adventure, guests can discover arctic foxes or even help rescue puppies lost within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

Joining more than 40,000 experiences available across 1,000 cities worldwide, Airbnb Animal Experiences are underpinned by a new, industry-leading animal welfare policy, created in collaboration with World Animal Protection.

“With technology taking up so much of our lives, it’s easy to feel disconnected from nature and animals,” said Brian Chesky, CEO and co-founder of Airbnb. “Maybe this is why social media is dominated by animal memes. Life is better with animals, but for many busy people, looking at them through a screen is the closest they can get. With this new initiative, locals and travellers are just a few clicks away from being alongside them in the real world,” he added.

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Airbnb announces latest community-led destination marketing efforts in Buriram https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-announces-latest-community-led-destination-marketing-efforts-in-buriram/ Wed, 25 Sep 2019 13:21:13 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=521088 The post Airbnb announces latest community-led destination marketing efforts in Buriram appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Ahead of World Tourism Day this week, Airbnb reaffirmed its commitment to continue promoting Thailand’s emerging destinations on the global stage, with its latest community-led destination marketing campaign in Buriram, Thailand. Mich Goh, head of public policy for Southeast Asia at Airbnb and Siraphop Duangsodsri, advisor to the minister of tourism and sports jointly launched […]

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Ahead of World Tourism Day this week, Airbnb reaffirmed its commitment to continue promoting Thailand’s emerging destinations on the global stage, with its latest community-led destination marketing campaign in Buriram, Thailand.

Mich Goh, head of public policy for Southeast Asia at Airbnb and Siraphop Duangsodsri, advisor to the minister of tourism and sports jointly launched the campaign, titled ‘Sustainable Travel with Airbnb: Beyond Big Cities’. The video features Buriram’s unique local attractions and way of life, as seen through the eyes of Airbnb’s passionate host community.

The video, which will run on Airbnb’s global platforms, aims to promote and drive both domestic and international travel to emerging destinations in Thailand. The global end-to-end hospitality company has plans to expand its destination marketing efforts to other emerging destinations in the country, including Saraburi’s Nong Saeng and Sao Hai districts.

Ahead of the upcoming Buriram MotoGP 2019, the company announced new data showing that travellers to Buriram are increasingly turning to Airbnb for accommodation for key tourism events in the city.

During this year’s Buriram MotoGP, the Airbnb host community in Buriram will welcome over 430 guests from more than 100 cities around the world into their homes and communities, a 96% year-on-year increase.

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Love a staycation? Airbnb reveals strong trend amongst UAE residents https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/love-a-staycation-airbnb-reveals-strong-trend-amongst-uae-residents/ Thu, 19 Sep 2019 09:31:51 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=520292 The post Love a staycation? Airbnb reveals strong trend amongst UAE residents appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

More and more UAE nationals and residents prefer staycations, even during the hottest months. Crunching three-months’ worth of numbers from 22 May-22 August (a key booking period for travellers around the world), Airbnb has identified the growth of staycations and domestic travel from residents within the United Arab Emirates as the number one summer trend. […]

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More and more UAE nationals and residents prefer staycations, even during the hottest months. Crunching three-months’ worth of numbers from 22 May-22 August (a key booking period for travellers around the world), Airbnb has identified the growth of staycations and domestic travel from residents within the United Arab Emirates as the number one summer trend.

Following Airbnb’s Arabic website launch earlier this summer, the data indicates growth across the region. Ras Al Khaimah is proving popular with a 66% boost in year-on-year summer visitor numbers to stays on the online platform while there was a 59% growth during the same period for stays in Dubai.

Being able to access the website and app in native Arabic provides added incentive for guests travelling from the MENA region to the UAE with Saudi Arabia visitors topping the list of foreign nationalities booking stays on Airbnb, followed by the US and the UK.

As of 1 January this year in the UAE, 10,000 listings were available on the Airbnb platform and hosts in the UAE welcomed more than 145,000 guests from around the world.

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Travel tech this week: From staycation to golf tourism https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/travel-tech-this-week-september-19-2019/ Thu, 19 Sep 2019 04:19:45 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=520257 The post Travel tech this week: From staycation to golf tourism appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

This week, Airbnb has revealed staycation trends in MENA region, while TripAdvisor has released a transparency report. Lastly, stat-up golfscape has launced in Ireland enhancing the country’s golf tourism.

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This week, Airbnb has revealed staycation trends in MENA region, while TripAdvisor has released a transparency report. Lastly, stat-up golfscape has launced in Ireland enhancing the country’s golf tourism.

Love staycation?

More and more UAE nationals and residents prefer staycations, even during the hottest months. Crunching three-months’ worth of numbers from 22 May to 22 August (a key booking period for travellers around the world), the online platform has identified the growth of staycations and domestic travel from residents within the United Arab Emirates as the number one summer trend.

Following Airbnb’s Arabic Website launch earlier this summer, this data indicates growth across the region: Ras Al Khaimah is proving popular with a 66% boost in year-on-year summer visitor numbers to stays on Airbnb, while there was a 59% growth during the same period for stays in Dubai.

Being able to access the website and App in native Arabic provides added incentive for guests travelling from the MENA region to the UAE with KSA visitors topping the list of foreign nationalities booking stays on Airbnb, followed by the United States and United Kingdom.

List of visitors to the UAE by country of booking (Summer 2019)*:

  1. United Arab Emirates
  2. Saudi Arabia
  3. United States
  4. United Kingdom
  5. France
  6. India
  7. China
  8. Australia
  9. Germany
  10. Canada

Honesty is the best policy

TripAdvisor has published its first-ever Review Transparency Report, revealing never-before-shared details about its review moderation processes, as well as statistical data on the volume of fake review attempts targeted at the platform in 2018.

The report, which analysed a full year’s worth of data on reviews submitted by the global travel community, revealed the overall volume of reviews submitted to TripAdvisor in 2018. It details the multi-layered approach TripAdvisor takes to ensure reviews posted on its pages comply with the site’s guidelines. The report also provides a detailed breakdown of the proportion of reviews that were either blocked or removed.

“Ensuring that TripAdvisor is a trusted platform for our users and listed businesses is a top priority. We’ve continued to make advancements to our industry-leading fraud detection efforts in recent years, but it’s a daily battle and we are far from complacent,” said Becky Foley, senior director of trust & safety at TripAdvisor. “While we are winning the fight against fake reviews on TripAdvisor, we can only protect our corner of the Internet. As long as other review platforms aren’t taking aggressive action, then fraudsters will continue to exploit and extort small businesses for cash. It is time other platforms like Google and Facebook stepped up to the plate to join us in tackling this problem head-on.”

Travel planning on computer

Some of the key findings in the report are:

  • 66 million reviews were submitted to TripAdvisor in 2018 by the global travel community. Every one was analysed using advanced fraud detection technology, and 2.7 million were subject to additional human assessment by content moderators.
  • 7% of all review submissions were rejected or removed by either TripAdvisor’s advanced analysis technology or manually by the content moderation team. There are a number of reasons why TripAdvisor rejects or removes reviews, ranging from guideline violations to instances of review fraud.
  • Only a small fraction of all review submissions — 2.1% — were determined to be fraudulent, and the vast majority of those (73%) were blocked before they were ever posted.
  • This equated to over 1 million fake reviews that were prevented from being displayed on TripAdvisor.
  • Fewer than 1% of reviews were flagged by users or businesses for potentially violating TripAdvisor guidelines. TripAdvisor’s content moderation team reviewed most of these community reports within six hours of them being submitted.
  • 34,643 businesses were subject to a ranking penalty, which is a reduction of a property’s position within the popularity or traveller ranking. Ranking penalties are applied when a business is caught attempting to post fake reviews.

Golf tourism

Following the success of its European expansion earlier this year, golfscape announced today its launch in Ireland. The fast-growing golf tech business has integrated with multiple courses on the Emerald Isle to expose the region’s world-class facilities to an international user base. The first and only worldwide tee time booking platform is making golf easier to book for both local and international players by moving courses online to increase accessibility while supporting the area’s rapid growth in golf tourism.

Earlier this year, the Irish Times highlighted the importance of golf tourism in a feature revealing that more than 200,000 overseas visitors play golf in Ireland every year. Golf plays a significant role in Irish tourism, resulting in considerable increases in the hospitality sector. International golfers are estimated to contribute almost €270 million to the Irish economy, with up to 50% of them coming from the United States.

“We are driving our international user base to Ireland and accelerating the growth of overseas visitors to the area. We are supported by a global team of talent that continues expanding to benefit our partner courses,” said golfscape CEO Raghad Mukhaimer. “Our unique expertise will play a key role in promoting the region abroad to achieve Ireland’s goal of growing international tourism. Players all over the world can book golf online as easily as they book hotels and flights on Expedia.”

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Upcycled spaces: Airbnb stays at ‘eco-friendly homes’ increased by 141% https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/upcycled-spaces-airbnb/ Mon, 16 Sep 2019 01:21:16 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=519760 The post Upcycled spaces: Airbnb stays at ‘eco-friendly homes’ increased by 141% appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

As sustainable tourism becomes more important than ever, hosts and guests on Airbnb are making significant changes to support environmentally conscious travel.

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Unique Cob Cottage, Mayne Island, Canada
Unique Cob Cottage, Mayne Island, Canada

As sustainable tourism becomes more important than ever, hosts and guests on Airbnb are making significant changes to support environmentally conscious travel. 

According to data released by Airbnb, the number of stays at eco-friendly homes increased by 141% over the last year, and more hosts are sharing green spaces than ever before, with more than 364,000 sustainable stays now on the platform.

Furthermore, in 2018, travel to off-the-beaten-track destinations in Thailand grew by 53% year-on-year. This growth is powered by travellers increasingly seeking more local, unique and authentic experiences (based on Airbnb internal data of year-on-year growth of guest arrivals to Thailand for the period of January to December 2018).

Riverside House, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Riverside House, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

The data confirms the growing green trend on Airbnb — hosts sharing homes made from recycled or upcycled materials like glass bottles, tires and even recycled denim. Spaces built with upcycled materials have increased by 175% over the last four years.

“Making a huge difference”

“We have always believed that the Airbnb community supports environmental sustainability around the world, and it’s truly amazing to see that the impact is even bigger than we could have imagined,” said Joe Gebbia, chief product officer and co-founder of Airbnb.

“In North America alone, Airbnb guests use 63% less energy than hotel guests — that’s enough energy to power 19,000 homes for one year. With an impact that big, it’s clear that the Airbnb community is making a huge difference.”

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Unique Cob Cottage, Mayne Island, Canada Unique Cob Cottage, Mayne Island, Canada Riverside House, Kanchanaburi, Thailand Riverside House, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Philippines’ tax agency eyes Airbnbs as fresh source of income https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/philippines-tax-agency-targets-airbnbs/ Wed, 28 Aug 2019 01:06:53 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=517998 The post Philippines’ tax agency eyes Airbnbs as fresh source of income appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has become a popular alternative to expensive hotels for a day of “staycation”. Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is turning to Airbnbs as the new source of additional revenue.

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Airbnb has become a popular alternative to expensive hotels for a day of “staycation”. Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is turning to Airbnbs as the new source of additional revenue.

BIR’s deputy commissioner Marissa Cabreros said that one of the reasons why Airbnbs are cheaper is that some of them might not be paying the correct taxes.

“It’s part of those ‘think-outside-the-box’ initiative of our RDOs [revenue district offices]—look for new sources of revenue, that’s one of them. However, as to how and whether they are successful in doing it, how many have they found leasing [through Airbnb], I don’t have data,” she said.

BIR had already issued regulations on online businesses saying “they are required to register.” However, Cabreros claimed that going after Airbnbs may pose a challenge as the tech company does not require registration. Therefore, it is difficult to monitor all property owners that are leasing their accommodations.

The Philippines is not the first country to impose taxes on Airbnbs, several cities and countries attempt to regulate short-term rentals by imposing taxes. As another effect of Airbnb expansion is the loss of tax revenue, many cities impose relatively steep taxes on short-term lodging, hoping to obtain revenue from out-of-town travellers to spend on local residents.

The most common and straightforward of these revenue raisers is a tax on traditional hotel rooms. If Airbnb expansion comes at the expense of traditional hotels, and if the apparatus for collecting taxes from Airbnb or its hosts is less well-developed than the apparatus for collecting taxes from traditional hotels, this could harm city revenues.

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Airbnb creates K-pop themed experiences for Thais https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-crates-k-pop-themed-experiences-for-thai/ Fri, 16 Aug 2019 07:53:32 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=516717 The post Airbnb creates K-pop themed experiences for Thais appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb Experiences is inviting Thais to take their love of Korea to the next level with the launch of Airbnb’s K-pop and K-beauty Experiences. Tourists can now book immersive and unique Airbnb Experiences to explore Korea’s electrifying K-pop scene alongside local musicians and professional dance instructors, or pick up the latest K-beauty tips from local […]

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Airbnb Experiences is inviting Thais to take their love of Korea to the next level with the launch of Airbnb’s K-pop and K-beauty Experiences.

Tourists can now book immersive and unique Airbnb Experiences to explore Korea’s electrifying K-pop scene alongside local musicians and professional dance instructors, or pick up the latest K-beauty tips from local beauty experts.

The Korean wave (Hallyu) has grown rapidly over the past decade into a cultural phenomenon. K-pop artists are topping the charts and headlining festivals around the world, while K-beauty brands inspire millions to embrace new beauty and skincare regimes. There are more than 90 million Hallyu fans around the world today, with Forbes reporting an estimated 22% year-on-year increase during 2018.

Thailand’s love for all-things Korean has many faces. From music and television shows to skin care and food. September will also see KCON 2019 THAILAND, a two-day event at Muang Thong Thani, a homage to all-things Korean. Korean-made skincare solutions are also popular throughout Thailand, from convenience stores to leading department stores.

According to official government data, visitors from Thailand are already an important demographic for Korea. The most-recent figures (June 2019) recorded more than 37,000 monthly visitors from Thailand, representing 2.6% of all arriving nationalities, and more than other countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Select your Adventure and meet local Experts

Choose your K-wave Adventure with Airbnb’s K-pop and K-beauty Experiences – your insider guide to two of Seoul’s hottest trends. Guests get to learn from knowledgeable hosts who are active members of their communities, and love what they do.

Meet Airbnb hosts like Wild Waackers Battle winner Mul, who runs a K-pop dance class in the heart of Seoul’s arts district, or television broadcaster Cyoung, who is dedicated to sharing her top make-up and skincare secrets with more than 300 cosmetic brand samples available in her studio.

Be a K-pop star for a day

If you’re ready to realise your personal K-pop ambitions, get your dancing shoes on and recreate the moves from your favourite K-pop hits! This two-hour session led by professional dance teacher Bryan gives guests the chance to form a small dance team, and create your very own hit music video which you can take home with you.

Alternatively, dive headfirst into the recording studio and unleash some powerful vocals with Celine, a professional vocals trainer, who will host a one-to-one workshop about singing techniques before recording your own song.

If you’ve ever dreamed about being a musician in Seoul, explore funky Hongdae on a music walk with local musician and TV personality Zozno. You’ll learn the history of the bustling arts district first-hand over a cup of coffee in a local cafe, then pop into Zozno’s personal studio, get the opportunity to play his personal collection of instruments before catching a live music performance together.

Uncover the latest K-beauty trends

Transform your skin from dull to dewy perfection under the tutelage of Melixir Vegan Skincare founder Hana, and make your own organic bath bombs with flowers, herbs and other 100% plant-derived ingredients. If makeup is more your thing then try designing your own natural, petroleum-free lipsticks in customised shades with certified skincare specialist Victoria.

For those keen on a private style consultation and custom-tailored suits, look no further than host expert Jen, who has worked with major beauty and fashion brands for over twenty years. Drop by for a cup of coffee and leave with your own personalised style chart, grooming tips and a brand new wardrobe.

Airbnb ‘Pressroom Live’

Come August 19, Airbnb will launch two indie concert Experiences in collaboration with local Korean newspaper Hankyoreh. Popular musicians Lee Hee-Moon Band and Harim will hold a ‘Pressroom Live’ concert in Hankyoreh’s newsroom on August 30 and September 3 respectively. Lead vocalist Lee was previously from popular Korean folk-rock band SsingSsing, while Harim is a renowned local songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Each concert is open to eight guests only and can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis on Airbnb.

For all K-pop and K-beauty Airbnb Experiences, visit https://www.airbnb.com/kwave.

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Hotel or Airbnb? 10 cities where it’s actually cheaper to book a hotel https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/hotel-or-airbnb-10-cities-where-its-actually-cheaper-to-book-a-hotel/ Tue, 13 Aug 2019 02:58:02 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=516150 The post Hotel or Airbnb? 10 cities where it’s actually cheaper to book a hotel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Analysis from comparethemarket.com has revealed the average cost of a hotel compared to an Airbnb in 52 major cities around the world.

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Hotel or Airbnb? (Woman thinking)

Hotel or Airbnb? That is the question. We can’t really compare apples from oranges but we still need to find the best price. After all, the budget is a big factor when choosing accommodation. So, in which cities are you ‘financially’ better off when choosing a hotel room rather than booking an Airbnb?

On average, and you might have already guessed, only 10 cities show that the hotel was the more budget-friendly option, in contrast to the 42 cities where Airbnb is the cheaper option.

It seems pretty obvious that Airbnb comes cheaper, so we’re showing you data where it’s actually cheaper to book a hotel rather than an Airbnb.

Below, comparethemarket.com shows how much you can save by getting a hotel room in the city:

  1. Santa Cruz, US – USD 198.29
  2. Mallorca, Spain – USD 75.00
  3. Venice, Italy – USD 67.80
  4. San Diego, US – USD 57.45
  5. San Jose, US – USD 42.18
  6. Austin, US – USD 25.11
  7. Naples, Italy – USD 9.72
  8. Berlin, Germany – USD 6.87
  9. Boston, US – USD 4.60
  10. Oakland, US – USD 3.31

Meanwhile, the most budget-friendly city for Airbnb guests is Providence, Rhode Island, where you could live comfortably in a home for USD 159 compared to an average nightly hotel cost of USD 338.

On second place is the city of Geneva, Switzerland, with an Airbnb saving of USD 173. The average hotel room will set you back around USD 292, however, an Airbnb will only cost just under USD 120.

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Airbnb makes it easier to look for work-friendly lodgings https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-makes-it-easier-to-look-for-work-friendly-lodgings/ Tue, 23 Jul 2019 03:31:48 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=513170 The post Airbnb makes it easier to look for work-friendly lodgings appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has added a new feature to make it easier for business travellers to search for work-friendly lodgings that will fit their needs.

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Airbnb has added a new feature to make it easier for business travellers to search for work-friendly lodgings that will fit their needs.

More than 500,000 companies around the world use Airbnb for Work to help manage their business travel. With in-demand amenities like flexible access, personal kitchens for home-cooked meals, on-site laundry, and places to stay in local neighbourhoods, Airbnb has become a go-to choice for many travellers.

Across the web, mobile, and all Airbnb apps – the new work trip toggle now gives guests a way to let us know what type of trip they’re taking when they start their search for a place to stay.

When enabled, search results will narrow down to listings that are more relevant for business trips. Searchers will see and be able to book work-friendly places to stay, including entire homes, Airbnb Plus homes that are verified for quality and design, and boutique hotels. This new way to find work-friendly places to stay includes those that meet increased quality standards by showcasing listings that have received positive ratings from business travellers, and where hosts have indicated there are smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Airbnb for Work was launched in 2014 and has quickly grown as one of the company’s cash cows. Due to its popularity among businesses, Airbnb has expanded its travel tour arm, Airbnb Experiences, tailored for teams.

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China summer bookings jump manifold in Airbnb Plus https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/china-summer-bookings-jump-manifold-in-airbnb-plus/ Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:45:34 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=511393 The post China summer bookings jump manifold in Airbnb Plus appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb Plus, an up-market tier of homestay rentals platform Airbnb, has had a more than six-fold increase in summer bookings for China amid surging demand. Destinations close to first-tier cities saw a sharp rise in bookings, the San Francisco-based company said. Airbnb Plus reservations surged 14 times in the Yanqing holiday resort near Beijing and […]

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Airbnb Plus, an up-market tier of homestay rentals platform Airbnb, has had a more than six-fold increase in summer bookings for China amid surging demand.

Destinations close to first-tier cities saw a sharp rise in bookings, the San Francisco-based company said. Airbnb Plus reservations surged 14 times in the Yanqing holiday resort near Beijing and seven times in the capital’s Fangshan district.

The top five destinations for family trips in China were Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing and Guangzhou. Popular student choices include second- and third-tier cities such as Changchun, Wuhu, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan and Foshan.

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Airbnb Luxe redefines luxury travel https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-luxe-redefines-luxury-travel/ Thu, 27 Jun 2019 00:07:19 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=509065 The post Airbnb Luxe redefines luxury travel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has launched Airbnb Luxe — a new luxury experience that makes personal and bespoke travel more accessible to everyone.

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Airbnb has launched Airbnb Luxe — a new luxury experience that makes personal and bespoke travel more accessible to everyone.

Airbnb Luxe provides access to unique and spectacular properties with dedicated trip designers to arrange bespoke experiences and services to make every stay truly magical. With homes that are destinations in themselves, travellers can stay at incredible places, including award-winning homes in New Zealand and South Africa, castles in France and breathtaking historic villas in Tuscany. Literary fans can seek inspiration and beachfront luxury at The Fleming Villa in Jamaica where Ian Fleming wrote his famous spy novels. Others may prefer complete privacy and exclusivity by booking an entire island with its very own self-declared time zone at the incredible private atoll in French Polynesia, Nukutepipi, curated by Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque du Soleil and Lune Rouge.

Airbnb Luxe is built on the deep expertise in luxury travel Airbnb gained from its acquisition of Luxury Retreats in 2017. This new tier launches with more than 2,000 handpicked homes around the world, each one passing strict evaluation across 300+ criteria to meet standards in both design and function. This includes elevated design standards on a variety of elements, from premium materials & finishes and rare and unique features to spaces that accommodate groups, highly functional design, chef-grade appliances and the proper amount of bathrooms corresponding to each bedroom.

Each Airbnb Luxe booking provides access to a dedicated, highly trained trip designer who will ensure the stay is tailored to the traveller’s unique needs every step of the way. After booking a property, the trip designer can help ensure effortless check-in, coordinating local bespoke experiences and activities, and arranging a wide range of services from childcare to private chefs to in-house massage therapists – or, for the dedicated, personal training sessions in your own private gym.

“Today’s luxury traveller is craving more than just high-end accommodations; they seek transformation and experiences that leave them feeling more connected to each other and to their destination,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder, CEO and head of community. “With Airbnb Luxe we are applying the same approach we’ve used since we launched Airbnb more than 11 years ago — creating local, authentic and magical travel moments now in amazing places to stay — to reimagine the way people think and experience luxury travel.”

Urban Luxury

In addition to chateaux and chalets, Airbnb Luxe will also open the door to spectacular places to stay in cities, a new area of focus for us. Building on the places to stay already available in cities like London — be it a Kensington oasis or a Sloane Square penthouse; and Los Angeles — like this French Country estate, we plan to add incredible properties in at least 12 more cities this year, including Milan, Paris and Austin.

The launch of Airbnb Luxe also helps meet increasing demand from Airbnb guests for luxury properties and experiences. In 2018, the number of Airbnb bookings for listings worth at least USD 1,000 per night increased by more than 60%. The increased interest in luxury travel on Airbnb is consistent with broader trends: analysts believe the luxury travel market is worth more than $200 billion and poised to grow in the years ahead.

Not to be confused with Airbnb Plus, which is intended for every day, Airbnb guests looking for beautiful homes, exceptional hosts and added peace of mind knowing homes are quality inspected and verified in person for cleanliness, comfort and design. Airbnb Plus was initially launched in 13 markets around the world, Airbnb Plus is now available in over 300 markets.

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“Those who believe that their standard home or landlord policies will cover them are sadly mistaken” https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/those-who-believe-that-their-standard-home-or-landlord-policies-will-cover-them-are-sadly-mistaken/ Wed, 26 Jun 2019 08:18:41 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=509119 The post “Those who believe that their standard home or landlord policies will cover them are sadly mistaken” appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Home share hosts can look forward to enhanced protection on their short term rentals with the announcement that Airbnb insurance broker, Pikl Insurance, has hooked up with online broker Quoteline Direct to offer Airbnb-style short-term letting cover to its clients, closing loop holes in the insurance market where standard home, landlord and holiday home policies […]

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Home share hosts can look forward to enhanced protection on their short term rentals with the announcement that Airbnb insurance broker, Pikl Insurance, has hooked up with online broker Quoteline Direct to offer Airbnb-style short-term letting cover to its clients, closing loop holes in the insurance market where standard home, landlord and holiday home policies fail to cover guests and short-term lets.

The partnership means that Quoteline Direct will now be able to private home host, landlord host and landlord tenant host products to its clients who are  providing short-term hosting arrangements.

Louise Birritteri, CEO of Pikl, said: “We’re delighted to enter this partnership with Quoteline Direct. It is a clear sign that the key players in the industry have recognised that their clients who are operating in the sharing economy are doing so without the necessary protection they need. Those who believe that their standard home or landlord policies will cover them are sadly mistaken and it could be that they only discover that when then need to make a claim.””

“Products that are tailored to the needs of sharing economy hosts”

Phil Stevens, product , manager for home and buy-to-let at Quoteline Direct said: “The sharing economy has blossomed in the last few years and much of the insurance industry are playing catch up.

It’s fantastic that Pikl has not only recognised this gap in the market but that they have managed to fill it with specialist products that are tailored to the needs of sharing economy hosts, and importantly are straightforward for brokers to sell. We anticipate a large take up in the Pikl cover over the coming months as we approach the peak season for short-term property lets.”

“Airbnb-ers can now get the best of both worlds”

The new partnership comes following Pikl’s Its report published in March which showed that the insurance needs of more one million short-term rental hosts are not adequately covered by the UK’s major insurers. They are either being excluded from, compromised by or voided from their existing home insurance policies.

As Birritteri explains: “By creating wholesale insurance products for brokers working alongside the insurance industry, Pikl is solving this problem for consumers. It means that the generation of Airbnb-ers can now get the best of both worlds – the best deals for both their standard and shared economy cover and, where they struggle to find cover, in Pikl they’ll have a brand that will accommodate them for both types of cover and will always have their best interests at heart.”

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Airbnb Adventures off to a rough start https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-adventures-error-fraud/ Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:00:25 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=508415 The post Airbnb Adventures off to a rough start appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Customers who tried to book have taken to Instagram and Twitter to complain about being charged for vacations they were ultimately denied.

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Last week, TD reported the launch of Airbnb Adventures, an expansion of Airbnb Experiences for daring adventurers looking for adrenaline-fuelled trips. To celebrate its launch, Airbnb offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go on an 80-day trip around the world.

For only USD 5,000, joiners will embark on a 12-week long departing on 1 September 2019. Inspired by the epic Jules Verne classic penned almost 150 years ago, this Adventure takes guests across six continents, 18 countries, two oceans, five seas and eight modes of transportation including, of course, a hot air balloon.

Less than a week after its announcement, travellers heeded the call and booked the experience. Due to limited seats offered, consumers reportedly encountered errors when trying to book the trip. Customers who tried to book have taken to Instagram and Twitter to complain about being charged for vacations they were ultimately denied.

One customer said that she encountered error messages when she tried to book the trip. Unfortunately, she did not get a seat, but her credit was charged four times and her bank informed her of fraud alert totalling more than USD 20,000. She reached out to Airbnb and two of them were removed. Other customers posted similar incidents and are calling out Airbnb on social media.

Airbnb, on the other hand, says that everyone who was unable to get a seat will be refunded, though a representative for the company was unable to specify when that would happen.

“We are investigating the issue and have a team working to ensure that the booking process for this high visibility, the one-off experience is smoother moving forward. We work hard to make sure that every guest has a great experience and we want to make it right when things don’t go as expected,” says a representative for Airbnb Experiences.

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For adrenaline junkies only: Airbnb targets thrillseekers https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-adventures-experiences/ Mon, 17 Jun 2019 22:00:44 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=507587 The post For adrenaline junkies only: Airbnb targets thrillseekers appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb unveils Airbnb Adventures - an expansion of Airbnb Experiences that includes the incredible opportunity for daring guests to channel their inner Phileas Fogg and travel around the world in 80 days.

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Airbnb recently unveiled Airbnb Adventures – an expansion of Airbnb Experiences that is not for the fainthearted. The new service offers daring tours intended for thrillseekers.

Airbnb Adventures is a new collection of bucket list worthy multi-day experiences hosted by local experts that take intimate groups to epic, off-the-beaten-path locations and immerses them in unique cultures and communities.

Introducing guests to natural wonders, cultures and communities that are hard to reach on their own, Airbnb Adventures are led by local experts and meet certain quality and safety standards. In terms of safety, Airbnb was advised on safety and best practices for its Adventure by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).

Airbnb also boasts on the price of these tours claiming that hosts offer a range of prices from USD 79 for an overnight trip up to USD 5,000 for a 10-day trek.

To mark the launch of Airbnb Adventures, a limited number of lucky individuals will have the truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join an 80-day trip around the world. Inspired by the epic Jules Verne classic penned almost 150 years ago, this Adventure takes guests across six continents, 18 countries, two oceans, five seas and eight modes of transportation including, of course, a hot air balloon.

“E’xperiences that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

Joe “Joebot” Zadeh, VP Experiences, Airbnb, said: “Like Airbnb Experiences, people can escape their day-to-day and put their screens and devices away but now instead of just a few hours, they have the option to be fully immersed off-the-beaten-path, to push themselves out of their comfort zones and have experiences that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

There are over 200 adventures to choose from that are either entirely exclusive to Airbnb, or provided by small, local operators that are not typically found on any other major booking platform. Some of the listed Airbnb Adventures are:

  • Track Lions On Foot With Warriors
  • Trek Deep Into The Amazon Jungle
  • Cowboy Life in the American Wild West
  • Dana to Petra Trek
  • Paranormal Tour of the US Southwest
  • Camp on the Side of a Cliff in Colorado
  • Swedish Islands Culinary Kayaking Trip
  • Musical Camping in the California Desert
  • 7 Days Accessible Experience Rapa Nui
  • Hiking the world’s most silent place
  • Farm stay in Indiana Amish country
  • Searching for Sasquatch in Washington
  • Mystical Oman Trek

However, adventurous tours is not a novel idea. A number of OTAs are offering adrenaline-packed tours such as G-Adventures and Intrepid Travel. The two tour companies also offer sustainable travel experiences, which the Airbnb seems to be missing out on.

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Channel your inner Phileas Fogg with Airbnb Adventures https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/channel-your-inner-phileas-fogg-with-airbnb-adventures/ Mon, 17 Jun 2019 00:53:19 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=507468 The post Channel your inner Phileas Fogg with Airbnb Adventures appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

You can now enjoy a six-day Galapagos Slow Food Safari, experience the wonders of Oman or camp on a cliff in Colorado. All you have to do is just show up. An expansion of Airbnb Experiences, Airbnb has now launched Airbnb Adventures. A new collection of bucket list worthy multi-day experiences hosted by local experts […]

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The post Channel your inner Phileas Fogg with Airbnb Adventures appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

You can now enjoy a six-day Galapagos Slow Food Safari, experience the wonders of Oman or camp on a cliff in Colorado. All you have to do is just show up.

An expansion of Airbnb Experiences, Airbnb has now launched Airbnb Adventures. A new collection of bucket list worthy multi-day experiences hosted by local experts that take intimate groups to epic, off-the-beaten-path locations and immerses them in unique cultures and communities, it includes the incredible opportunity for daring guests to channel their inner Phileas Fogg and travel around the world in 80 days.

This voyage across six continents joins other adventures now available to book through hosts on Airbnb ranging from tracking lions on foot with Sabache Warriors in Kenya to hunting for UFOs with Nate in Arizona.

Introducing guests to natural wonders, cultures and communities that are hard to reach on their own, Airbnb Adventures are led by local experts and meet certain quality and safety standards. Airbnb was advised on safety and best practices for its Adventure by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). They are also affordable; hosts offer a range of prices from USD 79 for an overnight trip up to USD 5000 for a 10-day trek. Today at launch, there are over 200 adventures to choose from that are either entirely exclusive to Airbnb, or provided by small, local operators that are not typically found on any other major booking platform.

“Getting access to epic and transformational travel has never been easier than through Airbnb Adventures,” said Joe ‘Joebot’ Zadeh, vice president of experiences, Airbnb. “Like Airbnb Experiences, people can escape their day-to-day and put their screens and devices away but now instead of just a few hours, they have the option to be fully immersed off-the-beaten-path, to push themselves out of their comfort zones and have experiences that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

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Airbnb unveils ‘That’s Why We Airbnb’ campaign https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-unveils-thats-why-we-airbnb-campaign/ Thu, 06 Jun 2019 22:43:01 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=506516 The post Airbnb unveils ‘That’s Why We Airbnb’ campaign appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Community-driven hospitality company, Airbnb has announced the launch of its latest marketing campaign ‘That’s Why We Airbnb’. Narrating the stories of real travellers, the campaign celebrates the uniqueness of life, the concept of non-conformity, and the mavericks who march to the beat of their own drum. “Much like life itself, no one experience can ever […]

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Community-driven hospitality company, Airbnb has announced the launch of its latest marketing campaign ‘That’s Why We Airbnb’. Narrating the stories of real travellers, the campaign celebrates the uniqueness of life, the concept of non-conformity, and the mavericks who march to the beat of their own drum.

“Much like life itself, no one experience can ever be the same.”

Speaking about the campaign, Varun Raina, marketing manager, Airbnb India said, “Our intention is to let travellers know that there is an Airbnb for everyone. No matter who you are or where you’re travelling to, with Airbnb you will always belong anywhere and everywhere. With this campaign, we wanted to give travellers the impetus to discover new places and explore new cultures, on their terms and that is truly what Airbnb is all about.”

Travel for everyone is a unique experience, universally desired and subjective at the same time. Much like life itself, no one experience can ever be the same, and embracing that is the true meaning of the ‘That’s why we Airbnb’ campaign, he added.

Conceptualised by Wieden + Kennedy, the campaign will also be seen across social, digital, PR, cinema and out-of-home over the next 8 weeks

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That’s Why We Airbnb – Together
Staycation on rise this Eid in UAE, says Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/staycation-on-rise-this-eid-in-uae-says-airbnb/ Mon, 03 Jun 2019 23:50:49 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=506048 The post Staycation on rise this Eid in UAE, says Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

An ever-increasing number of UAE residents are enjoying an extended Eid break and taking more staycations.

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An ever-increasing number of UAE residents are enjoying an extended Eid break and taking more staycations. Following the recent launch of Airbnb in the Arabic language, the global travel platform looked at data for stays from 30 May to 8 June and has unveiled the top inbound and outbound travel statistics for Eid Al Fitr.

Staycations are trending over the Eid period, with travellers from within the UAE accounting for the most local bookings on Airbnb. The US and UK complete the top three countries of origin for guests who have booked an Airbnb stay in the Emirates over this period. Visitors from Saudi Arabia and France are also selecting the Emirates over the Eid period, rounding out the leading five countries for inbound travel.

For those looking for an Eid escape abroad, outbound travellers from the UAE are booking for an average of seven nights, meaning they are taking full advantage of the whole long Eid break to explore both local and global destinations.

European vacations are proving to be very popular, with Italy and Spain topping the list of countries for foreign trips. The historic European cities of Vienna, Rome and Barcelona top the charts for Airbnb city breaks, while travellers from the UAE are also immersing themselves in up-and-coming emerging destinations such as Budapest, Krakow and Kiev that feature highly amongst the booked places to stay.

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Qantas secretly selling first class seats on Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/qantas-secretly-seeded-first-class-on-airbnb-that-you-can-buy-for-usd-20/ Mon, 27 May 2019 02:00:38 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=505135 The post Qantas secretly selling first class seats on Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Qantas has revealed that it secretly put up first class seats for sale on Airbnb for as low as USD 20. However, these flights can only be redeemed only with Qantas points.

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Qantas has revealed that it has secretly put up first class seats for sale on Airbnb for as low as USD 20. However, these flights can only be redeemed only with Qantas points.

Starting 24 May, and for the next two weeks, Qantas will be posing as an Airbnb landlord and releasing return tickets for two in either first or business class hidden somewhere on the app. Qantas promotion strategy is to give Qantas point members more opportunities to spend their hard-earned points, like the all-point flight to Japan launched earlier this month.

There is a high chance that the listings are at the destinations where Qantas flies to and are available only for Australian users of the Airbnb app.

Some of the already uncovered deals are two first class seats from Melbourne to LA for 50,000 Qantas Points, and two business class seats from Sydney to London for 50,000 Qantas Points. There are apparently another 14 available (one a day) elsewhere.

Qantas and Airbnb have been in partnership since 2016 that enables people to book or host through the app to earn Qantas Points. It is a win-win move for Qantas and for Airbnb. For Qantas, it gains media attention for its loyalty program and raises its profile. For Airbnb, more people will be using the app to scour the flight tickets and more people will end up making bookings.

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Qantas Boeing 767 airliner taking off from Sydney Airport
Travel tech this week: Airbnb, Kiwi.com and TrustYou launch new features https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/travel-tech-this-week-may-23/ Thu, 23 May 2019 01:51:51 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=504835 The post Travel tech this week: Airbnb, Kiwi.com and TrustYou launch new features appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

This week, tech companies Airbnb, Kiwi.com, TrustYou and Alternative Airlines have launched new features in their respective platforms.

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This week, tech companies Airbnb, Kiwi.com, TrustYou and Alternative Airlines have launched new features in their respective platforms.

Airbnb in Arabic

Airbnb has announced that its platform will be in Arabic to enable its growing community across the Middle East and North African region to access an even more seamless travel experience. The localised web platform and iOS and Android apps are part of Airbnb’s ongoing commitment to the region and will further Airbnb’s mission to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere.

All of the popular features of the Airbnb platform will be accessible in Arabic. The company has a strong and growing presence in Dubai and beyond. Hosts and guests across the Middle East and North African region have been using the platform since it was founded 10 years ago to book accommodation globally or list their homes to welcome guests. In 2017, Airbnb also launched the Experiences platform in Dubai led by passionate locals, which enable travellers to the Emirates to enjoy the famed Arab hospitality first hand.

Hadi Moussa, Airbnb’s regional manager for the Middle East & Africa, said: “The Middle East and North-Africa region are extremely important to us, so we are delighted to launch Airbnb in Arabic today. People from across the region have been using Airbnb since it was founded ten years ago to book magical travel experiences. We want to create a true sense of belonging for them by ensuring they can do so in their native language going forward. We want to inspire more Arabic speaking travellers to explore their favourite destinations through authentic, local stays and Experiences on the Airbnb platform.”

“Arab hospitality is famous around the world. Airbnb wants to encourage more people in the region to host and share this warm welcome with guests from around the world.”

Kiwi.com measures carry-on with AR

Kiwi.com has announced a new feature on its mobile application that uses augmented reality technology to measure cabin baggage prior to heading to the airport.

The new feature is available for all Android and iOS devices. The new function pairs with flights booked through Kiwi.com and curates bespoke cabin bag dimension requirements (LxWxH) for the specific airline the ticket is booked with. The application uses the devices’ camera to generate a virtual box around the baggage and the dimensions are measured from this.

Alison Couper of Kiwi.com said: “It’s a really efficient new function to the app which I think all Kiwi.com customers will find helpful. Travelling can be a stressful experience and it’s important for the modern traveller to be in the know. This is the first of many updates we plan to roll out in 2019. We’re really looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of it”.

TrustYou’s restaurant feedback solution

Feedback management expert TrustYou has launched its new restaurant tool – Restaurant Analytics platform pairs advanced reporting capabilities with powerful semantic analysis to help users pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses and benchmark against their competitors.

Having catered to the hospitality sector for over 10 years, TrustYou is now expanding its influence in the F&B industry. The comprehensive and multi-use tool for restaurants currently analyses reviews from 25 online sources in one inbox in order for users to save valuable time and take full ownership of their reputation. The powerful capabilities of Restaurant Analytics are reinforced by the semantic analysis engine developed over more than a decade. These analytical features enable a complete and insightful breakdown of 64 review categories, available in six languages: English, Finnish, French, German, Japanese, and Swedish.

Restaurant Analytics helps the users to monitor and compare up to five competitors, has customisable dashboards for each user, automatic alerts for incoming reviews, as well as detailed and customisable reporting. When used with the TrustYou Operations tool, restaurant managers can automatically assign tasks to team members, improve issue resolution time across departments, and quickly set and track goals on specific KPIs.

“The restaurant business plays a vital role in our company’s portfolio and we recognise the increasing importance of feedback management in this area of hospitality. Online reviews can make or break a business and implicitly, impact its revenue. Our new restaurant platform is based on our company’s award-winning technology and was developed as an aid for restaurant managers who want to monitor, manage, and leverage online reviews, in order to make necessary improvements, outperform competitors and drive more revenue,” said Benjamin Jost, CEO at TrustYou.

For more travel tech stories, click here.

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Travel tech this week: Airbnb, Kiwi.com and TrustYou launch new features This week, tech companies Airbnb, Kiwi.com and TrustYou have launched new features in their respective platforms. trustyou,Airbnb,Kiwi.com airbnb3 airbnb2 TrustYou restaurant food beverage
Know your roots: Airbnb, 23andMe to offer heritage travel recommendations https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-23andme-to-offer-heritage-travel-recommendations/ Wed, 22 May 2019 05:59:27 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=504768 The post Know your roots: Airbnb, 23andMe to offer heritage travel recommendations appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Tech giant Airbnb is teaming up with 23andMe, the biotech firm best known for genomics reports about family history and health, to deliver heritage travel recommendations in user experiences.

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Tech giant Airbnb is teaming up with 23andMe, the biotech firm best known for genomics reports about family history and health, to deliver heritage travel recommendations in user experiences.

Heritage travel is a pilgrimage to uncover family histories in their ancestors’ towns, cities, or countries. About 89% of people in India and 69% of those in France and the US have travelled to at least one country of their ancestry.

In addition, many travellers in Australia, India, the UK and Brazil say that visiting a place connected with their relatives will be the most important consideration when planning their next vacation.

23andMe customers will now be able to sift through their ancestral populations to find Airbnb Homes and Experiences located in their ancestral countries.

Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe CEO and co-founder, said: “We empower 23andMe customers to learn about themselves and their ancestry through their unique genetic code. Working with Airbnb provides an exciting opportunity for our customers to connect with their heritage through deeply personal cultural and travel experiences.”

Airbnb revealed that the number of travellers using its booking platform to trace their roots increased by 500% in the past five years, driven mostly by older guests aged 60-90.

“Authentic travel experiences help you connect with local cultures and create a sense of belonging”

Joe Gebbia,  Airbnb co-founder and chief product officer, said: “At Airbnb, we believe that authentic travel experiences help you connect with local cultures and create a sense of belonging anywhere in the world — and what better way to do that than travelling to your roots? We’re proud to team up with 23andMe, the leader in helping people learns about their genes and ancestry, to make it easier for travellers to plan trips as unique as their DNA.”

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Start-up Fairbnb is Airbnb but with a heart https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/start-up-fairbnb-is-airbnb-but-with-a-heart/ Mon, 20 May 2019 03:39:40 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=504467 The post Start-up Fairbnb is Airbnb but with a heart appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Fairbnb is a new start-up in the quad that allows you to rent your home to guests and will collect 15% commission on bookings. Where that commission will go sets the two start-ups apart. In Fairbnb, half of the money will go into the local community where that unit is based.

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Fairbnb is a new start-up in the quad that allows you to rent your home to guests and will collect 15% commission on bookings. Where that commission will go sets the two start-ups apart. In Fairbnb, half of the money will go into the local community where that unit is based.

Fairbnb is only three years old but they’ve built responsible tourism directly into their operations and policies to make short-term rentals positive aspects to the communities in which they are located.

The money may go to non-commercial meeting spaces, community centres or social housing. The guest staying in your home will have a say how that part of the commission will be used in the neighbourhood. Fairbnb will approve and vet each of these projects and perhaps make it open to guests to visit during their stay. The idea is that the neighbourhoods would see a monetary investment into their communities rather than profits going to corporations.

Airbnb has received bad press over the years because short stay rentals have ruined the local neighbourhood as it brings house prices up and a huge number of tourists book these rentals.

“A [home-sharing] platform that is accountable and responsible”

Sito Veracruz, a co-founder of Fairbnb, said: “For a long time, the social impact of travelling was rarely taken into consideration — because at first with vacation apartments, people didn’t feel it. We are now reckoning with the damaging impact of tourism on communities, not just because of the industry’s growth, but because of its huge expansion into residential areas.”

“Three years ago when we started, the need for our concept was something we had to explain a lot. With every passing day, as public opinion changes, we have to explain the ‘why’ of our project less and less. It’s very important to have a [home-sharing] platform that is accountable and responsible, that is about including social sustainability in the economic sustainability equation,” he added.

Currently, Fairbnb has co-op members in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Lithuania, and are consulting with other cities in Europe like Venice, Bologna and Barcelona. Over 700 people have applied to list their homes on Fairbnb. It is still unclear when Fairbnb will have its official launch but the growing interest in sustainable tourism attracts travellers to companies that put emphasis on being socially responsible.

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fairbnb Amsterdam, Netherlands
Airbnb boosts income and jobs in Thai regional communities https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-boosts-income-and-jobs-in-thai-regional-communities/ Mon, 13 May 2019 10:20:12 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=503869 The post Airbnb boosts income and jobs in Thai regional communities appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

New data released today by Airbnb, highlights how the home share community is helping grow tourism in off-the-beaten-track destinations across Thailand and the Asia Pacific, and helping spread the benefits of tourism beyond big cities and major tourism hotspots. Similar to other countries in the Asia Pacific, the Airbnb community is growing rapidly in off-the-beaten […]

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Wat Rong Khun (aka the White Temple) in Chiang Ra

New data released today by Airbnb, highlights how the home share community is helping grow tourism in off-the-beaten-track destinations across Thailand and the Asia Pacific, and helping spread the benefits of tourism beyond big cities and major tourism hotspots.

Similar to other countries in the Asia Pacific, the Airbnb community is growing rapidly in off-the-beaten track destinations in Thailand.

This growth is powered by travellers increasingly seeking more local, unique and authentic experiences. In 2018, the number of Airbnb guest arrivals visiting off-the-beaten path destinations in Thailand grew by 53% year-on-year and some areas with the fastest growth included:

  1. Rawai – 92%
  2. Chiang Rai -90%
  3. Hat Yai – 214%
  4. Saladan – 71%
Nakhon Sawan

Airbnb’s head of public policy in Southeast Asia, Mich Goh, said the data reinforced how Airbnb was helping grow tourism right across Thailand. “Just as important as growing tourism is making sure that the benefits of tourism are dispersed beyond big cities and major tourism destinations.

This new data shows that Airbnb is not only growing local tourism – but spreading this growth all across Thailand. With Airbnb, more people and places share in the enormous benefits of tourism. More Airbnb guests going off the beaten track means more income and jobs in local communities.”

The data also revealed more hospitality entrepreneurs in off-the-beaten-track destinations – home sharers, and small, independent, and boutique hotel owners – are turning to the Airbnb platform as a way to promote their unique listings to travellers from Thailand and the world. In 2018, some of the areas with the highest year-on-year growth in active listings in Thailand included:

  1. Nakhon Sawan – 167%
  2. Trang – 84%
  3. Hat Yai – 65%
  4. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya – 66%
  5. Chumphon – 61%

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Wat Rong Khun (aka the White Temple) in Chiang Rai Wat Rong Khun (aka the White Temple) in Chiang Ra Nakhon Sawan Nakhon Sawan
Oyo says konnichiwa https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/oyo-says-konnichiwa/ Fri, 05 Apr 2019 04:02:11 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=500032 The post Oyo says konnichiwa appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Fresh from receiving a significant investment from Airbnb, Indian unicorn Oyo has struck a joint venture with Softbank Corp. to launch a hotel business in Japan.

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Fresh from receiving a significant investment from Airbnb, Indian unicorn Oyo has struck a joint venture with Softbank Corp. to launch a hotel business in Japan.

Oyo is dubbed as the world’s largest hotel chain with more than 500,000 rooms under its belt. Its business model is it oversees a network of budget hotels that enables owners to use Oyo’s data-driven management system to boost efficiency.

Under the joint venture, Oyo will operate the same model in Japan. The brand sees the immense potential in Japan that welcomes a huge volume of tourists in the past few years.

“We will be focused on creating unique hospitality experiences for both domestic and international travellers,” said Oyo founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal.

The new business will mark Oyo’s second major foray into Japan. Oyo Life, an apartment rental service operated in partnership with Yahoo! Japan, officially launched in late March.

Oyo recently received funding from home-sharing tech giant Airbnb. This could be a way for Airbnb to recover from its losses when Japan tightened the regulations for short term rentals.

SoftBank Group’s near USD 100 billion Vision Fund led a USD 1bn funding round for Oyo in 2018, valuing the start-up at USD 5bn. Softbank has been injecting funds to various start-ups like Grab, Uber, Delhivery, and Onfido.

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Red Torii gates in Fushimi Inari shrine, one of famous landmarks in Kyoto, Japan
A night with Mona Lisa: Airbnb partners with Musée du Louvre https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-musee-du-louvre-partnership/ Wed, 03 Apr 2019 07:29:26 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=499827 The post A night with Mona Lisa: Airbnb partners with Musée du Louvre appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb x Louvre (Julian Abrams)

The world-famous Musée du Louvre in Paris has joined forces with Airbnb to give once-in-a-lifetime access to the museum and its masterpieces.

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Airbnb x Louvre (Julian Abrams)
Airbnb x Louvre (Julian Abrams)
(Photos by Julian Abrams)

The world-famous Musée du Louvre in Paris has joined forces with Airbnb to give exclusive access to the museum and its masterpieces.

In celebration of the building’s 30th anniversary, Airbnb and the Louvre today announced that the museum will be transformed into “a magical Home” for one night.

For the first time ever, passionate art-lovers will have the chance to cosy up to priceless masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa, and sleep under the Louvre’s iconic glass Pyramid in a “mini-pyramid” that will be specially designed to celebrate

“Accessible and inspiring”

Anne-Laure Béatrix, deputy managing director of the Musée du Louvre, said: “We are happy to offer this unique and special experience for two people to stay in the museum overnight, in a bespoke pyramid shaped bedroom. We know that many people would love the opportunity to wander alone at night through the Louvre and we want this to be a magical and unforgettable experience.

“With Airbnb’s partnership, we hope to encourage more people to discover how truly accessible and inspiring the wonders of art can be.”

A night in the Museum

For one night only, on 30 April 2019, Airbnb and the Louvre are giving a lucky winner and their guest a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see what happens inside the world’s most magical museum when the lights go out.  As the sun sets on Paris, the winning duo will make their way to the museum where they will be greeted by an art historian, who will take them on a bespoke tour, like those previously given to the Obamas, Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

“Rediscover the museum in a new and authentic way”

Emmanuel Marill, general manager, Airbnb France, added: “Paris is one of the most attractive cities in the world and the Louvre is one of the most loved and celebrated institutions in Paris. We are thrilled to partner with them and to offer exciting and unique experiences that will celebrate our community and welcome Parisians and international travellers to rediscover the museum in a new and authentic way.”

To participate, visit airbnb.com/louvre before 23:59 (French time – GMT+1) on 12 April and answer the question: why would you be the Mona Lisa’s perfect guest?

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Airbnb x Louvre (Julian Abrams) (Photos by Julian Abrams) Airbnb x Louvre ©Julian Abrams6
This cabin in the woods is the most popular on Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/this-cabin-in-the-woods-is-the-most-popular-on-airbnb/ Mon, 01 Apr 2019 01:00:41 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=499514 The post This cabin in the woods is the most popular on Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The most visited property listed on Airbnb is not a castle or a luxury place, but a small cabin in the woods of California.

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The most visited property listed on Airbnb is not a castle or a luxury place, but a small cabin in the woods of California.

Located at the south of the city, the cabin measures almost 10 square meters, but it is incredibly popular among holiday markers. The mushroom-domed cabin was first listed on Airbnb in 2009 by super hosts Kitty and Michael. It was one of their properties on the platform.

The property is so popular that reservation must be made months ahead. Upon checking the calendar, the property is available for booking in October this year, at the time of this writing.

The listing has almost 1,300 reviews from guests giving it five-star-rating for cleanliness, value and location.

One of the charms of the small cabin is its sunroof where you can view the starry sky at night. Among the features of the property is 10 acres next to land without fences so you will get to enjoy nature: just hang out on the deck, take a hike in the woods, watch the hummingbirds, pet the goats, go to the beach or gaze at the stars.

With a fridge, popcorn maker, French Press coffee machine and an outdoor barbecue on the deck, it is clear to see why it is so popular with guests. While the host specified that some cellphones do not work in the area, they have Wi-Fi access so you can stay connected, but there are also forest trails all around the property if you want to get lost in the wild for a while.

The property only costs USD 130, and the host requires USD 100 security deposit.

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US consumers spend more in Airbnb than Hilton https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-surpassed-hilton-worldwide/ Tue, 26 Mar 2019 02:50:33 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=499190 The post US consumers spend more in Airbnb than Hilton appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has long been a threat to hotel companies as it offers cheaper accommodation. The start-up also enables hosts to earn money by opening their homes to travellers.

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Airbnb has long been a threat to hotel companies as it offers cheaper accommodation. The start-up also enables hosts to earn money by opening their homes to travellers.

American consumers spent more on Airbnb last year than they did on Hilton and its subsidiary brands such as DoubleTree and Embassy Suites, according to new data from Second Measure, a company that analyses anonymised debit and credit card purchases.

Hilton Worldwide is the fifth largest hotel chains in the world with 4,727 hotels in 104 countries and territories. With 14 brands across different market sectors, Forbes ranked Hilton Worldwide number 36 among the United States largest privately held companies before their IPO in December of 2013.

“Airbnb is also slowly catching up with Marriott.”

Airbnb is also slowly catching up with Marriott. Data shows that US consumer spending on Airbnb has gone up by 30%.

According to Second Measure, much of the growth comes from central US. About a third of Airbnb’s US customers are from populous coastal states like California, New York, and Florida.

The immense growth of Airbnb can be attributed to the company’s expansion to business travel and experiences. The company also branches more directly to hotel space. Last year, the company expanded its bookings to include boutique hotels. Earlier this month, Airbnb acquired the last-minute hotel booking site HotelTonight, bringing it even deeper into the mainstream hotel market.

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Travel tech this week: Amadeus partnerships and payments made easy https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/travel-tech-march-14-2019/ Fri, 15 Mar 2019 02:10:16 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=498085 The post Travel tech this week: Amadeus partnerships and payments made easy appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

This week, we saw Amadeus has renewed some of its partnerships as well as alternative payments in the UK.

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This week, we saw Amadeus has renewed some of its partnerships as well as alternative payments in the UK.

Amadeus renews partnerships

Amadeus has renewed two of its partnerships with Luftansa and GMTC. The Lufthansa Group and Amadeus announce today an agreement to renew their longstanding technology partnership.

Through the deal, Amadeus’ Altéa Passenger Service System (PSS) will continue to provide Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines with their IT systems for reservation, inventory and departure control. In addition, the Lufthansa Group and Amadeus are also expanding their partnership to add further areas of collaboration. Areas in which Amadeus technology is supporting the Lufthansa Group range from operations and merchandising & shopping to disruptions management.

Some of the many areas that Amadeus and the Lufthansa Group are working on together include:

Passenger Recovery: SWISS partnered with Amadeus using an agile methodology to launch this solution which optimizes and automates the end-to-end transfer of passengers with greater speed and efficiency at times of disruption. Amadeus Passenger Recovery can analyze multiple flight disruptions, considering each traveller’s itinerary and their overall value. In its first time in action for SWISS, 100 passengers were re-booked in just three minutes after their flight was cancelled. Since its launch with SWISS, Passenger Recovery has also been implemented at Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines and is being deployed later this year at Brussels Airlines.

Airport Pay:

Due to a shared goal to improve the passenger experience at the airport, the Lufthansa Group was Amadeus’ launch partner for Amadeus Airport Pay, which allows passengers to make airports payments regardless of check-in infrastructure. It’s the first wireless payment solution in the industry, which accepts EMV chip card payments and can be used by multiple airlines, ground handlers, and banks. Lufthansa is now rolling out the solution in over 170 airports worldwide.

Shopping & Merchandising:

Amadeus technology has long-powered Lufthansa’s website and digital channels. One example that is helping drive sales is Lufthansa Cash & Miles, an innovative solution, which allows passengers to partly pay for flights with miles, by using a sliding scale.

On the other hand, the renewal of the GTMC partnership agreement marks a new chapter for business travel agents to continue to prosper in a very dynamic environment.

Together Amadeus and GTMC aim to provide practical solutions to challenges and cross-industry issues so business travel is more convenient, cost-effective, and provides growth opportunities for all players. The close partnership facilitates strong networking capabilities through discussion, strategy groups and industry lobbying and proposal of new thinking, to move the sector forward and share best practice.

Liz Emmott, general manager, UK at Amadeus said “We greatly value the role GTMC plays as the voice of the industry and its focus on the welfare of its members when tackling various issues with all industry players. Within this very important partnership, both Amadeus and GTMC’s combined expertise and heritage will ensure that together we can successfully meet the ever-changing demands and expectations of both business travellers and our partners from all corners of the sector.”

WeSwap got you covered ahead of the Brexit blues

WeSwap’s new and exclusive data reinforces observes that  more than 7.3 million Brits class international travel as more of a life-priority than ever before, with a majority preferring to spend more money while away on tourist attractions and cultural activities, such as  sampling some local’ cuisines rather than spending on luxury hotels.

57% believe Brexit will make European good in supermarkets considerably more expensive.

WeSwap has unveiled the top destinations for consumers to enjoy European delicacies:
• Waffles in Belgium
• Kremrole In Czech Republic
• Arancini in Italy
• Pierogi in Poland
• Goulash in Hungary
• Currywurst in Germany
• Potica in Slovenia
• Moussaka in Greece
• Halloumi in Cyprus
• Köttbullar in Sweden

Alternative Airlines X Klarna = flexible payments

Alternative Airlines

UK-based flight search website Alternative Airlines has announced a new partnership with Klarna, a European payment provider, to allow customers an alternative and flexible way to pay for flights.

Klarna will add to their growing list of payment methods which include global names such as PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, Affirm, Apple Pay and Alipay in China. In recent years, there has been an explosion in popularity of point-of-sale lending and providing customers with the flexibility to pay for big purchases in instalments has become more important than ever.

Alternative Airlines’ Managing Director Sam Argyle explained how flexible finance solutions are growing in popularity in the travel market: “We’ve seen a real change in the way people purchase flights. We know that there is a lot of mental friction surrounding booking travel; where to go, where to book, how to travel are just some examples of things that need to be considered. Together with Klarna we aim to reduce the friction for our customers in the payment space as they from now on will be able to choose when and how they would like to pay for their travel, and thereby create a more enjoyable experience from start. ”

Women harness the power of Airbnb

Nada’s Airbnb Experiences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been curated to provide her global guests with memorable adventures. She hosts visitors in Dubai’s Old Town guiding them on walking tours to important landmarks from the city’s past.

Her firm philosophy is that guests should enjoy every minute they spend in the UAE and truly experience the place like a local. ‘El Bait Baitak’ is a well-known Arabic proverb that Nada lives by – it means “make yourself at home”.

Nada is one of millions of female hosts around the world who power the Airbnb community. Women make up nearly 56% of all hosts on our platform and have earned nearly USD 32 billion on Airbnb since the company was launched in 2008 – USD 12 billion of that in the past year alone.

UAE female hosts almost tie with men, representing 44% of all hosts locally for both Experiences and Homes.

Women in Iceland are among the highest-earning hosts on the platform, earning a typical income of USD 10,200 a year, followed by women in the Cook Islands who typically earn USD 10,000 a year on Airbnb. Overall, women in the US earned the most, USD 4 billion in 2018, followed by France where women made over USD 1 billion.

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amadeus weswap Alternative Airlines Nada – Airbnb Experience
Big Game: The hunt for an ‘end-to-end’ booking platform https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/the-quest-to-end-to-end-booking-platform/ Tue, 12 Mar 2019 06:50:18 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=497851 The post Big Game: The hunt for an ‘end-to-end’ booking platform appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

There has been a long quest for that one name in travel that caters to the need of a traveller from beginning to end. That is the dream!

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There has been a long quest for that one name in travel that caters to the need of a traveller from beginning to end. That is the dream!

With the recent move of Airbnb developing its transportation arm after it appointed Fred Reid as head of global transportation, it seems that the start-up is no longer content with properties and experiences.

Jenny Arden, Airbnb’s director of transportation, plays a galvanising force in shaping Airbnb’s latest ambition: to revolutionise the air travel and transportation aspects of travelling, as was revealed publicly last month. The company aspires to become a one-stop shop for all aspects of the travel experience.

With this recent development, Airbnb will be able to cater transportation, accommodation, and activities – everything you need for your trip.

While the exact focus on what transportation may entail for the company is still being kept under wraps, Arden stated: “Our mission at Airbnb is to provide a world where anyone can belong anywhere. This really means you can travel to a community you’ve never seen before and feel like you’re a welcome member there, even if it’s just temporarily. My hope is that all that mission and vision can be achieved in all stages of the trip. There should be no lack of thought that went into the end-to-end experience.”

That one name in travel

Airbnb is not alone in this quest, a lot of companies aspire to be that one name in travel that is a one-stop-shop as none has a solid ground as a single platform that the majority of consumers use. Some travel management companies claim that they can provide a single solution for travel managers and corporate travellers, but many of us still use multiple tools.

Travel and expense management provider KDS conducted a survey and revealed that 74% of the respondents would prefer one platform that would take care of all their travel needs from flights to hotels to tours.

Some companies are vying to be that single platform and they invest in various technologies or acquire smaller companies to fuel its expansion. Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel has a brand new vision – for the company to be synonymous with “travel” as it aims to widen its reach and strengthen its brand. The ultimate goal is for consumers to think of Booking.com when they think of travel and cater to the customers’ needs from beginning to end. Booking Holdings are investing in various technologies to augment its current offering.

LINE is on its way to becoming a ‘super-app’ that will offer services for the new experiential travel funnel, Venture Republic co-founder and CEO Kei Shibata told me recently. While LINE remains faithful to its core service, messaging, it has also added a number of services such as payment and insurance. In an exclusive interview, Shibata, said: “LINE is getting into a variety of different verticals and services. (Maybe like WeChat), it is now offering not only travel services but also shopping, food delivery, payment, news, insurance, jobs, music, comics, voice assistant, mobile phone/telecom… the list goes on.”

Kei Shibata showed off the company’s Inspire-Research-Plan & Book-Explore-Share funnel, which revealed that travellers no longer just plan, book and go. People want inspiration, ideas and travel tips before booking their trip.

Existing players

While the KDS survey reveals that people want to see a single platform, it also reveals that only 34% of the people who want a single platform actually use them. That is fewer than the 37% of corporate travellers that book their travel through suppliers’ website.

“A happy traveller means happy performance”

Asia Pacific travel manager of Ford Motor Company, Christine Liu, said that a single platform was not the answer, for it limits travellers’ options and freedom to use the systems they feel comfortable with. From the perspective of a travel manager, “a happy traveller means happy performance”.

She added that it is difficult to have a single platform that works globally. Liu said that what works in the US may not work in China, citing that the country’s regulations may affect the unification or consolidation of travel.

Speaking of China, Ctrip claims that it offers a one-stop solution for Chinese travellers. In a statement sent to me by Ctrip, “Ctrip Group offer a one-stop shopping experience for travellers around the world. With over 60 products and services related to travel for over 300 million registered users, we remain by our traveller’s side before, during and after their trip. The aim for us is to provide a seamless travel experience for all.”

“We are making investments in ABC-AI, Big Data and Cloud Computing to continuously ensure that we reply within seconds when a customer calls us to seek customer service help. Our personal goal remains: To serve our customers and provide top services for all. To work with travel partners and ensure that all stakeholders within the travel ecosystem are able to connect and work towards a seamless travel experience. The C in Ctrip Group stands for Customers so whatever the product and experience we ensure that it suits our travellers.”

The lack of a single platform inspired the creation of muvTravel – a new platform that enables users to plan their travel from beginning to end.

muvTravel CEO and founder Michel Karam said: “As an avid independent traveller, I was astonished to find, after so many years in the industry, there was still a lack of comprehensive integrated resources available to travellers looking to plan and book personalised getaways on their own, despite so many travel tech start-ups popping up every day.

“Simply put, it still takes too long to plan a trip and the chances of wasting valuable time and money on uninteresting visits and activities and missing out on good ones are just still too high. I wanted to create a one-stop shop where travellers could find everything they were looking for.”

The quest is still on to create or find the Amazon for travel – a single platform for all your travel needs. It is not a simple task, offering all services in one place is one thing, but a unified platform must entail a language and experience that suit everyone.

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VisitBritain to boost local experiences with Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/visitbritain-airbnb-collaboration/ Mon, 11 Feb 2019 02:30:07 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=494504 The post VisitBritain to boost local experiences with Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

London, United Kingdom

National tourism agency VisitBritain and Airbnb have announced a partnership to promote and broaden local-led tourism experiences.

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London, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom
Jazz musician playing in the streets of London, UK

National tourism agency VisitBritain and Airbnb have announced a partnership to promote and broaden local-led tourism experiences.

The GBP 500,000 match-funded partnership will work with businesses and destinations to promote local experiences and broaden the range of experiences available. It aims to get more Brits to take a holiday at home to boost tourism, collaborating with the tourism organisations of Scotland and Wales to promote local experiences.

Experiences on the Airbnb platform offers handcrafted activities, tours and educational workshops led by local experts, from a trip to a hidden jazz club in London, to trekking with llamas in the Yorkshire Moors.

“We want to boost demand for travel”

VisitBritain’s commercial director, Carol Dray, said: “Our Experiences collaboration with Airbnb greatly amplifies our marketing reach and increases the range and depth of bookable tourism experiences locally, giving people more choice.

“We want to boost demand for travel right now, inspiring more young Brits to take ‘microgaps’ and be advocates for experience-based travel in Britain now and in the future, benefitting local businesses and boosting the economy.”

Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Yorkshire, United Kingdom

The campaign’s focus is to get more young Brits to take a short break at home. It encourages them to take a ‘microgap’ — a break typically taken during a gap year but condensed into a short break.

“Open new streams of revenue”

Hadi Moussa, Airbnb general manager for Northern Europe, said: “Britain has always been a hub of creativity and innovation, with many locals having diverse skills and unique talents that should be celebrated and shared. From young entrepreneurs to charities and small businesses, this new partnership will help open new streams of revenue for local businesses and destinations, while also promoting everything that Britain has to offer.”

The partnership will also see the national tourism agency and Airbnb hosting a series of free regional workshops across Britain during March and April for destinations and local tourism businesses, entrepreneurs and charities.

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London, United Kingdom Jazz musician playing at the streets of London, UK Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Airbnb to build an “end-to-end platform” with latest hire https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-fred-reid/ Fri, 08 Feb 2019 04:23:07 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=494414 The post Airbnb to build an “end-to-end platform” with latest hire appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb is breaking into the travel market as the company just hired the founding head of Virgin America Fred Reid as global head of transportation.

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The post Airbnb to build an “end-to-end platform” with latest hire appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

fred-reid-airbnb
Fred Reid, head of global transportation, Airbnb

Airbnb is breaking into the travel market as the company just hired the founding head of Virgin America Fred Reid as global head of transportation.

After finding solutions to “where to stay” and “what to do” during a trip, Airbnb is now looking for ways on “how to get there”. From booking accommodations and local experiences, Airbnb aims to build an “end-to-end travel platform” by establishing partnerships with transport companies.

“Make travel seamless”

“In his role, Fred will focus on building partnerships and services that make travel seamless while delivering the kind of people-to-people hospitality Airbnb is known for,” the company said.

Details in this new arm are scarce and the company’s co-founder Brian Chesky has not revealed exactly what the partnerships would be.

“I’m not interested in building our own airline or creating just another place on the internet where you can buy a plane ticket,” he said.

He added that there was a “tremendous opportunity” to improve the transportation experience for everyone.

Reid expressed his excitement to work with Airbnb. He said: “Whether in the air or on the ground, there are tremendous opportunities to create products and forge partnerships with other companies that make travel easier and even fun. Realising those opportunities will take years and require constant experimentation, and I’m truly honoured to have the chance to take on such an audacious challenge with this team.”

Reid was Virgin America’s chief executive from 2004 to 2008. He also served as president of Cora Aircraft Program, a division of Kitty Hawk and Flexjet, an independent operating unit of Bombardier.

Airbnb, founded in 2008, says its accommodation marketplace provides access to more than five million places to stay in more than 81,000 cities and 191 countries. It also offers 15,000 unique activities around the world.

The company expects within the next two months to hit 500 million guest arrivals — the number of completed bookings since its formation.

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20 trend reports in 1: What travel will look like in 2019 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/new-year-special-the-ultimate-2019-travel-trends-guide/ Mon, 31 Dec 2018 02:00:30 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=491189 The post 20 trend reports in 1: What travel will look like in 2019 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Flooded with trend reports at the end of the year? TD has a special New Year's gift-- the lord of all trends reports to keep you on top of your game in 2019.

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The post 20 trend reports in 1: What travel will look like in 2019 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

As you were stuffing your faces with the last morsels of Christmas leftovers, I was reading all the travel trends reports sent to TD – 20, to be precise.

Nearly everyone is sharing reports that aim to predict what the travel industry will look like in the future, based on the pertinent data they have collected the past year. So TD has a special New Year’s gift — the lord of all trends reports to keep you on top of your game in 2019 and to give you a 360-degree view of the future of travel.

Aviation

Spacious savings

According to Skyscanner, passengers will be booking business class and premium economy more often as both saw a growth of 62% and 46% respectively thanks to lower fares. Virtuoso claims that luxury travellers favour airlines with state-of-the-art business and first-class cabins.

Moreover, VIP airport arrivals that whisk travellers through customs and immigration are growing in demand. Requests for private air transfers are on the rise.

Travellers are increasingly using mobile devices to book flights and travel. Skyscanner saw a spike of up to 3.5% in mobile use last year. In most Asian countries, booking and paying on mobile devices are becoming the norm; therefore, it will be beneficial for airlines to reinforce their mobile presence.

Brand USA predicts that airlines will continue to strengthen existing routes while adding a few more but, more importantly, low-cost carriers will offer more long-haul flights making it more accessible to more people.

Airlines = OTAs?

We talked about NDC a lot in 2018 and saw its fruition when Qantas welcomed Corporate Travel Management (CTM) in its NDC-fied booking platform. According to FCM Solutions, 2019 is also the year when we will see a major focus on distribution as NDC becomes more of a reality.

In relation to NDC, more airlines are moving towards the hotel intermediary space – and in some cases even tour operator space – to increase revenues, Hotelbeds predicts.

Over the last few years, the company has seen a trend for airlines approaching to start selling hotel accommodation on their website, they added. As airlines look to diversify their revenue sources and increase their margins, the opportunity to cross-sell a loyal customer a hotel room offers potentially more profit than the flight itself.

Hotelbeds also added that we are seeing more airlines wanting to go a step further and actually become a tour operator– offering a complete package to customers by giving them a combination of a flight and hotel.

Hospitality

LTI - Luxury Travel Intelligence

Unconventional accommodation

Experiential travellers are craving to stay in unconventional accommodations, Virtuoso noted.

A UK-based hotel PR firm also added that hotels will be bringing the great outdoors inside the hotel by increasing  the number of all-season terraces, showcasing gorgeous indoor plants and panoramic views. This trend will help guests to enjoy the great outdoors from the luxury and comfort of their rooms, creating memorable experiences that highlight natural beauty.

Booking.com said that people want to explore uncharted territories, such as accommodation under the sea as well as in space. The more unconventional it is, the better it looks on social media.

Airbnb slowdown

After we witnessed the exponential growth of the alternative accommodation sector, this year has seen a massive slowdown in growth and that will continue next year, according to the Hotelbeds report. The likes of Airbnb are still growing well, of course, but nothing like before.

Perhaps explains why Airbnb is expanding into other areas, such as cross-selling ancillaries or ‘Experiences’. They are realising that ultimately they are intermediaries – just another sales platform – and in that respect, they are becoming more like OTAs.

As alternative accommodation is declining, Brand USA predicts that we can expect more luxury hotel openings. In line with this, service will become the key differentiator for hotels, not price – helped by technological innovation.

However, we may see the sharing economy as one of the major new options in corporate travel. Based on Airbnb’s report, the company has seen a huge number of business travellers using Airbnb for Work in 2018.

Sustainable practices

We have seen many hotels adopting sustainable practices this year, such as banning single-use plastics in the property as well as participating in environmental clean-ups. According to WATG, as the sharing and resale economy grows apace and we increasingly reject the built-in obsolescence of so much of what we buy, product designers are reassessing product lifespans.

Therefore, 2019 will see the first refurbishment strategy where 100% of the design is built upon repurposed and recycled furniture and fittings.

Tech

Seamless solutions

Booking.com, FOX PR, and CLIA all agree that frictionless travel is the next main goal of the industry and technology plays a big part in this. Travellers love the idea of keyless room-access, robotic concierge, and personalised travel tips.

We have seen initial steps towards these, with hotels adopting smart technology in their rooms and use of AI and robots in processing inquiries, check-in, and check-out. Travellers also rely increasingly on AI and voice search when buying travel.

Meanwhile, highly personalised itineraries, amenities and individually curated experiences are increasingly in demand. Short-form, hyper-relevant and individualised content, which can be integrated into a traveller’s feed, is also becoming the norm.

Social media’s influence

Instagram makes travellers look for the most captivating backdrops and CLIA claims that Instagram is a force in cruise too. As more cruise tours offer WiFi connectivity onboard, passengers are filling their feeds with experiences both onboard and on land destinations.

For APAC travellers, Skyscanner reveals that social media comes second only to word of mouth for source of inspiration.

Cybersecurity

2018 saw numerous cloud cybersecurity incidents due to lack of security fundamentals. According to Palo Alto Networks, travel companies will augment their security to prevent similar events and to manage risks.

Moreover, we may finally see companies and executives being penalised when they do not take GDPR seriously. This will be alongside the implementation of the NIS Directive, the EU Cybersecurity Act and the US Cloud Act.

Cruise

CLIA revealed some interesting insights into the cruise sector in 2019. The report claimed that 30 million passengers are expected to go on a cruise next year. 18 new ships are scheduled to debut in 2019. Below are some of the highlights of the report:

  • Cruise companies now offer total wellness offering to relieve stress. These are in the form of restorative spa experiences, healthy menu choices, and fitness equipment
  • Travellers are setting sights on destinations that were previously out of reach – some are accessible only by cruise, such as the Galapagos and Antarctica. Bucket lists have become more goal-oriented and cruise lines are aiming to meet these demands
  • Gen Z is set to be the largest consumer of travel in 2020 and they prefer experiences over material things. The appeal of multiple destinations and unique experiences are attracting this generation of experiential travellers
  • Off-peak season adventures are also rising in popularity. Cruise offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences even during colder months

Tourism

Hot destination: Turkey

Skyscanner, FOX PR, ABTA and Kayak expressed travellers’ sudden interest in Turkey and claimed that it will be one of the hottest destinations next year. Skyscanner and Kayak both saw an increase in demand on flights to Turkey. Kayak saw a 60% jump on UK travellers booking flights, while Skyscanner observed 35% increase of APAC traveller bookings.

Meanwhile, Japan remains as the top destination in APAC region with three of its cities made it to the top 10, according to Skyscanner. For UK travellers, New York remains the number one holiday destination.

Luxury and experiential travel agency Virtuoso, on the other hand, places Italy on top of many rankings, such as: top global destination, top millennial destination, top family destination and top honeymoon destination.

Rise of female and solo travellers

2019 is expected to see an increase in the number of solo and women travellers, says CLIA, TAXIDIO, WATG and Brand USA. More travellers will be travelling outside their comfort zones. Women will go on high-octane adventures, including women-only journeys that empower and provide an opportunity to develop new skills and passions.

A 2018 survey of US women identified that 73% of women felt that travel makes them stronger. Now, 75% of cultural, adventure and nature travellers are female.

Meanwhile, there will be a rise in epic adventures and solo travel. As many of us opt for ever more localised experiences, millennials and luxury consumers are swapping holidays in popular destinations for trips to unexpected, unexplored and difficult to get to locations.

30% of high-earning travellers have admitted that they are travelling alone to be alone, so there is no surprise that the requests for helipads have been on the rise by 86% in the last year. 32% of travellers are now stating private beaches are a must for their holiday next year.

Thanks to sharing economy, people will embark on sharecations. GTC Travel Group claims that group travel for next year is geared around education. GTC Travel Group saw a rise in student group travel to China and South Africa of up to 30% and 15% growth, respectively. More British students are eager to learn Mandarin.

Experiences

Bespoke experiences are still king

Travellers will continue to seek new and authentic experiences, going beyond sightseeing. Bucket lists will continue to become more goal-oriented.

There is a strong desire to live like a local, and luxury increasingly represents authentic experiences. While unique experiences remain a priority, travellers also want to ensure that they can travel in safety, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Driven by social media content, travellers are craving unconventional and dazzling Instagram moments, says WATG.

From private dinners with influential local figures to obscure local festivals and events in breathtaking locations, the creation of the ‘one-of-a-kind’ moments will have strong resonance in the year ahead. Celebration travel will grow at a rapid pace and become stronger and more innovative in content.

Conscious travel

According to Booking.com, 2019 will see more conscious travellers roam the world as 49% feel social issues in possible travel destinations are of real importance when choosing where to go and 58% choose not to go to a destination if they feel it negatively impacts the people who live there.

Millennials and Gen Z travellers will look for sustainable experiences in their destination as 86% of global travellers say that they would be willing to spend some time on activities that offset the environmental impact of their stay.

ABTA, CLIA, FOX PR, WATG and Stay One Degree all agree that now, the majority strive to be a responsible traveller. A key topic for the year ahead will be how to maximise economic benefits while managing environmental and social downsides everywhere from Maya Bay in Thailand to the Everglades National Park in Florida; this is a global dilemma.

Even the top 1% is more charitable. 16% of luxury travellers said that the environment is a top concern for them. Bookings for ethical and eco-friendly escapes are predicted to rise by 70% within the network that has an emphasis on properties with natural energy and locally-sourced produce.

In addition, there is a rise in people’s desire to learn something while away, as well as an increase in volunteering and skills-based vacations across generations as 56% of global travellers agree travelling has taught them invaluable life skills.

Even for luxury travellers, Stay One Degree reports that 21% said that the most important factor to booking a trip is if they are able to learn a new skill whilst on holiday. Luxury travellers value their time and are looking to make full use of their time off from work and their everyday tasks. Many want to return from their trips with something priceless and enriching to their life.

The report adds that 33% of luxury travellers are actively seeking out food-specific destinations with access well respected Michelin-starred restaurants, local produce markets and nearby culinary courses.

65% of high-earners said that it will be necessary to have a personal chef to stay at their holiday homes for the duration of their stay with many of them wanting to receive lessons during their stay. The rise in culinary travel also sees a vast number of people travelling for beverage-based experiences unavailable in their hometowns or countries.

Sweat crawl replaces pub crawl

In the past, we used to enjoy pub crawls. Now, travellers are gym-hopping. How the world has changed…

FOX PR reports that 2019 will be all about fitness with ‘sweat crawls’ and mobile workouts.

30% of luxury travellers have said that mindfulness and well-being activities are their main priority when booking their next holiday. The obvious yoga retreat option remains popular; however, holiday homeowners are noticing in-depth spiritual guidance and self-discovery treatments are becoming necessary to secure bookings.

Even in hotels and cruise ships, restorative experiences are becoming more popular and spa and gym are normal amenities.

Bite-sized travel

Several reports claim that travellers go on much shorter holidays– an average of three days. Shorter trips should not mean less fun; travellers are squeezing curated travel itineraries into shorter timeframes.

According to Skyscanner, APAC travellers are notorious in this field due to several factors, while Westerners go on much longer holidays – an average of seven to 10 days.

One of the driving forces in bite-sized travel is the rise of bleisure. Business travellers combine business and leisure; therefore, they often extend their business trip to accommodate a few days of personal activities.

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solo travel Aviation Luxury Hotel AI in hospitality Bodrum Castle and Marina, Turkey
Travel tech this week: Google and Airbnb’s new acquisitions and more https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/travel-tech-this-week-google-and-airbnb-new-acquisitions-and-more/ Thu, 20 Dec 2018 03:12:33 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=490697 The post Travel tech this week: Google and Airbnb’s new acquisitions and more appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

This week, we saw travel tech giants acquire smaller companies to fuel their growth and industry leaders drive innovation.

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The post Travel tech this week: Google and Airbnb’s new acquisitions and more appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

This week, we saw travel tech giants acquire smaller companies to fuel their growth and industry leaders drive innovation.

Here are the tech stories that turned our heads this week.

Holiday Parks & Hotels expands online distribution

Holiday Parks & Hotels can now seamlessly manage availability and rates through Availpro & Fastbooking’s NewBook. The latter boasts that hoteliers can enjoy operational efficiency and control rate parity all through one system.

NewBook is an award-winning property management software designed especially for the tourism industry and has a proven track record in increasing bookings and productivity, transforming thousands of hotels, apartments and RV & holiday park clients’ businesses globally. It uses artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, enhance guest experiences and increase revenue in its clients’ businesses.

Four Seasons adds WhatsApp in chat service

four-seasons-app
Four Seasons app

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has expanded its multi-channel chat service with the recent addition of WhatsApp. An innovator in the luxury hospitality mobile space, Four Seasons launched its multi-channel messaging platform in 2017 without the use of chatbots. The service is 100% powered by humans and translates 100+ languages in real time, allowing for response times averaging 90 seconds or less.

Guests can use Four Seasons Chat for any inquiry or service, big or small, including requests for restaurant recommendations and reservations, ordering room service, making or altering golf and spa reservations, obtaining advice on the best nearby shopping, notifying the property of a late arrival or early checkout, ordering drinks poolside, and even ordering a private jet.

WTO pairs with Unidigital

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has provided its support at the inauguration of Unidigital in Argentina as the first specialised hub for tourism in the Americas. Unidigital is the result of the collaboration between the public and private sectors to promote innovation in tourism. It will offer services, products and training in digital transformation, in order to allow the most disruptive entrepreneurs in tourism in the Americas to develop their projects.

Google acquires Indian start-up

Google has acquired Sigmoid Labs, a Bangalore-based start-up behind Where is my Train, an app that helps users track their trains across India offline without the need for GPS or internet connectivity.

Details of the deal have not been disclosed. However, the tech giant reportedly paid around USD 30 to 40 million for the acquisition.

Airbnb acquires Luckey Homes

Airbnb has acquired a French concierge services/property management company Luckey Homes for an undisclosed sum.

In a press statement, Airbnb country manager for France, Emmanuel Marill, said, “We are delighted to welcome the Luckey team to the Airbnb family. Luckey Homes not only shares our very high standards for hospitality but also has developed an innovative and highly scalable approach that can help more people become hosts. We look forward to building new and better services that will make hosting on Airbnb even easier.”

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Airbnb: “Creative communities are essential to vibrant, inclusive economies” https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/creative-communities-essential-airbnb/ Mon, 19 Nov 2018 12:27:33 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=487451 The post Airbnb: “Creative communities are essential to vibrant, inclusive economies” appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Following a recent study by Airbnb, the accommodation-sharing platform has discovered that amongst all of their hosts in Thailand two thousand work in the creative industry.

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The Mustang Nero Hotel

Following a recent study by Airbnb, the accommodation-sharing platform has discovered that among all of their hosts in Thailand, 2,000 work in the creative industry.

‘So what’, you might say, but think about it: these are not just arty hosts but creative entrepreneurs who use their business acumen to support themselves financially, while living out their dreams and passions who also create unique accommodations with individual aesthetic and atmospheres adding strength, depth and colour to a market’s value.

“Ensure our guests have a truly unique stay”

Discussing how Airbnb have helped nurture her business, Ananda Chalardcharoen, owner of The Mustang Nero Hotel in Bangkok, said: “The Mustang Nero Hotel is one-of-a-kind.

“I’ve put a lot of effort into the design and décor to ensure our guests have a truly unique stay, and at the same time I hope to showcase a creative side of Thailand to my guests.

“Airbnb has been essential in helping The Mustang Nero Hotel reach customers and grow as a business. I would say 95% of our bookings today come through Airbnb.”

The study, based on responses from more than 110,000 hosts and guests, also revealed that nearly a quarter of all creative Airbnb hosts in Thailand are based in Bangkok. They know the soul of Bangkok’s cultural scene, and are eager to share the creative and cultural highlights of their city with guests within their very own neighbourhoods.

With vivid imaginations and a strong work ethic these kind of hosts are also becoming more and more important as the tourists want to experience life in a destination how a local does.

Being hardwired into the local arts and music scenes, more and more of these “creative hosts” are becoming guides for Airbnb Experiences, by handcrafting activities for small groups of guests.

 

One in every five Airbnb Experiences in Thailand are creative-based – rooted in the arts, entertainment, fashion or music.

“Growing interest in travel to promote local culture and creativity”

“Thriving creative communities are essential to vibrant, inclusive economies such as Thailand. Airbnb is proud of the supporting role we play as a technology platform that leverages the growing interest in travel to promote local culture and creativity, while nurturing tourism that is local, authentic and sustainable,” said Mich Goh, Airbnb head of public policy for Southeast Asia.

Long live the creative mind, not only as an entrepreneur but someone with a finger on the pulse of their locality – this will only become more important as we move into 2019.

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Airbnb: "Creative communities are essential to vibrant, inclusive economies" Following a recent study by Airbnb, the accommodation-sharing platform has discovered that among all of their hosts in Thailand, 2,000 work in the creative industry. 'So what', you might say, but think about it: these are not just arty hosts but creative entrepreneurs who use their business acumen t Airbnb,The Mustang Nero Hotel The Mustang Nero Hotel (6)_h The Mustang Nero Hotel Ananda Chalardcharoen_Owner_The Mustang Nero Hotel_h (1)
Airbnb speeds up tourism with B-STAY for MotoGP 2018 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-b-stay-motogp-2018/ Fri, 05 Oct 2018 09:37:59 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=483973 The post Airbnb speeds up tourism with B-STAY for MotoGP 2018 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb - B-STAY

Airbnb has partnered with local homestay provider B-STAY to promote tourism and build flexible accommodation supply for MotoGP 2018.

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Thai MotoGP
Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) winter test 2018 at Chang International Circuit

Airbnb has partnered with local homestay provider B-STAY to promote tourism and build flexible accommodation supply for MotoGP 2018.

Airbnb, the pioneering home-sharing company, announced its partnership with local homestay provider B-STAY to promote sports tourism in Buriram — in time for the 2018 Thai MotoGP. The goal in mind is to empower local homestay entrepreneurs and build a flexible accommodation supply as the province establishes itself as a global sports tourism hub.

“Hospitality is the lifeblood of many small and dedicated entrepreneurs in Thailand”

Pongpanu Svetarundra, the permanent secretary of Thailand Ministry of Tourism & Sports, said: “Hospitality is the lifeblood of many small and dedicated entrepreneurs in Thailand, and a key pillar of growth in many secondary provinces and local communities. The partnership will help scale accommodation ahead of an influx of global visitors for the MotoGP and sports tourism events throughout the year.”

Airbnb - B-STAY
Delegates from Airbnb, B-STAY and MOTS Department of Tourism

Under the agreement, Airbnb will promote more than 65 B-STAY local homestays in Buriram and help locals share their homes to visitors from around the world.

The agreement is supported by an initiative that transpired back in August when Airbnb collaborated with the MOTS Department of Tourism and B-STAY, to conduct a community development training session for locals. During the workshop, Airbnb trained Buriram homestay entrepreneurs on hospitality, hosting and compliance standards, and shared tips to enhance the quality of their homestays.

B-STAY, which recruits and screens local hosts and homes by visiting their accommodations, supports hosts by creating and managing their listings on the Airbnb platform.

Siew Kum Hong, the regional director for the Asia Pacific at Airbnb, added: “Our partnership will ensure that the economic impact of hosting large events like the MotoGP and Buriram Marathon are healthy and sustainable, with socioeconomic benefits that directly reach the thesaban (municipalities) and tambon (sub-districts).”

Around the world, Airbnb is known for helping cities host significant events by putting the spotlight on the cities’ best assets. In Thailand, Airbnb has partnered with the Thailand Department of Local Administration earlier this year, to empower local tourism entrepreneurs.

The new partnership builds on that commitment, supporting healthy travel and empowering local hospitality micro-entrepreneurs in Buriram.

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Airbnb speeds up tourism with B-STAY for MotoGP 2018 Airbnb has partnered with local homestay provider B-STAY to promote tourism and build flexible accommodation supply for MotoGP 2018. Airbnb,B-STAY,MotoGP 2018,Pongpanu Svetarundra,Siew Kum Hong,B-STAY Thai MotoGP Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) winter test 2018 at Chang International Circuit Airbnb – B-STAY Delegates from Airbnb, B-STAY and MOTS Department of Tourism
Airbnb puts Thai local boutique hotels on the global stage https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-puts-thai-local-boutique-hotels-on-the-global-stage/ Wed, 26 Sep 2018 08:02:12 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=482877 The post Airbnb puts Thai local boutique hotels on the global stage appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb unveiled details of its new partnership with the Thailand Boutique Accommodation Trade Association (TBAA) at a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at Beat Hotel in Bangkok this morning.

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Airbnb unveiled details of its new partnership with the Thailand Boutique Accommodation Trade Association (TBAA) at a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at Beat Hotel in Bangkok this morning.

The new relationship will see the two companies join forces to boost Thailand’s boutique accommodations sector by bringing these unique and individual properties to the Airbnb platform (which has handled more than 300 million reservations since it started in 2008).

“Boutique hotels play an increasingly key role”

Mike Orgill, Airbnb country manager for Southeast Asia said: “Thailand is one of Airbnb’s largest markets in Southeast Asia, and our partnership with the TBAA marks a significant step forward for our business and community here. Boutique hotels play an increasingly key role in driving the tourism ecosystem through their authentic host-led hospitality and distinctive local design.

“We are excited to work with the TBAA to bring boutique entrepreneurs onto our platform, and connect them with a growing global audience who desire to experience iconic Thai hospitality in an intimate, design-centric setting. We look forward to continue engaging with government and industry stakeholders to drive demand for local and sustainable travel in Thailand, through a wide variety of accommodation options from boutique hotels to homestays and treehouses.”

Beat Hotel, a unique art themed hotel in downtown Bangkok

The MOU is the first time the TBAA has entered into such an agreement with a company outside of Thailand, and follows Airbnb’s arrangement with the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Local Administration to train local homestay providers across the country’s 76 provinces.

Similarly the new agreement will see Airbnb commit to workshops for TBAA members to bring them up to speed on how to best use the popular travel app, as well as the technical skills to market their product.

Moreover the collaboration hopes to contribute to regional economies by encouraging travellers to Thailand to head beyond the obvious tourist destinations and stimulate growth. In the past year alone, Airbnb’s host community in Thailand has welcomed close to 1.7 million guests into their homes, creating a combined THB 4 billion (USD 119 million) in income for local Thais.

Suparerk Soorangura, president of Thailand Boutique Accommodation Trade Association and advisor to the Thai Travel Agents Association, said: “The TBAA’s collaboration with Airbnb is an exciting opportunity for boutique hotel owners in Thailand, which will showcase their uniqueness and creativity to a global audience through the Airbnb platform.

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Airbnb unveiled details of its new partnership with the Thailand Boutique Accommodation Trade Association (TBAA) The Beat Hotel Beat Hotel
Astro-tourism: Airbnb launches ‘blood moon’ experience https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-launches-blood-moon-experience/ Fri, 13 Jul 2018 05:38:49 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=475217 The post Astro-tourism: Airbnb launches ‘blood moon’ experience appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has launched a unique Social Impact Experience to offer guests a close view of the Red Planet by visiting the world’s largest telescope, the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) in Spain’s Canary Islands.

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The Milky Way - Astro-tourism
The Milky Way, visible next to Gran Telescopio Canarias

Airbnb has launched a unique Social Impact Experience to offer guests a close view of the Red Planet by visiting the world’s largest telescope, the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) in Spain’s Canary Islands.

In today’s experience-driven industry, astro-tourism has become of interest and it’s steadily gaining ground. To capitalise on this trend, Airbnb is offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience to its guests and hosts – a glimpse of the Red Planet through the world’s largest telescope.

From 27 July to 31 July, Mars will draw closer to the Earth as it has been in 15 years. In effect, the red planet will cause the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st-century in which the moon will turn red, a phenomenon called the ‘blood moon’.

On the night of the 27th, Airbnb hosts will offer stargazers a visit to the largest single-aperture optical and infrared telescope in the world, the Gran Telescopio Canarias. The experience will be hosted by Juan Antonio González, a local astronomy guide and night photography expert, and Antonio Luis Cabrera, chief of scientific operations of GTC.

Mars (left) and the Milky Way (right) - Astro-tourism
Mars (left) and the Milky Way (right), visible from an Airbnb listing in La Palma

Joe Zadeh, head of Airbnb Experiences, commented: “This experience at GTC is an extraordinary opportunity for travellers worldwide to marvel at the beauty of the night sky, and to educate the general public on why it’s important to preserve it.”

“Astro-tourism is an environmentally friendly, authentic, sustainable way to travel”

“Astro-tourism is an environmentally friendly, authentic, sustainable way to travel that can economically empower lesser-known, rural communities, and we are proud to be boosting this phenomenon thanks to hosts who share their home or passion for astronomy on the platform.”

Guests preparing to observe Mars - Astro-tourism
Guests preparing to observe Mars in one of the best locations on the planet

The 6-hour experience will give the opportunity to clearly see Mars in its full red glory in one of the best stargazing spots on the planet and show them the importance of dark-sky preservation. It will only be available once for up to six guests, on a first come, first served basis at EUR 40 (USD 46) each. All booking fees will be donated to WWF Spain.

Other trending astro-tourism destinations include Antofagasta (327% year-on-year growth) a Chilean city located next to the Atacama desert which is home to some of the best telescopes in the world; La Palma, Spain (90%); Kiruna, Sweden (134%); and Yarmouth, Canada (221%).

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The Milky Way, visible next to Gran Telescopio Canarias Mars (left) and the Milky Way (right), visible from an Airbnb listing in La Palma. Guests preparing to observe Mars in one of the best locations on the planet, next to Gran Telescopio Canarias.
Airbnb pairs with Thai government to boost hospitality standards https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-pairs-with-thai-government/ Thu, 12 Jul 2018 04:46:17 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=474844 The post Airbnb pairs with Thai government to boost hospitality standards appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

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Airbnb has announced its first official partnership with the Thai government to train local provincial officials on hospitality, hosting, and compliance standards.

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airbnb-thailand-government-partnership

Airbnb has announced an official partnership with the Thai government, to train local provincial officials on hospitality, hosting, and compliance standards.

The ‘Empowering Local Tourism Entrepreneurs’ partnership, between the company and Thailand Ministry of Interior’s Department of Local Administration (DLA), will train local officials across all 76 provinces to boost hospitality standards and will onboard existing homestays onto Airbnb’s global platform.

As part of the partnership, Airbnb and the Ministry of Interior’s DLA agree to:

  • Conduct training sessions focused on sharing information about Airbnb, how to use the platform to distribute tourism income to local communities across Thailand
  • Train officials on hospitality, hosting and compliance standards to raise the quality of local homestays
  • Equip officials with the digital literacy skills to help locals create and manage their own listings on the platform
  • Build a local community of hosts in each province who can support and learn from each other

First in Southeast Asia

The launch was followed by a country-first joint training workshop conducted by three Airbnb Superhosts and Community Leaders, and guest speakers from the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Provincial Administration and the Thai Immigration Bureau.

Over 100 Thai officials attended the workshop including representatives from the Provincial Office for Local Administrations, and selected local administrative organizations in the tourism sector across 11 provinces.

“This will help them provide the best hospitality experience and further attract returning travellers.”

The DLA’s director general Suttipong Juljarern said: “The Department (DLA) believes the partnership with Airbnb will strengthen communities across the country and encourage the formation of a comprehensive ecosystem for tourism management…and will surely encourage economic development in rural areas.

“This will help us achieve the United Nations’ and the Royal Thai Government’s goals to alleviate poverty, as this additional stream of revenue for locals means the improvement of their living standards in all respects.

“The training workshop will help promote development in local areas by sustainably building accommodation capacity, and upskilling and empowering officials to become professional community managers. It also prepares locals to be ready to host and welcome both Thai and foreign tourists to their communities. This will help them provide the best hospitality experience and further attract returning travellers.”

“Airbnb has always been open to working with the government”

Airbnb has entered partnerships with government agencies in over 300 cities worldwide to strengthen their footing in the market. Cheryl Tay, regional public affairs specialist of Airbnb Asia Pacific, confirmed to me that it is the first partnership of Airbnb with a country in Southeast Asia and they are very excited.

When asked whether the company will replicate this partnership in other countries in SEA, Tay said: “I can’t say for now if we will replicate this because each city is different and we have to tailor it. However, Airbnb has always been open to working with the government on the basis of what makes sense for them.”

Is Airbnb illegal in Thailand?

Earlier this year, Airbnb caused quite a stir in APAC when several countries reviewed how the company operates its business. In Thailand, a court in Hua Hin province ruled that short-term rentals or those rented out on a daily or weekly basis are illegal. People renting out their rooms have not obtained a license to run a hotel business under the 2004 Hotel Act.

District authorities enforcing the hotel act for apartment rentals have increased since 2016 with some Airbnb community members seeking clarification from the home-sharing site on the legal status. However, the crackdown is not particularly focusing on online home-sharing, but rather owners of condos, or apartments, who engage in daily rentals.

While not directly pointing fingers to Airbnb, if the ruling is enforced nationwide, it could endanger Airbnb’s position in the kingdom. Condo owners who let their units to Thai and foreign customers via the app fear that the ruling will no longer allow them to operate their business.

Hua Hin

This issue caused a lot of confusion among hosts and guests whether Airbnb is seizing its operation in the kingdom. Due to the confusion, Airbnb requested a review of the Hotel Act to accommodate the changing of times and the changes in how we travel.

Cheryl Tay confirmed that guests can still book accommodation in Thailand and it is business as usual for them. Tay also emphasized how big the market is in Thailand saying that there are over 60,000 listings in the country. Bangkok was the most visited city in 2017 making it a valuable market for the company. She added that the partnership will benefit the local tourism in Thailand.

“Promoting digital inclusion”

“We are committed to working with the Ministry of Interior’s DLA to support local homestays across Thailand by empowering communities with important hospitality skills and connecting them to an international network of travelers, while promoting responsible and sustainable travel,” Mich Goh, Airbnb head of public policy for Southeast Asia, said.

“By promoting digital inclusion and the effective use of our platform to attract inbound guests domestically and abroad, we will help drive economic growth in areas that have not traditionally benefited from tourism,” Goh added.

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Direct bookings startup Triptease’s funding reaches USD 13 million https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/direct-bookings-startup-tripteases-funding-reaches-usd-13-million/ Tue, 26 Jun 2018 11:24:53 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=473500 The post Direct bookings startup Triptease’s funding reaches USD 13 million appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Following our story in April where Triptease content manager Lily McIlwain, told us about the direct booking start up's report into the future of A/B testing, the company has now announced it has raised USD 4 million from original investors BGF and Notion Capital.

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Following our story in April where Triptease content manager Lily McIlwain, told us about the direct booking start up’s report into the future of A/B testing, the company has now announced it has raised USD 4 million from original investors BGF and Notion Capital.

The additional funds bring the total monies raised up to a total of USD 13 million.

Charlie Osmond, founder and chief tease at Triptease, said: “We are delighted that our investors want to back us further in our bid to shift the world to direct bookings. A direct relationship with customers reduces a hotel’s spend on middleman commissions whilst allowing them to offer cutting-edge services like mobile check-in alongside ancillary upsells. Savvy consumers have also started to realise hotels prefer guests who book direct. Room upgrades and special incentives have become commonplace benefits for booking direct.”

Triptease in Asia

Triptease will use the additional cash to develop its business in Asia, following on from the successful opening of its Singapore office last year. As well as to continue developing its products and services, notably by upping the current roll our rate of its automated chatbot to more hotels in the region.

The latest tranche of funding will also go towards the development and expansion Triptease’s Direct Booking Summit event, which takes place in different regions around the world three times a year – with the next edition kicking off in Amsterdam on 27 June, with representatives from Best Western, Google and Airbnb.

We are very happy to provide Triptease with more capital – Simon Calver, BGF

Simon Calver, head of investments-ventures, at BGF, said: “Triptease is building its business around the world very rapidly. As consolidation takes place across the travel sector, there is a huge opportunity for Triptease to sell its software to hoteliers who really care about building a high-quality business. As a patient capital investor BGF is excited about the long-term growth potential that travel offers for disruptive software businesses and we are very happy to provide Triptease with more capital as its expansion continues apace.”

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Direct bookings startup Triptease's funding reaches USD 13 million Following our story in April where Triptease content manager Lily McIlwain, told us about the direct booking start up's report into the future of A/B testing, the company has now announced it has raised USD 4 million from investors BGF and Notion Capital. charlie osmond,BGF,Notion Capital,Google,Best Western,Airbnb,triptease,Triptease Trip-tease-C-e1515571460290
Airbnb suffers blow in APAC with new legal rulings https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-apac-new-regulations/ Sun, 10 Jun 2018 13:34:35 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=471796 The post Airbnb suffers blow in APAC with new legal rulings appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has said that new legislation in Asia and the Pacific “stinks”. Japan, Thailand, and Australia recently released new regulations that will affect the company’s listings. Japan and New South Wales in Australia have put a cap on the number of days that people can rent their properties. In Thailand, the court ruled that it […]

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Airbnb has said that new legislation in Asia and the Pacific “stinks”. Japan, Thailand, and Australia recently released new regulations that will affect the company’s listings.

Japan and New South Wales in Australia have put a cap on the number of days that people can rent their properties. In Thailand, the court ruled that it is illegal to rent out a room on a daily or weekly basis.

Supporters of the regulations argue that, while the service provides a wider range of lodging options for budget-conscious travellers, Airbnb is detrimental to housing prices and supply as well as the identity of the community.

These hurdles are nothing new for the home-sharing company. A number of cities like Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, New York, and San Francisco have in the past set up special regulations to short-term rentals and it seems that APAC is simply catching up.

airbnb-app

Japan’s ‘minpaku’ law

Japan has rolled out a new law called private temporary lodging or ‘minpaku’ law, which will become effective on 15 June. Under the new legislation, hosts must register their listing and obtain a license to operate. Moreover, hosts can only offer short-term accommodation of up to 180 days.

As a response, Airbnb voluntarily removed 80% of its listings prior to the effective date of the law, bringing the 62,000 listings recorded earlier this year down to 13,000. Moreover, the Japanese government approved 152 out of 724 applications, according to Japan Tourism Agency.

The Japanese government has ordered that any host without a license number (including those whose license are in the registration process or awaiting their license) to cancel all reservations made prior to 15 June.

Airbnb said that it will abide by the new law and will not display the listings of properties without a permit. Rooms that were removed will be reinstated once the host obtains the permit and submits relevant information to the company.

“We know this stinks – and that’s an understatement”

“We are incredibly sorry. We know this stinks – and that’s an understatement,” Airbnb said in a statement.

The company created Japan Travel Response Plan for the guests whose travel is inconvenienced by Japan’s new policy. This will include a full refund to travellers and a 24/7 support if they need to find a new place to stay. Airbnb also claimed that it will continue to help its partners in obtaining a license to operate.

Airbnb is one of the short-term rental sites connected to PriceMethod's technology

Australia’s crackdown

In New South Wales in Australia, the government took action on Airbnb listings that are ‘permanent,’ which blurs the demarcation line between hotel rooms and home sharing.

The NSW government announced new rules on short-term rentals that will cap short-term letting to half the year in Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. It will also allow strata corporations to vote to ban Airbnb and the likes, but only investors who own apartments in the building will be impeded by the rules.

Despite the crackdown, Airbnb commended the NSW government with the new rules saying that it “strikes the right balance”. The new rules protect the homeowners while reprimanding bad behaviour.

Airbnb’s global head of policy Chris Lehane said: “Airbnb welcomes the new fair and innovative rules announced by the New South Wales Government which give home sharing the green light in NSW. They bring the rules for home sharing into the 21st century and send a clear signal that NSW embraces healthy tourism.

“With the cost-of-living painfully high, these fair and innovative rules will make it simple and easy for people and working families to share their own homes to make extra income. The rules will be a boost for the NSW economy and a welcome relief for the countless small, local businesses who rely on the Airbnb guest dollar,” Sam McDonagh, Airbnb’s country manager for Australia, added.

Thailand’s court ruling

Last month, the Thai court ruled that rooms rented out on a daily or weekly basis are illegal based on the decision handed down to Wan Vayla Condo in Hua Hin District of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. People renting out their rooms have not obtained a license to run a hotel business under the 2004 Hotel Act are acting illegally.

District authorities enforcing the hotel act for apartment rentals have increased since 2016 with some Airbnb community members seeking clarification from the home-sharing site on the legal status. However, the crackdown is not particularly focusing on online home-sharing, but rather owners of condos, or apartments, who engage in daily rentals.

While not directly pointing fingers to Airbnb, if the ruling is enforced nationwide, it could endanger Airbnb’s position in the kingdom. Condo owners that let their units to Thai and foreign customers via the app fear that the ruling will no longer allow them to operate their business.

Airbnb has no official comment yet pertaining to their company’s standing in Thailand. However, reports claimed that the home-sharing company is meeting with the Thai government to settle the issue and to arrive at a compromise.

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Airbnb suffers blow in APAC with new legal rulings Airbnb is in trouble in some countries in Asia and the Pacific. Japan, Thailand, and Australia recently released new rules that will affect the company’s listings. Chris Lehane,Airbnb,Sam McDonagh,airbnb airbnb icon shutterstock_374035687 Airbnb users can now add local activities and tours into their accommodation bookings Airbnb
Airbnb donates €1.25 million to Community Tourism Programme https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-community-tourism-programme/ Thu, 31 May 2018 09:30:29 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=470609 The post Airbnb donates €1.25 million to Community Tourism Programme appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has released details concerning the first recipients of its €5 million Community Tourism Programme. More than €1.25 million has been awarded to 24 community projects from London to Lisbon, Barcelona to Bologna, that use innovation to help promote local customs, preserve unique landmarks, and encourage healthy tourism that makes communities stronger.

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Airbnb has released details concerning the first recipients of its €5 million Community Tourism Programme. More than €1.25 million has been awarded to 24 community projects from London to Lisbon, Barcelona to Bologna, that use innovation to help promote local customs, preserve unique landmarks, and encourage healthy tourism that makes communities stronger.

Speaking at the OECD Conference in Paris, Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb co-founder and chief strategy officer, said: “I’m excited to see our community and partners continue Airbnb’s tradition of using travel and innovation to make communities stronger.

“We’ve been humbled and overwhelmed by the response to the Community Tourism Programme, and by the positive actions underway across the continent to retain the cultures, traditions and landmarks that make Europe’s diverse communities unique. To these innovators, I say that we are proud to support and invest in the valuable work you do.”

Highlights from the first round of funding allocations include:

Putting An Outer Borough on the Map: Airbnb helps support cultural and hospitality training in Waltham Forest, as part of the London Borough of Culture award.

Celebrating Centenary Year of Women Votes: A collaboration between Airbnb and charity Artichoke which will feature a series of processions and festivals across the UK to celebrate 100 years since women gained the right to vote.

Community Events in Matera, Italy: Matera has been selected as the European Capital of Culture 2019; as part of the city’s preparations for the year ahead Airbnb will join with regional event organisers to help fund Project Fondazione Matera  — a range of events and activities for locals and tourists to prepare for the year  ahead.

Bringing Start-ups to Berlin: Here Airbnb partner with Berlin Partners’ Start Alliance programme to help bring start-ups from across Europe to Berlin.

“Airbnb has a long history of supporting progressive local initiatives that boost communities and bring people together”

Created in 2017 as a way to support different social projects, across Europe, which uses tourism in fresh and innovative ways to help build, develop and strengthen community ties, empower community members and preserve regional culture and heritage.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme, which has received more than 300 requests for support, Chris Lehane, Airbnb global head of public affairs and public policy said:

“We have had a lot of success doing one-off projects in Europe and we want to put this in place and take it to the next level. Airbnb has a long history of supporting progressive local initiatives that boost communities and bring people together, and we’re excited to continue that tradition here in Europe.”

Learn more about the Community Tourism Programme here

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Airbnb Community Programme Nathan Blecharczyk
New Orleans temporarily bans short-term rentals https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/new-orleans-temporarily-bans-short-term-rentals/ Tue, 29 May 2018 07:59:43 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=470360 The post New Orleans temporarily bans short-term rentals appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

New Orleans has hit the pause button on adding more short-term rentals in the city, as the local council conducts further study on the effects of transient accommodations.

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New Orleans has hit the pause button on adding more short-term rentals in the city, as the local council conducts further study on the effects of transient accommodations.

The council ordered a freeze on the issuance of licenses for such rentals as well as on the option to renew existing licenses for nine months.

Council member Kristin Palmer, who pushed the agenda before the council, said: “This legislation is a first step towards revising and improving the short-term rental regulations to restore and preserve the residential fabric in historic areas of the city.”

She is backed by a fellow council member who voted for the temporary ban, Joe Giarrusso, who stated that a balance must be achieved and added that the effect of short-term rentals, if there is, on housing prices is particularly of concern.

Prior to April 2017, it was illegal to rent a house or apartment in New Orleans for fewer than 30 days. The council then passed a law in an attempt to regulate the growing number of illegal Airbnb’s in the city.

“I want my neighbours back!”

In April, New Orleans City Planning Commission convened affordable housing advocates, residents who rent their properties, and residents who oppose the proliferation of short rentals to hear the effects of short-term rental in neighbourhoods.

Those who oppose the unprecedented growth of Airbnb properties and the like in their local described loud and disruptive tourists renting the homes are taking over their neighbourhood.

“I live in the Marigny. It’s all short-term rentals now. I’d like to have my neighbours back,” said Margaret Walker, a resident of Faubourg Marigny, one of the neighbourhoods with most short rentals.

The opposition did not ask for the city to reinstate the ban for short-term rentals, but they cry for tighter regulations saying that the law is “too permissive”.

Airbnb’s appeal

Airbnb is unhappy with the decision and claims that the ruling is like being back in square one instead of moving forward.

“The vote flies in the face of the collaborative spirit”

“It is disappointing the city council chose to punish many law-abiding New Orleans residents who depend on home sharing to support their families,” Laura Spanjian, Airbnb public policy director for Louisiana.

“We have worked closely with the city for more than two years to develop and implement fair rules, which provide the city data and tools to enforce the law and millions in tax revenue. The vote flies in the face of the collaborative spirit with which we’ve approached our work with the city,” she added.

Airbnb argued that a vast majority of their hosts are renting their properties to add to their income and to make ends meet. 70% of New Orleans hosts say that hosting has helped them afford to stay in their homes.

The Airbnb short-term rental community has contributed over US$6 million in hotel taxes and fees for the new Neighbourhood Housing Improvement Fund for affordable housing.

The struggle

While Airbnb, Homeaway, and Couchsurfing have provided budget-conscious travellers with a wide array of options for their accommodation, cities and states are still struggling to regulate the home-sharing market.

Similar to the concerns of residents in New Orleans, homeowners are worried about the change of character in the community. Another problem is the potential to upend landlord-tenant relations. For example, a landlord could try to throw out a tenant in order to charge higher short-term rents to vacationers.

Homesharing businesses, like ride-hailing companies, have some blurred lines and would require an all-inclusive law to touch all areas of concern.

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The ‘Airbnb Effect’: The platform’s economic contribution during the royal wedding https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/the-airbnb-effect/ Mon, 28 May 2018 07:19:29 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=470223 The post The ‘Airbnb Effect’: The platform’s economic contribution during the royal wedding appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

As the world watched in awe, Airbnb hosts took advantage of the Royal Wedding frenzy. The Airbnb effect gave extra income to hosts in London, Windsor and its surrounding areas, bringing more than £11 million to its local economy.

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Royal Wedding - Airbnb Effect

As the world watched and got caught up in wedding fever, Airbnb hosts took advantage. The ‘Airbnb Effect’ brought more than £11 million extra income to the local economies of London, Windsor and surrounding areas.

Whereas the ‘Markle Effect’ is more of a fashion statement, with designers from around the world being influenced by what she wears and bringing in about $212 million in retail and apparel sales, the ‘Airbnb Effect’ shows that the ceremony not only helped hosts increase their income but also spread the benefits to local businesses and communities.

“Putting the UK in the spotlight once again”

James McClure, general manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, said: “The Royal Wedding has provided a welcome tourism boost, putting the UK in the spotlight once again. By creating an opportunity to host visitors from near and far, Airbnb is supporting economic investment into small, local communities and also helping locals to make a little extra money from sharing their homes.”

Banners and signs - Airbnb Effect
Fans displayed banners and signs along the route of the Royal Wedding in Windsor

The royal impact

During the royal event, hotels in the UK have capitalised on the Royal Wedding. America had the highest number of visitors in London, while local tourists from the UK took the top spot in Windsor. As for Airbnb, here’s exactly how the weekend impacted its hosts and guests:

  • Host income – During the Royal Wedding weekend, the typical Windsor host earned 318% more over the same period last year.
  • Guest spending – Guests in London, Windsor, and the surrounding areas spent over £11 million over the wedding weekend.
  • First-time hosts – Windsor homeowners took advantage of the royal event. Data showed 34% of hosts in Windsor were hosting on Airbnb for the first time.
  • Pricing – Prices in the area generally remained affordable in spite of the high demand. A host from London earned an average of £197. Whilst hosts in Windsor earned an average of £353 across the weekend.

Airbnb has certainly taken advantage on one of the most popular wedding ceremonies ever – it was watched by an estimated 47 million in the US and the UK alone – but, in a statement from Airbnb’s blog, it said that its goal is to motivate guests to come back again and again through experiences. Through British hospitality, the company will aim to ensure a sustainable and long-term economic impact for the region.

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Royal Wedding – Airbnb Effect Banners – Aribnb Effect
Personalized experiences create leaders in the hospitality industry https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/personalized-experience-creates-leaders-of-hospitality-industry/ Thu, 24 May 2018 01:18:09 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=469833 The post Personalized experiences create leaders in the hospitality industry appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Companies that can deliver a personalized experience, from search to booking to check-out, are the leaders of the lodging industry.

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Companies that can deliver a personalized experience, from search to booking to check-out, are the leaders of the lodging industry.

Technology has taken over the hospitality sector and it is for the better. While digital technology has sparked a competition between the hotels and home-sharing companies, travellers are given a wider range of options. Aside from hotel’s identical rooms, tourists are offered a wider range of accommodations that they can fine tune based on their desired size, location, and budget.

One of the factors of the recent upswing has been the immense growth of outbound travellers, especially from Asia. In a global perspective, arrivals grew by 7% in 2017. It is expected to balloon by 40% in 2030 to an industry worth around US$12 trillion.

The growth in demand of alternative accommodation is putting pressure to hotel owners. Companies that can deliver a personalized experience to tourists determine the champions of the industry.

Global head of Airbnb for Work, David Holyoke attributes the company’s success at truly understanding the goals and expectations of millennial-generation customers, “our growth is down to a clear understanding of a generation and what they value. Generation X, for example, pioneered self-service and self-booking in travel; with Millennials it’s about the experience and the blurring of work and downtime.”

This is why hotels and companies are pouring tons of money investing in technology to improve the current process in place.

booking holiday

This is echoed by Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel saying that the company is investing in technology by hiring the best talents in data science and programming to sift through the company’s “data ocean” to unify all of the company products that will be accessible in one platform that will provide “easy, efficient, and frictionless” end-to-end experience to travellers.

With technology, possibilities are endless. Integrated reservation management of adjoined restaurants and easier payment system are only a few examples.

We need to think like Elon Musk who applies truly radical thinking and approaches to help what seem like intractable challenges.

“As an industry, we have to be bolder and brave in embracing the spirit of this new age – we need to think like Elon Musk who applies truly radical thinking and approaches to help what seem like intractable challenges,” Alex Mifsud, chief executive of travel payments technology provider Ixaris, said.

With competition for accommodation increasing, the customer journey, from deciding which channel to book from, through to payment and checkout, are part of natural path businesses should take.

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In-Online-Travel-Repeat-Bookers-Are-Elusive-Except-for-Airbnb booking holiday web Customers want the same journey no matter how they book
Airbnb’s pursuit to restore Puerto Rico’s tourism business after Hurricane Maria https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnbs-experience-puerto-rico/ Tue, 15 May 2018 13:22:19 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=468768 The post Airbnb’s pursuit to restore Puerto Rico’s tourism business after Hurricane Maria appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb’s Brian Chesky and Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rosselló have announced a new partnership to drive tourism and support the island as it builds back after Hurricane Maria.

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Condado Beach, Puerto Rico

Airbnb’s Brian Chesky and Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló announced a new partnership to drive tourism and support the island as it builds back after Hurricane Maria.

On 20 September 2017, a devastating Hurricane Maria struck the island of Puerto Rico (a United States territory), causing the longest blackout in US history. Some 3.3 million citizens were affected by the storm, bringing floods, hunger and colossal damage to the island. It is the tenth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record and regarded as the worst natural disaster on record in Dominica and Puerto Rico.

To help the island’s people get back on their feet, Airbnb has launched its Experiences feature on the island. The initiative will give guests an authentic Puerto Rico experience through unique, handcrafted activities hosted by locals. The home-sharing giant will also donate its fees for the next three months to local volunteer and recovery organizations.

“We look forward to working with these important partners to unlock the magic of the island” – Brian Chesky

Airbnb’s co-founder, CEO and head of community, Brain Chesky, is now keen on helping the island bounce back. He said: “Puerto Rico has long been a top destination for travellers looking to experience its rich culture, beautiful scenery, and incredible hospitality.

“Its determination in the face of such daunting challenges has amazed and inspired us, and we look forward to working with these important partners to unlock the magic of the Island for more travellers from around the world and empower Puerto Rico’s businesses and people to build an even stronger travel industry than before the hurricane.”

A couple looks at their home, destroyed by Hurricane Maria

The aftermath of Hurricane Maria has certainly caused a major setback in Airbnb’s business in Puerto Rico. But since October last year, the company has rebounded with nearly 3,000 hosts and 112,000 guests, earning more than US$17 million.

The launch of roughly 50 Experiences across the island will contribute even more to the local economy. This will include experiences from sailing at sunset in San Juan Bay, to hiking in the mountains of Puerto Rico, to touring San Juan’s nightlife with a local musician.

“The future is bright for the tourism sector of Puerto Rico.” – Ricardo Rosselló

Puerto Rico’s governor Ricardo Rosselló has a positive outlook as well, he said: “The future is bright for the tourism sector of Puerto Rico. Leveraging the power of the Airbnb platform, we have the opportunity to increase the visibility of the Island as a travel destination, making it more sustainable, more diverse, and allowing more residents to benefit from the economic opportunities that tourism provides.”

A street musician serenades visitors in Old San Juan

Through its Voluntary Collection Agreement in August 2017 with the government of Puerto Rico, Airbnb has already remitted $1.6 million in taxes to the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) to help promote tourism to the Island.

This initiative is part of Airbnb’s move to promote its Office of Healthy Tourism which was launched last month. It aims to drive local, authentic and sustainable tourism to regions around the world.

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Condado Beach Condado Beach skyline in Puerto Rico Couple A street performer serenades visitors for tips in Old San Juan
Airbnb works with Nuki to make physical keys a thing of the past https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-nuki-partnership/ Mon, 23 Apr 2018 23:21:11 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=466289 The post Airbnb works with Nuki to make physical keys a thing of the past appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Nuki, a smart lock innovator, has announced it is working with Airbnb to make locking and unlocking doors easier – and much cooler.

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Nuki, a smart lock innovator, has announced it is working with to make locking and unlocking doors easier – and much cooler.

Nuki is one of Europe’s leading providers of ‘retrofit smart access solutions’ – simply put, the company makes devices that turns your smartphone into a door key. The new technology is being introduced to Airbnb, a company which also happens to be a revolutionary when it comes to accommodation solutions.

The Nuki Smart Lock can be easily put on top of existing locks to turn it into an app-based, keyless entry system. After a quick installation of a Nuki Smart Lock, hosts simply need to log into the online Nuki web platform, link the Nuki Smart Lock to their Airbnb account, and voila, the guest is granted access to the rented home.

“Simplifying life with our products is the perfect match for Airbnb”

“Airbnb is constantly investing in its community to improve the quality and experience for hosts and guests. At Nuki, we believe that our dedication to simplifying life with our products is the perfect match for Airbnb,” explained Martin Pansy, founder and CEO of Nuki Home Solutions.

How it works

Once a booking is confirmed with a host using a Nuki Smart Lock, they’ll automatically receive a message mentioning the listing has a smart lock enabled. A link will be shared, so they can download the Nuki app and use it as a way to lock and unlock the door. The Nuki app, which is available for free on Android and iOS, will then give access, although limited to the duration of the stay.

According to Nuki, hosts are not required to purchase the Nuki Smart Lock, but they can purchase it for a premium price (-50 Euros compared to standard prices) via the Host Assist page.

Nuki can provide 24/7 check-ins and checkouts so that would be a big plus. It will offer the option of getting rid of physical key handover ‘ceremonies’ – perfect for those who want to remain incognito, might be too busy, too shy, or just straight up don’t want to meet in person. In addition, individual access permissions can be managed on the app, and a detailed activity log will provide an added sense of security for both guests and hosts.

 

“The new partnership makes hosting and travelling smarter and more fun than before”

Pansy added: “By facilitating 24/7 check-ins, remote access rights management and keyless access for guests and caretakers, the new partnership makes hosting and travelling smarter and more fun than before. We know that a lot of Nuki users already successfully host with the support of our product portfolio. Convenience and security are of utmost importance for us. Therefore, we believe to be the perfect fit for Airbnb hosts”.

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Airbnb works with Nuki to make physical keys a thing of the past Nuki, a smart lock innovator, proudly announced it is working with Airbnb to make locking and unlocking doors a bit easier – and way cooler. Airbnb,Martin Pansy,Nuki Home Solutions,nuki Nuki Smart Lock – Featured Image Lock and Unlock Nuki Smart Lock
Airbnb takes ‘healthy tourism’ to another level with new office and advisory board https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-healthy-tourism/ Fri, 20 Apr 2018 07:23:49 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=466046 The post Airbnb takes ‘healthy tourism’ to another level with new office and advisory board appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb launches the Office of Healthy Tourism - an initiative to drive local, authentic, and sustainable tourism in countries and cities around the globe.

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Airbnb has launched the Office of Healthy Tourism – an initiative to drive local, authentic, and sustainable tourism in countries and cities around the globe.

Continuing its mission to change the landscape of travel, Airbnb has launched the Office of Healthy Tourism and a new Tourism Advisory Board which comprises of global travel industry leaders. Through partnerships, programmes, and events, Airbnb will empower small businesses and local residents, while supporting environment-friendly travel habits.

Regarding equality in travel and tourism, Chris Lehane, head of global policy said: “With travel and tourism growing faster than most of the rest of economy, it is critical that as many people as possible are benefiting – and right now not all tourism is created equal. To democratize the benefits of travel, Airbnb offers a healthy alternative to the mass travel that has plagued cities for decades.”

Yoshino Cedar House, nestled in a small town in the mountains of Nara, Japan

Already starting Airbnb’s healthy tourism initiatives last year, co-founder and chief product officer, Joe Gebbia, opened the Yoshino Cedar House – a landmark listing, located in a small town that was slowly disappearing due to an ageing population, low birth rate, and young people leaving the area. Since the house was opened, it had hosted hundreds of guests from 32 countries, and 70 jobs have been created for its residents.

The Office of Healthy Tourism will focus on ‘rural generation’ just like this story. From small villages in Italy to the countryside in China, Airbnb plans on bringing economic benefits and further push its efforts to a higher level.

“Airbnb is providing the type of travel that is best for destinations, residents, and travellers alike”

Lehane added: “Airbnb supports tourism that is local, authentic, diverse, inclusive and sustainable. Through the meaningful income earned by the mosaic that is our global community of hosts; our ability to promote tourism to places that need it the most; and the inherent sustainable benefits of hosting, Airbnb is providing the type of travel that is best for destinations, residents, and travellers alike.”

Civita di Bagnoregio, a hilltop village in central Italy, photo by Piotr Niepsuj

Airbnb also helps communities by scaling accommodations for big events. One such example is the recent Winter Games in South Korea, where 15,000 guests used Airbnb to attend the event – the equivalent of adding around 7,500 hotel rooms. Hosts in the region earned over US$2.3 million, keeping 97% of what they charged, ensuring the stay of money in the country with the local residents in the area.

In another project to promote healthy tourism, Airbnb will partner with the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business to host the Africa Travel Summit this coming September.

Airbnb’s Tourism Advisory Board

As the tourism industry grows, promoting a healthy and sustainable tourism becomes increasingly important. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the travel industry supports 313 million jobs and generates 10% of the world’s GDP. Airbnb’s Tourism Advisory Board includes:

  • David Scowsill, chief executive of EON Reality Inc. and former president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council
  • Taleb Rifai, the former secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization
  • Rosette Rugamba, managing director of Songa Africa and Amakoro Lodge and former director general of Rwanda Tourism
  • Professor Hon Bob Carr, the former foreign affairs minister for Australia and former premier of New South Wales

“We are incredibly proud to have some of the foremost leaders in the travel industry”

Chris Lehane added: “We are incredibly proud to have some of the foremost leaders in the travel industry joining our Tourism Advisory Board. These are all leaders of impeccable credentials who have worked to promote healthy tourism. With members from four different continents, we look forward to getting their perspectives on solutions to over tourism and to tap their expertise to promote and drive healthy tourism around the world.”

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Airbnb Healthy Tourism House Vision 2 exhibition Civita, photo by Piotr Niepsuj
Airbnb expects 20,000 people to book Airbnb Concerts each month https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-concerts/ Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:40:57 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=465279 The post Airbnb expects 20,000 people to book Airbnb Concerts each month appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

All around the globe, Airbnb is adding hundreds of concerts and it’s already on track to be in 50 cities and have 20,000 people booking Airbnb Concerts each month before the year ends.

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All around the globe, Airbnb is adding hundreds of concerts and it’s already on track to be in 50 cities and have 20,000 people booking Airbnb Concerts each month before the year ends.

Since launching Trips in 2016, nightlife is fast-growing as an Experience category. With its success, Airbnb has also added new passion categories including Airbnb Concerts.

Airbnb Concerts are intimate live shows where guests can get up close and personal with their favourite musicians in various genres. It’s held in surprise venues which travellers and locals alike usually don’t know about. For more a decade, the company believed in its vision to be an end-to-end travel company (even announcing a plan to launch an airline). Now, with the expansion of Airbnb Concerts, it’s adding more features that music fans will surely enjoy.

Driven by 5000 of its Experiences product across 60 destinations, Airbnb bookings have grown 2,500% in the past year. And with this high demand, the home-sharing company has decided to expand Experiences to 1000 destinations by the end of 2018. Some of the most-booked Experience hosts have earned more than US$200,000 through their offerings.

The growth of Experiences is 25 times faster than Homes did in its first year

Experience passion categories include Airbnb Concerts, Social Dining, Adventures, and Social Impact in which it works with more than a thousand non-profit groups.

As part of Airbnb Concerts series, multi-Grammy-award-winning artist John Legend has partnered with Airbnb. The soul singer is releasing a new single called “A Good Night”, and worked together with Airbnb to curate a collection of Airbnb nightlife experiences inspired by the song.

To date, performances have ranged from up and coming artists to mainstream groups like Arizona and Vance Joy. And now, John Legend, who called Airbnb his home during his last tour, will be joining the list.

John Legend’s music event will take place in Los Angeles on 21 June.

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Airbnb expects 20,000 people to book Airbnb Concerts each month All around the globe, Airbnb is adding hundreds of concerts and it’s already on track to be in 50 cities and have 20,000 people booking Airbnb Concerts each month before the year ends. Airbnb,Airbnb Concerts,John Legend,airbnb concerts Airbnb Concerts JL-Instagram-Photo-3
2018 shaping up as the critical year in China’s home-sharing sector https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/critical-year-chinas-home-sharing-sector/ Mon, 16 Apr 2018 00:18:15 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=465313 The post 2018 shaping up as the critical year in China’s home-sharing sector appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The sharing economy is again under spotlight in Asia. During the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), an Asian equivalent of the World Economic Forum, top entrepreneurs in the Chinese sharing sector gathered in a panel to discuss the industry’s future.   Chen Chi, co-founder and CEO of Xiaozhu.com, the country’s leading and fastest growing […]

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The sharing economy is again under spotlight in Asia. During the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), an Asian equivalent of the World Economic Forum, top entrepreneurs in the Chinese sharing sector gathered in a panel to discuss the industry’s future.  

Chen Chi, co-founder and CEO of Xiaozhu.com, the country’s leading and fastest growing house-sharing platform, was invited to speak in the session named “The Sharing Economy: Getting Down to Business”.

“An example of how foreign companies are learning from Chinese companies”

According to report by China’s State Information Center, the Chinese house-sharing market grew by 70.6% in 2017, an  accelerated growth on last year. “After more than five years of development, house sharing has taken deep root in China, while it is also penetrating rapidly to lower tier cities and the countryside”, Chen Chi commented.

On Xiaozhu’s platform, as Chen pointed out, tier two cities like Tianjin, Chongqing and Changsha were among the fastest expanding markets. When speaking about the profitability of sharing economy platforms in China, Chen revealed that Xiaozhu has developed a healthy and profitable business model.

When asked about Airbnb’s recent active movements in China, Chen said this is an example of how foreign companies are learning from Chinese companies, in terms of localization and business innovation. Xiaozhu’s competitiveness, as Chen Xiaozhu’s competitiveness, as Chen emphasized, lies in strong offline service capability, which imposes high requirements for the teams’ philosophy and execution.

Chen Chi, co-founder and CEO of Xiaozhu.com

Founded in 2012, Xiaozhu.com is among China’s largest house-sharing platforms. In November 2017, the company announced it had raised $120 million in its latest financing round, led by the Jack Ma-backed Yunfeng Capital

Airbnb

China is important to Airbnb and they have made a big push to grow their business in the market including adopting a Chinese name Aibiying that translates to ‘welcome each other with love’  and has attracted attention and criticism due to its sexual innuendos.

Quartz reported Chinese users hated the new name so much that user were already brainstorming on a new name for them. Airbnb has also hired a Chinese leader, Ge Hong, a top-flight talent boasting a Yale education and stints at Google and Facebook. It also appointed Nathan Blecharczyk (Airbnb co-founder) as the chairman of Airbnb China.

In a recent GGV996 podcast Nathan updated that Airbnb is happy with the name change and it has been positively received by the market.  He also updated that Airbnb now has 150 people in the market.  About 60 of those are working on the product; 40 in host community operations and the remainder spread across marketing, public policy, and standard corporate functions.

Tujia

The market has another strong competitor in local player Tujia.  Tujia initially focused on more of a vacation rental market but its model has expanded to now be a strong competitor in the home-sharing space.

It has been aggressive not only in the domestic market but expanding into regional large inbound markets for Chinese millennials.  In 2017 it announced a partnership with Rakuten in the Japan market. The company’s investor CV includes Ctrip, Homeaway, and GGV (also a Airbnb investor).

What to expect

Xiaozhu will remain laser focused on the domestic product and building out a uniquely chinese user experience. Airbnb will also work hard on dialing in a China specific product but will do so within the context of their larger global offering and tech platforms. They will leverage their global scale and coverage for advantage.  Tuija will work to to cover the domestic market while continuing to selectively expand and built out their footprint in high volume China outbound markets regionally.

2018 is shaping up as the critical year in determining the future leaders in China’s home-sharing sector.  Pricing will come under pressure, and levels of service will increase for both hosts and travelers.

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2018 shaping up as the critical year in China's home-sharing sector The sharing economy is again under spotlight in Asia. During the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), an Asian equivalent of the World Economic Forum, top entrepreneurs in the Chinese sharing sector gathered in a panel to discuss the industry's future.   Chen Chi, co-founder and CEO of Xiaozhu.com, the c Tujia,China,Airbnb,Xiaozhu
Airbnb empowers disabled guests with new accessibility features https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-accessibility-filters/ Mon, 19 Mar 2018 14:18:07 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=458414 The post Airbnb empowers disabled guests with new accessibility features appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

To help guests with disabilities, Airbnb has launched 21 new accessibility features and filters to find homes which better fit their needs.

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To help guests with disabilities, Airbnb has launched 21 new accessibility features and filters to find homes which better fit their needs.

Good news for disabled guests (and their families) worldwide – the new filters allow handicapped guests to search for listings with specific features like a step-free entry to rooms, entryways that are wide enough for wheelchairs, and more!

It’s definitely a major improvement from its previous feature, which only offers an option for a ‘wheelchair accessible’ listing – not very personalised for unique individual needs.

The announcement came as Srin Madipalli, accessibility product and program manager at Airbnb, continues his dedicated work with hosts and guests. He’s a geneticist turned corporate lawyer, turned coder and product developer at Airbnb.

“As a person with disabilities and a passionate traveller, I am hugely excited by the changes we’re making at Airbnb. Our mission is to enable anyone to belong anywhere, regardless of disability,” said Madipalli.

But this announcement is only the beginning.

The new filters are part of a series of steps Airbnb is taking to ensure its community is literally accessible to everyone.

“Our mission is to enable anyone to belong anywhere, regardless of disability.”

For example, Airbnb started a collaboration with the California Council of the Blind, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, and National Council on Independent Living. The purpose of these collaborations is to develop accessibility filters and to further improve and clarify accessibility policies.

Accommodating changes

Srin Madipalli

Also, late last year, Airbnb acquired Accomable, a London-based accessible travel start-up founded by Madipalli and his friend Martyn Sibley, who both have Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

“The introduction of the new accessibility features and filters to all hosts and guests is just the first stage in our journey to improve accessibility at Airbnb,” added Madipalli.

Moving forward, Airbnb promises to work closely with both hosts and guests to ensure the new filters provide useful and accurate information. The home-sharing company is aiming to improve and expand the filters further to support as many travellers as possible.

The screenshot below shows Airbnb’s new Accessibility features and filters:

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Airbnb New Filters
Is Airbnb really planning to launch an airline? https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-airline-plan/ Wed, 28 Feb 2018 10:42:28 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=445044 The post Is Airbnb really planning to launch an airline? appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb made waves recently with the announcement of its major platform updates. And now, reports say, they’re coming up with an even bigger plan.

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The post Is Airbnb really planning to launch an airline? appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb made waves recently with the announcement of its major platform updates. And now, reports say, they’re coming up with an even bigger plan. 

Is Airbnb really planning to launch an airline? In an interview with Sunday Times, the tech giant’s co-founder Brian Chesky revealed that the company is considering launching an airline.

So yes, it is true – Airbnb is seeking to transform itself from a home-sharing app to a ‘one-stop-shop for travel’.

Brain Chesky said: “We’ve seriously considered a lot of things around aviation and we’ve spent a lot of time exploring different concepts. We definitely want to make sure, though, that we can get into the end-to-end trip business.”

When asked what the airline would be called, he chuckled and said: “Bnb Air!”

The home-sharing company has been tinkering with the idea of entering the aviation industry since last year. Back in April, Chesky asked his followers on what their perfect flying experience would look like:

Chesky's Tweet in April 2017

His responses to his followers’ tweets showed that Chesky seemed to be focused on bringing a seamless experience. He wants to make air travel faster, cheaper and more convenient.

Although, I really do think we’re far from commercial supersonic travel.

Chesky's Tweet Response

These plans will change Airbnb’s brand as a ‘cheap alternative to hotels’ and it looks like Chesky’s grand ambitions aren’t slowing down anytime soon. He noted that Amazon’s business model is comparable to his business plans.

Chesky added: “Of all the big tech companies, the way Amazon has approached building their business to a one-stop shop for shopping is probably most similar to what we’re trying to do. We want to be a one-stop shop for travel.”

So, are we going to see another revolution in travel?

Let’s wait and see if his ideas will take off.

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Chesky Tweet Tweet Responses
Airbnb reveals major platform updates with roadmap to 2028 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-new-roadmap/ Fri, 23 Feb 2018 05:56:18 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=444781 The post Airbnb reveals major platform updates with roadmap to 2028 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Brian Chesky Keynote - Featured Photo

Airbnb unveils a new roadmap for its core home business, designed to bring transformative benefits to every type of traveller.

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Brian Chesky Keynote - Featured Photo

Airbnb announced its revamped roadmap with new property types, tiers, collections and recognition program. This puts Airbnb on a path to having more than one billion annual guests by 2028, said Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO on 23 February.

It’s hard to believe that about a decade ago, Airbnb Chesky and co-founder Joe Gebbia were inflating airbeds in their San Francisco apartment. Little did they know, this will be the start of a global phenomenon in travel.

Today, Airbnb is one of the world’s largest accommodation platforms with 4.5 million places to stay in 81,000 cities. And over the past decade, Airbnb hosts earned more than USD $41bn, and guests have checked into an Airbnb more than 300 million times.

Looking into the future, Airbnb unveils a new roadmap for its core Homes business. It’s designed to bring the transformative benefits of local, personal and authentic travel to every type of traveller.

The roadmap includes:

  • Four new property types – Vacation Home, Unique, B&B and Boutiques (in addition to existing Entire Home, Private Room and Shared Space)
  • New tiers – Airbnb Plus and Beyond by Airbnb
  • Airbnb Collections – homes perfectly suited to every occasion
  • Investing back in its community with a revamped Superhost program and a new guest membership program launching later this year

Airbnb co-founder, CEO and head of community, Brian Chesky said: “10 years ago we never dreamed of what Airbnb could become. In fact, people thought the idea that strangers would stay in each other’s homes was crazy. Today, millions of people every night do just that. But we want to go further by supporting and expanding our community so that in 10 years’ time, more than one billion people per year will experience the benefits of magical travel on Airbnb.”

4 new property types

Over the years, the types of properties on the platform have become increasingly diverse from treehouses to boutique hotels. But it’s still only possible to navigate through 3 property types – Shared Space, Private Room and Entire Home. This makes it hard for hosts to stand out and guests can’t always find what they’re looking for.

To address this, Airbnb will add 4 new property types to its platform – Vacation Home, Unique Space, B&B and Boutique. This will give greater options to guests and provide greater transparency over the types of accommodation available. Furthermore, this will also help hosts better showcase what’s unique about them.

All 7 property types will launch to guests this summer.

Airbnb Collections

Airbnb was initially designed mainly for solo travel. But over the years, millions of people have found the platform suited to a range of different types of travel. To meet the needs of such a diverse range of travellers, Airbnb is introducing Collections.

Launching today are Airbnb for Family and Airbnb for Work with Collections for Social stays, Weddings, Honeymoons, Group getaways and Dinner parties coming later this year.

The new categories and collections will make it easier to discover the perfect home for travellers.

Airbnb Plus

Airbnb aims to broaden the appeal of Airbnb to even more guests and recognize hosts who go above and beyond to provide outstanding hospitality. For this reason, Airbnb is launching a new tier of homes that have been personally verified for quality and comfort.

Starting with 2000 homes in 13 cities available to book right now, Airbnb Plus is intended for guests looking for beautiful homes, exceptional hosts and added peace of mind. Airbnb Plus homes have been inspected and verified in person against a 100+ point checklist covering cleanliness, comfort and design.

Airbnb Plus hosts benefit from top placement, in-home services such as design consultation and expert photography, and premium support.

Beyond by Airbnb

Following last year’s acquisition of Luxury Retreats, Airbnb today previews a new standard in travel – Beyond by Airbnb.

Launching this spring, Beyond by Airbnb will offer custom designed trips of a lifetime. This will include the world’s finest homes, custom experiences and world-class hospitality.

Superhost recognition program

Hosts and guests are the heart of Airbnb. And through its Superhost program, which includes 400,000 hosts globally, Airbnb recognizes its most loved hosts.

Today, it announces an expansion of the program to offer 14 new and updated benefits. These include better exposure, custom URLs and exclusive benefits on smart home products.

See the full range of benefits at airbnb.com/superhost.

Later this year, Airbnb will also recognize its best guests with a new guest membership program offering benefits across the entire trip. Superguest will launch initially to 10,000 guests as a trial this summer before being rolled out to Airbnb’s wider guest community before the end of the year.

Today’s announcement is driven by Airbnb’s commitment to being a 21st-century company that operates in the interests of all its stakeholders, including hosts, guests and communities.

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Airbnb reveals major platform updates with new roadmap to 2028 Airbnb unveils a new roadmap for its core home business, designed to bring transformative benefits to every type of traveller. Collections,roadmap,Brian Chesky,property types,announcement,Beyond,news,Superhost,Airbnb,Plus,roadmap Brian Chesky Keynote Brian Chesky, co-founder, CEO and head of community, Airbnb
Airbnb fires back at Queenstown Lakes over controversial regulations https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-fires-back-queenstown-mayor-controversial-regulations/ https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-fires-back-queenstown-mayor-controversial-regulations/#comments Wed, 15 Nov 2017 22:59:14 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=433868 The post Airbnb fires back at Queenstown Lakes over controversial regulations appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Queenstown Lakes District Council unanimously voted to proceed with public notification of revised rules for Residential Visitor Accommodation.

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Queenstown Lakes District Council unanimously voted to proceed with public notification of revised rules for Residential Visitor Accommodation.

Mayor Jim Boult (pictured) said the change in approach is not intended to remove existing visitor accommodation from the district, but aimed at increasing the available housing stock for longer-term rentals.

“We believe the proposals reflect the desires of a significant portion of our community who don’t want to see their neighbourhood becoming a commercial accommodation operation.  We are not against AirBNB or other visitor accommodation booking sites and acknowledge they play an important role in providing short term beds for people visiting the district.  But we need to ensure our own people are housed and that short term accommodation is available in the most appropriate locations,” Mayor Boult said.

 

The proposed changes would benefit those who wish to supplement their income by hosting guests in their home, known as a ‘homestay’.

“What we’re proposing for homestays means that if you’ve got a spare room or self-contained flat and you’d like to rent it out, you can continue to do so as often as you like, as long as you’re there and there are fewer than five guests,” Mayor Boult said.

“We are regularly hearing that people feel uncomfortable with their suburbs housing more and more short term guests.  They are effectively living next to a hotel and are concerned that their  residential areas are turning into de-facto commercial zones.”

 

New rules are also proposed for those wishing to rent their entire property for visitor accommodation. The proposed rules allow up to 28 days short-term rental a year with no more than three separate lets.

But absentee owners, anyone who purchases a property with the primary intention of renting it as visitor accommodation, or those who wish to rent a property out more often than three times a year and 28 days, will need a resource consent.  Under this scenario, properties within the high density zone or visitor accommodation sub zone, will be able to apply for a restricted discretionary resource consent and continue operation.  However, if the property is in the low, medium, Arrowtown residential historic or large lot residential zones, a consent is unlikely to be granted.

Arrowtown Parade

In a statement to the New Zealand Herald, Brent Thomas, head of public policy for Airbnb in Australia and New Zealand said the new regulations will limit an important source of extra income for property owners and accused the council of employing a short-sighted policy which will have profound consequences on the local economy.

“Airbnb strongly believes everyone should have their right to respectfully share their own home if they wish. Nanny-state policies, like caps or bans, would rob people of their property rights, hurt the tourism economy and cost local jobs. The council needs to ask itself—does it really want to win the prize for being the least innovative council.”

The proposed rules will be formally notified on 23 November.

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Airbnb to invest millions into responsible tourism across APAC https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-invest-millions-responsible-tourism-across-apac/ https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-invest-millions-responsible-tourism-across-apac/#comments Thu, 09 Nov 2017 22:59:23 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=433617 The post Airbnb to invest millions into responsible tourism across APAC appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Yesterday at the APEC CEO Summit in Da Nang, Airbnb announced it will invest 68 million baht through 2020 to promote and support innovative and responsible tourism projects throughout Asia-Pacific.

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Yesterday at the APEC CEO Summit in Da Nang, Airbnb announced it will invest 68 million baht through 2020 to promote and support innovative and responsible tourism projects throughout Asia-Pacific.

This commitment is part of Airbnb’s vision to strengthen communities through healthy tourism and empower hospitality entrepreneurs across the region.

The fund will be available to organizations—including destination marketing organizations, NGOs, non-profit agencies and community social groups—in need of financial support for innovative tourism projects.

The announcement was made today by Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb co-Founder, CSO and chairman of China at the APEC CEO Summit in Da Nang, during a panel discussion on the ‘New Job Creators’.

“Airbnb is dedicated to empowering people and communities through healthy tourism, and we have a long tradition of supporting local projects in Asia-Pacific,” said Nathan. “We’re excited to continue these efforts and support APEC’s goal of driving sustainable and inclusive tourism to Asia-Pacific economies.”

Empowering hospitality entrepreneurs

New data shared today also highlights how Airbnb is empowering hospitality entrepreneurs across APEC member economies through healthy travel—authentic, affordable experiences that distribute the economic benefits to more people and more places, and that occur through use of people’s existing resources.

New data shows that the Airbnb community boosted APEC economies by 952 billion baht and supported 370,000 jobs across 116 APEC cities in 2016. In the past 12 months, 55 million guest arrivals to APEC member economies were made on Airbnb, while Airbnb hosts in APEC member economies earned about 272 million baht during the same time period.

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Why is age the secret to Airbnb success? https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/age-hold-secret-airbnb-success/ https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/age-hold-secret-airbnb-success/#comments Mon, 30 Oct 2017 22:59:32 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=433224 The post Why is age the secret to Airbnb success? appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb celebrates the UN’s International Day of Older Persons. This year, the theme for  was “Stepping into the Future”, something Airbnb claims it is seeing senior people do all over APAC.

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Airbnb celebrates the UN’s International Day of Older Persons. This year, the theme for  was “Stepping into the Future”, something Airbnb claims it is seeing senior people do all over APAC.

It is not just Millennials who want to see the world through the eyes of a local; the number of 60-90 year olds joining the Airbnb community is growing every year, with older guests saying they love the opportunity to travel in a different way than they have ever done before.

In the last year alone, over 1.5 million travellers aged 60 and above travelled to APAC with Airbnb, highlighting how much the older generation are embracing technology and the sharing economy to enjoy more unique and authentic experiences.

Seniors are also showing a real passion for hosting on Airbnb, opening up their homes and welcoming travellers from around the globe. APAC is no exception, with seniors making up nearly 10 percent of the region’s host community.  By hosting international travellers, it is their way of seeing the world without leaving their doorstep.

Why are seniors so popular?

In Thailand, 60-90 is the fastest-growing age bracket among Airbnb hosts, having grown by  over 40 percent year on year. They are also the second highest earners – behind 50 to 59 year olds –bringing in an average of USD 2667 in annual supplementary income. This is considerably higher than the annual income earned by 18-24 and 25-29 year old hosts, who earn an annual average of USD 1,370 to 1,659 from hosting — a big help when paying monthly bills.

Even more notable than the obvious economic benefits, is the social element of hosting on Airbnb. Many senior hosts comment on how hosting has allowed them to stay alert, sociable and happy, and how meeting so many different people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds has given them a new perspective, allowing them to experience the world from their own home.

And senior hosts are consistently the best rated Airbnb hosts in Southeast Asia and receive better reviews than any other host demographic.  They also receive a higher percentage of five star reviews than any other age group, with a massive 81 percent of trips hosted by seniors resulting in a five-star review.

Robin Kwok, Airbnb country manager for SEA, Hong Kong and Taiwan said “The most important thing to us at Airbnb is our community, and we’re incredibly proud that senior hosts make up such a significant – and growing – proportion of that community in this region.  We know that people all over the world want a new kind of travel, and to experience new cities through the eyes of the locals who live there. Senior hosts are perfectly placed to provide these truly authentic experiences. They have seen their neighbourhoods evolve around them, and can give unique insights into the culture, history and personality of a place.”

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Airbnb joins forces with PATA on the sharing economy https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-joins-forces-with-pata/ https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-joins-forces-with-pata/#comments Wed, 11 Oct 2017 02:45:03 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=432391 The post Airbnb joins forces with PATA on the sharing economy appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb is the latest hospitality sector organisation to join the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

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Airbnb is the latest hospitality sector organisation to join the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

Of the partnership PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Airbnb to the PATA family, with more than four million Airbnb listings worldwide it impossible to ignore the impact that the sharing economy is having upon the travel and tourism industry.

It is important that we are able to add this voice to our discussions in the development of a responsible travel and tourism industry, especially when we examine the role of the sharing economy in the dispersal of tourists to lesser known and emerging destinations.”

“Over the next few months, PATA and Airbnb will be working together to bring greater insights on topics related to the sharing economy – including its economic impact and the issue of over tourism,” added Dr. Hardy.

“Home sharing has become an important economic engine for communities around the world,” said Thao Nguyen, APAC head of strategic partnerships at Airbnb. “We’re excited to join the PATA family and play our part in promoting healthy and sustainable tourism that directly benefits local communities.”

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New technology “allows Airbnb owners to compete with hotels” https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/new-technology-allows-airbnb-owners-compete-hotels/ Tue, 15 Aug 2017 06:54:54 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=375446 The post New technology “allows Airbnb owners to compete with hotels” appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

A new market intelligence tool has been launched that developers claim will allow Airbnb owners to “compete on the same level as hotels”. AirDNA, which specialises in vacation rental data, has released Market Minder, which displays key hospitality metrics for every Airbnb rental worldwide. An interactive dashboard with maps, charts and filters allows vacation rental […]

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A new market intelligence tool has been launched that developers claim will allow Airbnb owners to “compete on the same level as hotels”.

AirDNA, which specialises in vacation rental data, has released Market Minder, which displays key hospitality metrics for every Airbnb rental worldwide.

An interactive dashboard with maps, charts and filters allows vacation rental owners and managers to better identify peaks travel demand periods and understand how their properties stack up against similarly sized and priced competitors.

And for hosts seeking to expand their portfolio of properties, Market Minder uses neighbourhood-level analytics to offer insights on which parts of town provide the most profitable short-term lodging opportunities.

The subscription-based service is available for more than 25,000 cities and neighbourhoods around the world and, according to the company, will “help professionalise the Airbnb host community”.

“Airbnb hosts have been operating in an informational vacuum,” said Scott Shatford, CEO of AirDNA. “We have created a tool that finally puts the business intelligence directly into the hands of these small business owners, allowing them to make more informed, data-driven decisions in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

The demand for hotel alternatives like Airbnb shows no signs of slowing. AirDNA projects that global revenue for all properties listed on Airbnb will exceed US$40 billion in 2017 alone. There are a total of 1.7 million Airbnb hosts currently operating worldwide, but their business analysis tools still lag significantly behind those available to the hotel sector.

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Japan creates new rules for home-sharing https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/japan-creates-new-rules-home-sharing/ Fri, 30 Jun 2017 08:00:52 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=252673 The post Japan creates new rules for home-sharing appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The Japanese government has passed a series of new laws governing home-sharing and short-term rentals. The regulations, which could have a major impact on companies like Airbnb, include a maximum limit of 180 rental nights per year for all homeowners in the country. Accommodation providers are also required to register with their local authority, and […]

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Japan is aiming to improve standards in its home-sharing sector
Japan is aiming to improve standards in its home-sharing sector

The Japanese government has passed a series of new laws governing home-sharing and short-term rentals.

The regulations, which could have a major impact on companies like Airbnb, include a maximum limit of 180 rental nights per year for all homeowners in the country.

Accommodation providers are also required to register with their local authority, and absent landlords now need to outsource their property management to specialist companies.

The laws are intended to bring consistency and improved standards to the previously unregulated sector, whilst allowing Japan to cope with a rising number of international visitors.

Japan is one of Airbnb’s biggest markets in the Asia Pacific region, with more than 50,000 listings. Its main rival, Expedia-backed HomeAway, has fewer than 10,000 listings. But these two companies could soon face stiff competition; Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten recently announced plans to launch a home-sharing unit.

The regulations on home-sharing have been accompanied by looser hotel regulations, as the Japanese government tries to provide new accommodation options for a surging number of international visitors. Overseas arrivals to Japan area expected to reach 40 million by 2020, the year Tokyo hosts the Olympic Games.

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shutterstock_76368916 Japan is aiming to improve standards in its home-sharing sector
Flight Centre to offer Airbnb for corporate travellers https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/flight-centre-offer-airbnb-corporate-travellers/ Wed, 28 Jun 2017 04:11:14 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=252529 The post Flight Centre to offer Airbnb for corporate travellers appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) corporate division in Australia and New Zealand has formed a ground-breaking partnership with Airbnb to provide accommodation for its corporate customers. In a first for Australasia, FCTG’s corporate brands, including FCM Travel Solutions, Corporate Traveller, Campus Travel and Stage & Screen, will now be able offer their clients’ business travellers […]

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Corporate travel is becoming an increasingly important sector for Airbnb
Corporate travel is becoming an increasingly important sector for Airbnb

Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) corporate division in Australia and New Zealand has formed a ground-breaking partnership with Airbnb to provide accommodation for its corporate customers.

In a first for Australasia, FCTG’s corporate brands, including FCM Travel Solutions, Corporate Traveller, Campus Travel and Stage & Screen, will now be able offer their clients’ business travellers the chance to book Airbnb accommodation.

More than three million global listings are currently offered by Airbnb for Business, which also allows both the traveller and travel manager to see reservation details, make changes to the booking, and contact the host directly.

“Customers’ needs and preferences in the corporate travel sector are constantly evolving, and this agreement will deliver interesting new accommodation options that will appeal to sections of our customer base, particularly those who are looking to experience something a little different to a traditional hotel stay,” said Andrew Flannery, FCTG’s executive general manager for corporate travel. “It will also benefit our corporate customers who are travelling to locations where there may currently be an under-supply of suitable hotel rooms.

“We are currently talking with a number of clients about the range of opportunities that Airbnb offers for travellers,” he added.

Corporate travel is becoming an increasingly important sector for Airbnb; approximately 10% of all travellers on Airbnb are business travellers, and in 2016, the number of business trips booked on Airbnb tripled.

“We are thrilled to be working with FCTG’s corporate travel brands, in this sector of the travel industry, and look forward to helping Australian and New Zealand business travellers feel more at home while on the road,” said David Holyoke, global director of business travel at Airbnb. “Airbnb for Business gives business travellers the ability to explore a city like a local, making it easy to travel for work without sacrificing the comforts of home.”

The deal following a trial run by FCTG with one of its clients over the last few months, which saw travellers give an average rating of 4.76 out of 5 stars for Airbnb stays, with an average daily rate of AU$80 (approx. US$61).

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shutterstock_374623843 Corporate travel is becoming an increasingly important sector for Airbnb
Airbnb partners World Bank to boost rural tourism https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-partners-world-bank-boost-rural-tourism/ Thu, 22 Jun 2017 05:39:28 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=252330 The post Airbnb partners World Bank to boost rural tourism appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has signed a new agreement with the World Bank Group, through which the two organisations plan to boost rural economies in developing countries through tourism. A memorandum of understanding will examine the ways in which emerging destinations can use new technology and platforms such as Airbnb to create economic opportunities for communities. Airbnb and […]

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The project will initially be rolled out in India and Sri Lanka
The project will initially be rolled out in India and Sri Lanka

Airbnb has signed a new agreement with the World Bank Group, through which the two organisations plan to boost rural economies in developing countries through tourism.

A memorandum of understanding will examine the ways in which emerging destinations can use new technology and platforms such as Airbnb to create economic opportunities for communities.

Airbnb and the World Bank will also share information on the current scale of alternative accommodation options and home-sharing across several countries, beginning with pilot projects in Sri Lanka and India.

Ultimately, the aim is to define the impact of these accommodation options on rural communities and develop new ways to unlock the economic opportunities they offer. The initiative will then be rolled out to other countries.

“At Airbnb, we believe home-sharing can help close the widening gap in economic opportunity between urban and rural areas,” said Clark Stevens, Airbnb’s director of government affairs & strategic partnerships. “We’ve already seen the important economic engine that home sharing has become for communities around the world, and we’re excited to partner with the World Bank Group to further study the development impacts of home sharing and pilot projects in emerging tourist destinations.”

Travel and tourism currently accounts for nearly 10% of global GDP, and emerging markets’ share of total global arrivals is expected to reach 57% by 2030, corresponding to more than one billion travellers.

“Travel and tourism is one of the largest service industries in the world and accommodation is at its core. The sharing economy has created opportunities across the sector and this partnership with Airbnb allows us to better understand those opportunities, prepare policy responses and examine ways to support developing countries as they enable their tourism sectors to boost GDP, create jobs and decrease poverty,” said Cecile Fruman, director of the World Bank Group’s Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice.

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shutterstock_142489282 The project will initially be rolled out in India and Sri Lanka
Airbnb aims to improve check-in process https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-aims-to-improve-check-in-process/ Fri, 09 Jun 2017 05:03:29 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=251772 The post Airbnb aims to improve check-in process appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

With no check-in desks or reception staff, arriving at Airbnb properties can often be a confusing process. To alleviate these problems, the home-sharing company has created a new way of delivering check-in instructions to guests, with the aim of improving the arrival process. Now, guests will be able to receive a visual, step-by-step guide of […]

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With no check-in desks or reception staff, arriving at Airbnb properties can often be a confusing process.

To alleviate these problems, the home-sharing company has created a new way of delivering check-in instructions to guests, with the aim of improving the arrival process.

Now, guests will be able to receive a visual, step-by-step guide of what look for and expect when they arrive, within the Airbnb mobile app. These instructions will be created by the host and automatically shared with guest, reducing the number of back-and-forth messages and alleviating the need for guests to either copy and paste or print out emails.

Instructions can include information about which door to enter through, where the lockbox is located, and what the code is. Guests will be able to access these instructions from the app, even without internet access.

The new check-in instruction tools will be rolled out to hosts and guests across the globe this month.

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Airbnb could cooperate with Chinese rival https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-could-cooperate-with-chinese-rival/ Wed, 05 Apr 2017 06:53:06 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=249026 The post Airbnb could cooperate with Chinese rival appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb is in talks with Chinese home-sharing company Xiaozhu, regarding a potential collaboration. The state-run China Daily reported Chen Chi, CEO of Xiaozhu, as saying that the two companies are discussing several areas of cooperation, including data and resource sharing. The move comes as the Chinese company seeks to establish a presence in international markets […]

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Airbnb now has more than 80,000 accommodation options in China
Airbnb now has more than 80,000 accommodation options in China

Airbnb is in talks with Chinese home-sharing company Xiaozhu, regarding a potential collaboration.

The state-run China Daily reported Chen Chi, CEO of Xiaozhu, as saying that the two companies are discussing several areas of cooperation, including data and resource sharing.

The move comes as the Chinese company seeks to establish a presence in international markets including Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries.

“Different from the car-hailing sector, where Chinese player Didi Chuxing competed fiercely against its US rival Uber… we are more willing to cooperate with each other to grow the industry,” Chen told China Daily in an interview. He denied however, that Airbnb could acquire Xiaozhu.

“We want to operate independently. After all, the Chinese market is so huge and we want to get deeply involved in the industry and come up with new innovations,” Chen said.

Xiaozhu, which has about 150,000 accommodation listings across China In November, raised US$65 million in its most recent fundraising drive. It has already started to expand in Japan, with approximately 1,000 listings in the country at present.

Airbnb recently revealed significant plans to target the Chinese market. Last month it revealed its new Chinese name, “Aibiying”, and plans to double its investment in the country and triple its local workforce. Last year the company doubled its accommodation listings in the country to 80,000.

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Airbnb
Brits shun domestic attractions for international travel https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/brits-shun-domestic-attractions-for-international-travel/ Tue, 28 Mar 2017 16:37:20 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=248717 The post Brits shun domestic attractions for international travel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Brits are more likely to have visited the Eiffel Tower than the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, and more people have been to the Empire State Building than the Angel of the North, according to a new survey by Airbnb.  The findings reveal it’s not just the main tourist attractions Brits are missing out […]

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Brits are more likely to have visited the Eiffel Tower than the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, and more people have been to the Empire State Building than the Angel of the North, according to a new survey by Airbnb. 

Paris' Eiffel Tower.
Paris’ Eiffel Tower.

The findings reveal it’s not just the main tourist attractions Brits are missing out on. Almost two-thirds of Brits (62 per cent) have never visited their local art gallery and over half (52 per cent) have never gone to their nearest museum. Brits are also twice as likely to go on a boat trip in a foreign city than at home.

As a nation, Brits are far more likely to engage their sense of adventure abroad (43 per cent), citing ‘complacency’ and ‘work commitments’ the main excuses for a lack of curiosity at home. ‘Prohibitive cost’ being cited by 18-24 year olds as the main reason for not getting out and about more to explore in their local area.

Brits do want to discover more about what’s on their doorstep, so long as it is in an authentic way. Close to one third (29 per cent) said they would jump at the chance for someone who could show them interesting new places close to home.

The research marks the launch of Airbnb’s Insider Guide Books in London, a unique solution for locals and visitors to discover more about their city. Written by local cultural experts, there are now 50 London Guidebooks offering carefully curated recommendations and insider tips on unique places to go. The launch of Insider Guidebooks builds on Airbnb’s launch of the Trips platform in November, which saw the company move beyond accommodation by expanding to bookable local experiences, insider recommendations and social meetups. Other cities with Insider Guidebooks include San Francisco, Barcelona, LA, Paris, London, Detroit, Havana, Seoul, Nairobi and Tokyo, with more set to roll out soon.

London Insiders include Brit award-winner Emeli Sandé, who highlights spots that have served as her musical inspiration, and broadcaster Reggie Yates, who picks out his all-time favourite hangouts. Other Insiders include tattoo artist Grace Neutral, DJ Bradley Zero, Lily Jones – otherwise known as baker Lilli Vanilli, London dog blogger Teresa Keohane, fashion designer Fred Butler and David Carter, a celebrated London eccentric, interior designer and owner of two-bedroom boutique and Airbnb listing, 40 Winks. All Insiders share tips and recommendations to bring to life the local London that inspires them in their cultural field.

Speaking of her own Insider Guidebook, Emeli Sandé commented: “London has been my home for many years now and has been the source of inspiration for so much of my music, so it will forever be a very special place to me. I’m excited to share my favourite local spots, such as Flashback Records where the staff are all really passionate music lovers and some of my old haunts near Brick Lane where I lived when I first moved to London. They might not be the most glamorous, but they have such incredible stories to tell.”

James McClure, General Manager for Airbnb Northern Europe, commented: “London is a thriving city with so much to explore, a true melting pot of culture and inspirational people. We should strive to inspire everyone to explore the city, not just those visiting from abroad but locals too, who might have only scratched the surface of everything London has to offer. Insider Guidebooks offer inspiration from the people actually in the know, providing tips and tricks to make exploring the city both accessible and fun, no matter what your passion.”

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eiffel-tower Paris' Eiffel Tower.
Airbnb takes Trips to Delhi https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-takes-trips-to-delhi/ Tue, 28 Mar 2017 03:55:26 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=248673 The post Airbnb takes Trips to Delhi appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has launched its new Trips platform in New Delhi, adding 15 local experiences in the Indian capital. Launched in November 2016, Airbnb Trips offers visitors the chance to book activities and attractions recommended by Airbnb hosts in each city. This, according to Airbnb, allows visitors to “experience a different side of the city, immersing […]

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Airbnb will offer 15 different experiences in Delhi
Airbnb will offer 15 different experiences in Delhi

Airbnb has launched its new Trips platform in New Delhi, adding 15 local experiences in the Indian capital.

Launched in November 2016, Airbnb Trips offers visitors the chance to book activities and attractions recommended by Airbnb hosts in each city. This, according to Airbnb, allows visitors to “experience a different side of the city, immersing themselves in communities through the eyes of locals”.

“Trips is the most significant development in the history of Airbnb. We’re moving beyond just the home, bringing together where you stay, what you do and the people you meet all in one place,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s co-founder, CEO & head of community.

“I’m excited to launch India Trips today as we’ve handpicked unique experiences, designed and led by locals, to reflect the diversity and variety of the city.”

Some of the initial experiences offered on the Trips platform in Delhi include the chance to visit celebrity fashion design workshop, to spend time with local musicians, and to learn from a professional photographer. These join the 800+ experiences now available with Airbnb Trips worldwide.

The launch of Airbnb Trips in Delhi follows the recent roll-out of the concept in Bangkok.

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Trips Airbnb will offer 15 different experiences in Delhi
Airbnb发布中文名称“爱彼迎” https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnbfabuzhongwenmingchengaibiying/ Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:02:28 +0000 http://www.traveldailychina.com/?p=14512 The post Airbnb发布中文名称“爱彼迎” appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

本周三,Airbnb发布了中文名称“爱彼迎”,对中国游客来说,这一名字比该公司早先在宣传材料中使用的英文名称更好读。 Airbnb计划今年将在华投资增加一倍,将在华员工数量增加两倍,还计划在上海推出旅程体验项目,并发起新一轮广告攻势。 Airbnb多年来一直努力提升其在中国的市场份额,上述举措就是最新的动作。中国的出境游人数世界第一。 尽管Airbnb把重心放在前往海外旅游的中国游客身上——去年该平台上的这一群体的人数增加了两倍——但新举措也是为了扩大它在中国国内的市场份额。在中国国内的住宿分享市场,按上线的房源数量计算,Airbnb排名第三,落后于中国本土竞争对手途家(Tujia)和小猪短租(Xiaozhu)。 发布会上,Airbnb联合创始人兼首席执行官Brian Chesky表示,目前Airbnb中国区的本地团队已经是原来的三倍,未来还会专门开发针对中国的产品。

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本周三,Airbnb发布了中文名称“爱彼迎”,对中国游客来说,这一名字比该公司早先在宣传材料中使用的英文名称更好读。

Airbnb计划今年将在华投资增加一倍,将在华员工数量增加两倍,还计划在上海推出旅程体验项目,并发起新一轮广告攻势。

Airbnb多年来一直努力提升其在中国的市场份额,上述举措就是最新的动作。中国的出境游人数世界第一。

尽管Airbnb把重心放在前往海外旅游的中国游客身上——去年该平台上的这一群体的人数增加了两倍——但新举措也是为了扩大它在中国国内的市场份额。在中国国内的住宿分享市场,按上线的房源数量计算,Airbnb排名第三,落后于中国本土竞争对手途家(Tujia)和小猪短租(Xiaozhu)。

发布会上,Airbnb联合创始人兼首席执行官Brian Chesky表示,目前Airbnb中国区的本地团队已经是原来的三倍,未来还会专门开发针对中国的产品。

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Airbnb brings local Trips to Thailand https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-brings-local-trips-to-thailand/ Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:03:22 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=248290 The post Airbnb brings local Trips to Thailand appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has launched its new Trips concept in Thailand, as it continues to diversify out of the accommodation sector. At a press conference held in Bangkok on Thursday (16 March 2017), Joe Gebbia, Airbnb’s co-founder and chief product officer, revealed what the new service will look like. Trips expands on Airbnb’s traditional home-sharing concept by […]

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Joe Gebbia launches Trips in Bangkok
Joe Gebbia launches Trips in Bangkok

Airbnb has launched its new Trips concept in Thailand, as it continues to diversify out of the accommodation sector.

At a press conference held in Bangkok on Thursday (16 March 2017), Joe Gebbia, Airbnb’s co-founder and chief product officer, revealed what the new service will look like.

Trips expands on Airbnb’s traditional home-sharing concept by offering three different elements: Homes, Experiences and Places.  The aim is to provide travellers with a full spectrum of experiences, with insider information about local events, places to go and activities.

Thailand is a fast-growing market for Airbnb; the company has experienced a 149% increase in nationwide demand for its services in the past year, and a 93% year-on-year increase in the number of Thais wanting to share their homes.

“We want to make travel magical again by immersing curious visitors in local cities and communities, offering the opportunity to see the true character of a city through the people who live there,” said Gebbia.

“Thailand is an incredible tourist destination, with inbound travel on Airbnb growing by 149% in the last year alone, but we know that travellers want to see the real soul of a place, especially in Bangkok – a leading creative capital in Southeast Asia known for its distinctive culture, edgy energy and rich heritage. I’m so excited to be launching Trips in Bangkok today.”

With Trips, Airbnb users will able to book local experiences at the same time as they arrange their accommodation. These experiences are designed and led by local experts, who share their views of their city with travellers. These offerings can also be booked by local residents, independent of Airbnb accommodation, helping those who are looking for something new to do in their home city.

Three of the initial Trips being offered in Bangkok are a Muay Thai experience, fruit carving lessons and cocktail-making. These add to Airbnb’s global collection of more than 800 experiences now available in 13 cities around the world, including Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul in Asia Pacific. Trips is due to launch in more than 50 global cities by the end of the year.

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Airbnb Joe Gebbia launches Trips in Bangkok
Airbnb and Bermuda sign tourism agreement https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-and-bermuda-sign-tourism-agreement/ Wed, 15 Mar 2017 13:24:55 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=248253 The post Airbnb and Bermuda sign tourism agreement appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority and Airbnb have signed a major agreement that will help to promote Bermuda as a world-class destination for leisure, group travel and tourism investment.  The partnership will also create a framework that opens a dialogue between the Government of Bermuda and Airbnb to discuss topical industry matters, including marketing and regulation. […]

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The Bermuda Tourism Authority and Airbnb have signed a major agreement that will help to promote Bermuda as a world-class destination for leisure, group travel and tourism investment. 

Bermuda is blessed with stunning coastline.
Bermuda is blessed with stunning coastline.

The partnership will also create a framework that opens a dialogue between the Government of Bermuda and Airbnb to discuss topical industry matters, including marketing and regulation.

In line with one of the main objectives of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Airbnb will share its aggregated data to be included in analysing and evaluating the tourism industry’s performance holistically.

“Bermudians have been welcoming travellers into our homes for many decades. Partnering with an innovative brand like Airbnb enables us to build on our legacy of legendary hospitality, reach a new generation of travellers and expand opportunities for Bermudian homeowners to participate in the tourism economy,” said Kevin Dallas, Bermuda Tourism Authority’s CEO.

With this partnership, Airbnb will continue promoting tourism and will work to highlight Bermuda’s distinct brand and genuine island life. The strategy focuses to move Bermuda’s tourism industry forward by growing visitor spending and experience, increasing the volume of leisure and group visitors to Bermuda, and nurturing an environment for job creation.

“Today’s agreement with Bermuda is a great example of how local authorities and the private sector can work together to achieve mutually desired goals. Bermuda is an important and growing market for Airbnb and we are very excited to be working with the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Bermuda Government to help grow sustainable tourism to the island,” said Airbnb’s representative for the Caribbean and Central America, Shawn Sullivan.

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bermuda1 Bermuda coastline
Japan draws up new Airbnb rules https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/japan-draws-up-new-airbnb-rules/ Mon, 13 Mar 2017 10:25:34 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=248133 The post Japan draws up new Airbnb rules appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The Japanese government has developed new regulations for home-sharing in the country, Bloomberg reports. While home-sharing companies such as Airbnb already do business in Japan, the exact laws governing operators have previously been vague. But with the country expecting a sharp rise in visitors in the coming years, including an influx for the 2020 Olympics, […]

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Airbnb already operates in Japan
Airbnb already operates in Japan

The Japanese government has developed new regulations for home-sharing in the country, Bloomberg reports.

While home-sharing companies such as Airbnb already do business in Japan, the exact laws governing operators have previously been vague. But with the country expecting a sharp rise in visitors in the coming years, including an influx for the 2020 Olympics, the government has decided to clarify the rules.

On Friday, the Japanese cabinet introduced new rules limiting home-sharing by private citizens to 180 days a year. The bill also leaves room for local authorities to impose their own restrictions.

“What’s important is that there will now be clear rules governing home-sharing,” said Mika Yamamoto, Airbnb’s public policy manager in Japan was quoted saying. “The impact on people will vary depending on their position.”

Japan welcomed a record 24 million overseas visitors in 2016, and is targeting 40m arrivals by 2020 and 60m by 2030, which will put pressure on the country’s accommodation providers.

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shutterstock_450976570 Airbnb already operates in Japan
My 15 Minutes of Fame (and why Airbnb is Killing it) https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/15-minutes-fame-airbnb-killing/ https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/15-minutes-fame-airbnb-killing/#respond Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:42:42 +0000 http://traveldailyusa.com/?p=1946 The post My 15 Minutes of Fame (and why Airbnb is Killing it) appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

In 2010, I was working on an update to our U.S. vacation rental market research, and one name kept popping up: Airbnb. I began digging in. The model was odd – people rent out their primary residences or spaces within their homes – but the product and founders were compelling. They took a very design-driven, […]

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The post My 15 Minutes of Fame (and why Airbnb is Killing it) appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

In 2010, I was working on an update to our U.S. vacation rental market research, and one name kept popping up: Airbnb. I began digging in. The model was odd – people rent out their primary residences or spaces within their homes – but the product and founders were compelling. They took a very design-driven, customer-focused approach, and online booking and guest reviews – largely eschewed by the vacation rental industry to date – were baked into their model from the start.

I sent a note to the Phocuswright analyst team: I’m not sure about this idea of people renting out their primary homes, but there’s something going on here. This is one startup to watch.

The story since is now well known. One in three U.S. travelers stayed in some form of private accommodation in 2015, up from one in 10 in 2011. Airbnb, now the fourth-largest online travel company in the world by gross bookings (and second by valuation), has ridden – and driven – that wave.

How Airbnb Did It

There are many factors in Airbnb’s remarkable growth. I have written about them,researched them – and spoken about them – extensively: design, booking, two-way reviews, data-driven product development and marketing, innovative growth hacking, among much else. But if I had to pick just one as most important, it would be this: They figured out early on that the host is the lynchpin.

Why is that so important? Well, how do you create some semblance of product consistency across millions of homes when you don’t own the inventory? Post-booking, the guest experience is completely in the hands of the host.

And Airbnb has created an incredible community of engaged hosts.

I witnessed this firsthand at the Airbnb Open. I spoke on a panel with Chip Conley and other hospitality and tourism leaders about how Airbnb and the travel industry could better collaborate.

With 10 minutes left, some 30-40 attendees lined up to ask questions. We couldn’t get to them all. And when the panel was over, I was swarmed by 15 or so hosts, each of whom pressed me with questions about the marketplace and how to be better hosts (while two very kind security staff observed and offered to whisk me away).

OK, 15 may not seem like a lot (for a mild-mannered travel analyst, I felt famous for 15 minutes!).

I speak at numerous travel industry events every year and increasingly, I have been asked to speak about the rise of rentals and Airbnb, among other trends. I’ve spoken about the impact of Airbnb, the competitive risks to hotels, and I frequently challenge the industry by emphasizing the changes knocking on their doors. But I’ve never been swarmed.

Maybe now and again a hotelier, vacation rental property manager or technology startup will come up afterwards with a follow-up question or two.

Chip made this observation to me afterwards [paraphrased]: “So much of the industry research is about the numbers. Of course that’s important, but the Open can introduce you to the softer side of Airbnb – its community of passionate hosts.

This is a powerful lesson for all of travel, tourism and hospitality. Airbnb has a remarkable built-in advantage: its community of highly motivated hosts, who are directly and financially incented to provide a great experience. Imagine what your last hotel stay might have been like if every employee at that hotel were similarly motivated.

Airbnb Trips
Oh yeah, Airbnb introduced its Trips platform. I have lots of thoughts on that – more to come soon!

Douglas Quinby

Vice President, Research


Learn more about the Airbnb consumer in the publication,  From Hotels to Homes: Opening the Door to the Airbnb Traveler.

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https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/15-minutes-fame-airbnb-killing/feed/ 0 My 15 Minutes of Fame (and why Airbnb is Killing it) In 2010, I was working on an update to our U.S. vacation rental market research, and one name kept popping up: Airbnb. I began digging in. The model was odd – people rent out their primary residences or spaces within their homes – but the product and founders were compelling. They took a very design Airbnb,PhoCusWright,Chip Conley,Douglas Quinby,Home Rentals
Research reveals Airbnb’s rising influence on hospitality trends https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/research-reveals-airbnbs-rising-influence-on-hospitality-sector/ Fri, 20 Jan 2017 13:28:18 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=246245 The post Research reveals Airbnb’s rising influence on hospitality trends appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

An unprecedented independent analysis by STR has revealed the rising influence of Airbnb on the hospitality sector.  Among its key findings are that Airbnb occupancy was the highest in markets where hotels had high occupancy. STR compared 32 months of Airbnb proprietary data with hotel performance data in 13 major global markets. The analysis revealed […]

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An unprecedented independent analysis by STR has revealed the rising influence of Airbnb on the hospitality sector. 

Photo by d8nn/Shutterstock
Photo by d8nn/Shutterstock

Among its key findings are that Airbnb occupancy was the highest in markets where hotels had high occupancy.

STR compared 32 months of Airbnb proprietary data with hotel performance data in 13 major global markets. The analysis revealed key findings regarding occupancy levels in each sector as well as trends in hotel compression nights and rate premiums.
STR compared hotel performance data from its global database with Airbnb-sourced data in 13 markets from 1 December 2013 through 31 July 2016. For the purposes of the analysis, STR excluded Airbnb data for units deemed incomparable to hotels (such as shared accommodations).
Markets included: Barcelona, Boston, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, New Orleans, Paris, San Francisco, Seattle, Sydney, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.
“We are excited to share our findings from the first comprehensive study on this topic that uses actual Airbnb data and not a scraped data set,” said Jan Freitag, STR’s senior VP for lodging insights. “It is not surprising that results were different in each market, but data suggests that Airbnb owners seem to not deploy yield management strategies as effectively as their hotel counterparts. Occupancies of hotels are higher than Airbnb occupancies, while hotels charge a higher room rate.”
Three key findings:

Airbnb occupancy was the highest in markets where hotels had high occupancy. For example, during the 12 months ending July 2016, Tokyo reported the highest Airbnb occupancy level (61.5%) among the 13 markets and ranked second with an 84.8% hotel occupancy level.

Despite increases in Airbnb supply, the long-range trend of hotel compression nights (occupancy at or above 95%) did not greatly vary in the seven U.S. markets: 61 total in 2013, 75 total in 2014, 76 total in 2015 and 71 total in 2016.

There was little degradation on hotelier pricing power during those compression nights. In the seven U.S. markets, hoteliers priced rooms 30.8% higher on compression nights than non-compression nights in 2013, 25.6% higher in 2014, 34.9% higher in 2015 and 34.8% higher in 2016.

Other findings from the analysis include:

As of November 2016, Airbnb listings (3.0 million listings) outnumbered the inventory of the world’s largest hotel company, Marriott International, Inc. (1.1 million rooms), by nearly three units to one. However, when removing units that are not comparable to hotels, Airbnb listings numbered 1.0 million.

Airbnb’s share of market demand and revenues were approximately 4% and 3%, respectively.

Airbnb guests typically stayed longer than the average hotel guest in the seven U.S. markets: 46.5% of all Airbnb roomnights sold were part of a seven-day or longer stay, while 9% of all hotel roomnights sold were attributed to extended-stay brands.

Hotel occupancy was significantly higher than Airbnb occupancy during the 12 months ending July 2016. Hotel occupancy was highest in Sydney (85.4%) and lowest in Mexico City (68.7%). Airbnb occupancy was highest in Tokyo (61.5%) and lowest in Mexico City (18.4%).

In general, Airbnb’s share of business travel (an estimated 10%) was substantially smaller than its share of leisure travel.

During the 12 months ending July 2016, hotel average daily rate (ADR) in the seven U.S. markets was US$16 higher than Airbnb rates. The largest difference was reported in Miami, where hoteliers charged US$44 more on average than did Airbnb hosts. San Francisco was the most expensive market for hotels (US$232.12) and Airbnb units (US$207.39).

Hotel ADR increased in all but one market (Paris) in the 12 months ending July 2016. Airbnb rates decreased in eight markets and increased in five.  Supply may have been a contributing factor to that trend as the majority of the markets analyzed saw available Airbnb units increase at or above 40%—and in some cases more than 100%.

“We hope that this in-depth analysis will assist operators, lawmakers and pundits in gaining better insights into markets and the current state of the hotel industry as Airbnb continues to expand its foothold as a more established lodging provider,” Freitag said.

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Airbnb mobile
Airbnb still struggles to compete with hotels https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-still-struggles-to-compete-with-hotels/ Fri, 20 Jan 2017 06:47:12 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=246223 The post Airbnb still struggles to compete with hotels appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Occupancy at Airbnb properties follows the same trends as the hotel sector, with cities that experience high demand for hotel rooms also seeing high levels of Airbnb use. But overall, occupancy and rates at Airbnb properties are lower than their equivalent hotel accommodation. These are the findings of a new report by STR, which compared […]

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Occupancy at Airbnb properties follows the same trends as the hotel sector, with cities that experience high demand for hotel rooms also seeing high levels of Airbnb use. But overall, occupancy and rates at Airbnb properties are lower than their equivalent hotel accommodation.

These are the findings of a new report by STR, which compared the trends of hotel and Airbnb performance in a series of key global cities. As an example, Tokyo, which had high average hotel occupancy of 84.8% for the 12 months ending July 2016, also had the highest Airbnb occupancy level of the 13 studied cities, at 61.5%.

Airbnb occupancy and rates are generally lower than those of hotels
Airbnb occupancy and rates are generally lower than those of hotels

While this may seem like a natural trend, it also points to conclusion that hotels and Airbnb accommodation complement, rather than compete with, each other.

STR studied the accommodation sectors in Barcelona, Boston, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, New Orleans, Paris, San Francisco, Seattle, Sydney, Tokyo and Washington DC, analysing its own hotel performance data alongside information provided by Airbnb. Overall, hotel occupancy was found to be significantly higher than Airbnb.

“We are excited to share our findings from the first comprehensive study on this topic that uses actual Airbnb data and not a scraped data set,” said Jan Freitag, STR’s senior vice president for lodging insights. “Data suggests that Airbnb owners seem to not deploy yield management strategies as effectively as their hotel counterparts. Occupancies of hotels are higher than Airbnb occupancies, while hotels charge a higher room rate.”

If Airbnb is competing with hotels in any sector, it appears to be the long-stay leisure market. Airbnb guests typically stayed longer than the average hotel guest in the seven US markets studied; 46.5% of all Airbnb room nights sold were part of a seven-day or longer stay. In comparison, only 9% of hotel room nights were attributed to extended-stay brands.

Tokyo had the highest Airbnb occupancy
Tokyo had the highest Airbnb occupancy

But Airbnb’s share of business travel (an estimated 10%) was substantially smaller than its share of leisure travel.

On average, hotel occupancy was significantly higher than Airbnb occupancy during the 12-month period. Hotel occupancy was highest in Sydney (85.4%) and lowest in Mexico City (68.7%), while Airbnb occupancy was highest in Tokyo (61.5%) and lowest in Mexico City (18.4%).

And nightly rates are also higher in hotels; for the 12 months to July 2016, the average daily rate (ADR) for hotels in the seven US markets was US$16 higher than comparable Airbnb rates. The largest difference was reported in Miami, where hoteliers charged US$44 more on average than Airbnb hosts.

Hotel ADR increased in all but one market (Paris) in the 12-month period, but Airbnb rates decreased in eight markets and increased in five.

Overall, Airbnb’s share of demand and revenues in the studied markets were just 4% and 3%, respectively.

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Airbnb Airbnb occupancy and rates are generally lower than those of hotels Tokyo Tokyo had the highest Airbnb occupancy
Airbnb gears up for biggest night ever on NYE https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-gears-up-for-biggest-night-ever-on-nye/ Thu, 29 Dec 2016 10:18:56 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=245427 The post Airbnb gears up for biggest night ever on NYE appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb will celebrate its biggest night ever on New Year’s Eve, projecting nearly 2 million guests around the world will ring in 2017 while staying in an Airbnb. That’s nearly double the number of guests who stayed in an Airbnb on New Year’s Eve 2016, and an increase of 1400x since 2009.  The projected 2 […]

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Airbnb will celebrate its biggest night ever on New Year’s Eve, projecting nearly 2 million guests around the world will ring in 2017 while staying in an Airbnb. That’s nearly double the number of guests who stayed in an Airbnb on New Year’s Eve 2016, and an increase of 1400x since 2009. 

London.
London.

The projected 2 million guests this year will come from over 200 countries and territories, and are traveling to nearly 200 countries and territories globally. The top countries travellers are staying in are the United States, followed by France, Australia, Spain and Great Britain.

New York City is once again the most popular destination among New Year’s Eve revellers staying in Airbnb homes, with a total of 55,000 guests projected this year. The most popular cities include London, Paris, Tokyo and Rome, in addition to the Big Apple.

The global median price of listings booked for New Year’s Eve reservations is £76 per night. And New York City hosts with reservations spanning New Year’s Eve are projected to earn around £26 million and in London, they’ll earn nearly £17 million. Among the top five cities for New Year’s eve travel, hosts are expected to earn more than £73 million combined.

While classic holiday spots like New York City and Paris aren’t diminishing in popularity, cities in Cuba, New Zealand, Japan, Spain and Mexico are emerging as New Year’s Eve travel-trending destinations on Airbnb. Cities that have seen the most growth in New Year’s Eve bookings since 2015 include Havana, Queenstown, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Fukuoka-shi and Cancun.

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London fireworks web London.
Airbnb and Jamaica Sign Tourism Agreement  https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-and-jamaica-sign-tourism-agreement/ Mon, 19 Dec 2016 11:14:04 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=245211 The post Airbnb and Jamaica Sign Tourism Agreement  appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The Jamaica Tourist Board and Airbnb have signed a major agreement to promote tourism to the island, highlight the country’s unique history and culture, and position Airbnb for continued growth in this world class tourist destination. This is Airbnb’s second major partnership agreement in the Caribbean. “Jamaica has so much to offer travellers seeking authentic […]

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The post Airbnb and Jamaica Sign Tourism Agreement  appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The Jamaica Tourist Board and Airbnb have signed a major agreement to promote tourism to the island, highlight the country’s unique history and culture, and position Airbnb for continued growth in this world class tourist destination. This is Airbnb’s second major partnership agreement in the Caribbean.

“Jamaica has so much to offer travellers seeking authentic experiences due to the diversity of our tourism product. With this partnership with Airbnb, we will be able to offer a renewed focus on community-based tourism which highlights our biggest asset – our people,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Mr. Paul Pennicook. “We foresee a great partnership with Airbnb and look forward to exceeding their client’s expectations in the Home of All Right.”

“We are excited to announce this partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board. Jamaica is a world class tourist destination that offers visitors a unique experience against a beautiful backdrop. Whether you come to Jamaica for the beaches, the country’s fascinating history and culture, amazing food or warm people, Jamaica has something to offer everyone. We look forward to continuing our work with everyone involved in promoting Jamaica as a top travel destination,” said Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb’s Public Policy lead for Central America and the Caribbean.  “Airbnb travelers seek unique and authentic travel experiences and Jamaica offers just that.”

There are 4,000 listings in Jamaica and the average earnings for a host on the island is $2,500 USD per year.  Today’s agreement brings new opportunities to grow the island’s tourism industry and expands economic opportunities for Jamaicans.

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Business travel sharing economy booms in 2016 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/business-travel-sharing-economy-booms-in-2016/ Sat, 17 Dec 2016 13:01:23 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=245125 The post Business travel sharing economy booms in 2016 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

More than a quarter (28 per cent) of travel managers now include sharing economy providers (aka interrupters) in their travel policy, compared to 8 per cent last year. 56 per cent have used Uber more in the last 12 months and 17 per cent have increased bookings through Airbnb over the same period.  These are […]

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More than a quarter (28 per cent) of travel managers now include sharing economy providers (aka interrupters) in their travel policy, compared to 8 per cent last year. 56 per cent have used Uber more in the last 12 months and 17 per cent have increased bookings through Airbnb over the same period. 

Photo by d8nn/Shutterstock
Photo by d8nn/Shutterstock

These are just some of the results of a Business Travel Show poll of 178 European travel managers investigating the growth of the sharing economy within corporate travel.

Almost half of buyers use disruptors when booking independently, compared to 20 percent last year.

Thirty-seven percent believe they benefit their travel programme, compared to 27 percent previously.

Nikki Rogan, Global Travel Manager, Symantec, UK is a senior buyer on the Business Travel Show advisory board. She commented: “Business travellers who book directly are increasingly using alternative providers. As a result, buyers are now taking note and starting to include them more in policy and programmes – it’s just one part of the move towards listening to our travellers and offering them a more personalised offering.”

Airbnb and Uber are exhibiting at the Business Travel Show in 2017 and buyers can also find out more about next generation suppliers in the Business Travel Show conference programme’s session ‘Access economy or excess economy? Figuring out the best way to manage new-gen suppliers and distributors.’

Andrew Ratcliffe, Sales Manager, Airbnb UK & Ireland commented: “Travel Managers are increasingly engaging with Airbnb to learn about the business tools we offer and the benefits their travellers enjoy with Airbnb for business. The show is a great opportunity to engage with buyers and connect again with our clients.”

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Airbnb home-sharing to help women in rural India https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-home-sharing-to-help-women-in-rural-india/ Fri, 25 Nov 2016 08:50:26 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=244237 The post Airbnb home-sharing to help women in rural India appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb’s Thao Nguyen agrees the deal with SEWA’s Reema Nanavaty

Airbnb has signed a new agreement that could help women in rural parts of India generate extra income through home-sharing. The digital company has penned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA), opening up the possibility of home-sharing to its members, whom are typically from under-privileged communities. Through the […]

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Airbnb’s Thao Nguyen agrees the deal with SEWA’s Reema Nanavaty
Airbnb’s Thao Nguyen agrees the deal with SEWA’s Reema Nanavaty
Airbnb’s Thao Nguyen agrees the deal with SEWA’s Reema Nanavaty

Airbnb has signed a new agreement that could help women in rural parts of India generate extra income through home-sharing.

The digital company has penned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA), opening up the possibility of home-sharing to its members, whom are typically from under-privileged communities.

Through the partnership, Airbnb will work with SEWA members to help them share their homes, thus creating additional economic opportunities for women in rural areas, as well as and promoting tourism in less-visited parts of the country. The initiative will initially be rolled out in Gujarat before expanding to other states.

“The partnership is an important step in Airbnb’s commitment to enable economic empowerment for female entrepreneurs and promote digital inclusion in rural areas,” said Thao Nguyen, Airbnb’s director of policy partnerships for Asia Pacific.

“Our mission is to democratise travel and through the partnership, we can help promote economic opportunities across diverse communities, help revitalise the rural economy and help prevent distress migration to urban areas, particularly among women and the youth.”

The MoU will also see Airbnb hold training sessions for SEWA members, equipping them with the skills needed to share their homes, before promoting them via its digital channels. In future, Airbnb and SEWA plan to expand the programme by partnering with state governments, academic institutions and other organisations.

“By partnering with Airbnb, we hope to create meaningful, productive and sustainable livelihood opportunities through the new age economy for our two million women members across 14 states of India, especially the young members who would benefit tremendously from digital inclusion,” said Reema Nanavaty, SEWA’s director.

“Through the partnership, we will help our members become powerful micro-entrepreneurs, best placed to promote sustainable and responsible tourism in India and bridge the gap between urban and rural communities by exposing them to the rural way of life through Airbnb hosting.”

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Airbnb-SEWA Airbnb’s Thao Nguyen agrees the deal with SEWA’s Reema Nanavaty
Airbnb takes first Trips outside accommodation sector https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-takes-first-trips-outside-accommodation-sector/ Fri, 18 Nov 2016 05:18:08 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=243891 The post Airbnb takes first Trips outside accommodation sector appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb users can now add local activities and tours into their accommodation bookings

Airbnb has embarked on what it is calling “the most significant development in its eight-year history” as it expands outside the accommodation sector. The shared economy company has launched Trips, a new platform that incorporates social and local activities into the Airbnb booking process. The concept initially features three areas – Experiences, Places and Home […]

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The post Airbnb takes first Trips outside accommodation sector appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb users can now add local activities and tours into their accommodation bookings
Airbnb users can now add local activities and tours into their accommodation bookings
Airbnb users can now add local activities and tours into their accommodation bookings

Airbnb has embarked on what it is calling “the most significant development in its eight-year history” as it expands outside the accommodation sector.

The shared economy company has launched Trips, a new platform that incorporates social and local activities into the Airbnb booking process. The concept initially features three areas – Experiences, Places and Home – with Flights and Services to be added in future.

“Until now, Airbnb has been about home,” said Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb. “Today, Airbnb is launching Trips, bringing together where you stay, what you do and the people you meet, all in one place. We want to make travel magical again by putting people back at the heart of every trip.”

Trips promises to “immerse travellers” in their communities, providing access to local arts, crafts and events “like violin making in Paris or marathon running in Kenya”. The concept launches with 500 “Experiences” in 12 global cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Detroit, Havana, London, Paris, Florence, Nairobi, Cape Town, Tokyo and Seoul.

Airbnb hosts can also now request to add their own experiences to the list, in all of the aforementioned cities plus another 39 destinations. Some of the experiences will also help not-for-profit organisations.

Under the “Places” aspect of Trips, Airbnb has developed guidebooks and identified local “cultural experts” that allow travellers to explore their destination. Initially, 100 guidebooks will be available covering six cities – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Havana, Nairobi, Detroit and Seoul ­ with more being planned. These will include a series of local recommendations, including cafes and restaurants which can then be booked via a restaurant booking platform, Resy, through the Airbnb app.

Airbnb has also entered into a partnership with Detour for audio walking tours, which are initially available for Los Angeles, with San Francisco, Paris, London, Tokyo and Seoul to follow in 2017.

Booking Trips, travellers will be able to compile an itinerary into a single travel timeline, with the ability to add the new elements into their accommodation reservation.

Airbnb now offers approximately three million accommodation options in 191 countries.

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shutterstock_374035687 Airbnb users can now add local activities and tours into their accommodation bookings
Airbnb struggling for traction with Brit holidaymakers https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-struggling-for-a-foothold-with-brit-holidaymakers/ Tue, 08 Nov 2016 12:18:44 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=243438 The post Airbnb struggling for traction with Brit holidaymakers appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

British holidaymakers are not as engaged with Airbnb as the hype suggests, according to the World Travel Market Industry Report 2016.  When asked about their use of the poster child for the so-called sharing economy, only 12% of British holidaymakers said that they had used Airbnb. Airbnb, the global platform which allows individuals around the […]

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The post Airbnb struggling for traction with Brit holidaymakers appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

British holidaymakers are not as engaged with Airbnb as the hype suggests, according to the World Travel Market Industry Report 2016. 

Photo by d8nn/Shutterstock
Photo by d8nn/Shutterstock

When asked about their use of the poster child for the so-called sharing economy, only 12% of British holidaymakers said that they had used Airbnb.

Airbnb, the global platform which allows individuals around the globe to rent homes or rooms to travellers, is worth an estimated $30 billion. In September it raised $555 million dollars, with Google’s dedicated investment arm taking a stake.

It is widely seen as a disruptor, prompting not only global hotel chains to rethink their business model but also driving a change in the how online travel agencies market their accommodation inventory.

The relatively low take-up by Brits comes as a surprise in light of the brand’s profile, although last year’s World Travel Market Industry Report found that only 3% on Brits used Airbnb.

This suggests that Airbnb’s marketing initiatives in the UK are starting to raise awareness.

Looking ahead, the report found that less than one in five of those who haven’t yet used Airbnb would consider doing so in the future, with three in ten saying they had no intention of using the platform. Nearly half (48%) were undecided.

Repeat use might also be a concern – of the 12% who did use Airbnb only 60% said they would do so again.

The global travel industry is divided on whether the wider sharing economy is having an effect on its business, with 47% of trade respondents saying their business was unaffected by the trend. Of those who were seeing an impact, 32% said it was negative, 21% positive.

Compared with 2015, the sharing economy is growing in influence. Last year the percentage of industry respondents unaffected was 58%. However, last year’s sample was less enthusiastic with only 16% talking in terms of a positive impact, while the negative impact was felt by 26%.

World Travel Market senior director Simon Press said: “This is a fascinating snapshot into how the travel industry sees itself and how consumers see the sector. More than half of us who work in the industry are seeing our business change as a result of the sharing economy, even if the level of influence on British travellers at least is limited.
“But Airbnb is an incredibly well-funded and run business which will mature and develop over time. It has a global reach and is undeniably a significant player in the travel industry.”

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Airbnb mobile
Qantas, Airbnb form world-first partnership https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/qantas-airbnb-form-world-first-partnership/ Tue, 04 Oct 2016 06:22:30 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=241918 The post Qantas, Airbnb form world-first partnership appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

To celebrate the partnership, Qantas has added the Airbnb to one of its aircraft (photo by James Horan

Qantas and Airbnb have joined forces in a world-first partnership that gives the airline’s frequent flyers the chance to use their miles to book private rental accommodation. Under the agreement, Qantas’ 11.4 million frequent flyer members will be able to earn miles when they book their Airbnb accommodation through qantas.com. One Qantas Point will be […]

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The post Qantas, Airbnb form world-first partnership appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

To celebrate the partnership, Qantas has added the Airbnb to one of its aircraft (photo by James Horan

Qantas and Airbnb have joined forces in a world-first partnership that gives the airline’s frequent flyers the chance to use their miles to book private rental accommodation.

Under the agreement, Qantas’ 11.4 million frequent flyer members will be able to earn miles when they book their Airbnb accommodation through qantas.com. One Qantas Point will be awarded for every dollar spent on any of Airbnb’s 2.5 million accommodation listings worldwide.

To celebrate the partnership, Qantas has added the Airbnb to one of its aircraft (photo by James Horan
To celebrate the partnership, Qantas has added the Airbnb to one of its aircraft (photo by James Horan

Effectively the tie-up is nothing new; Qantas has many similar partnerships with hotel companies. But this marks the first time Airbnb has formed such a partnership with an airline FFP, reflecting a modern shift in consumer travel trends.

“The way that people around the world plan, book and experience travel is changing rapidly with the digital revolution,” explained Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce. “We know many of our customers are just as likely to arrange an Airbnb as they are to book a hotel, and we wanted to recognise and reward them for that.”

Airbnb’s CEO & co-founder, Brian Chesky, commented; “Our announcement today with Qantas highlights the rapidly growing movement towards the personalised and unique experiences available through the Airbnb community.

“People around the world are experiencing a different way to travel through Airbnb. We’re focused on connecting people with the hospitality of locals, welcoming travellers into their communities so they can truly belong anywhere. There are just a handful of global brands who understand that travel is now changing for the better. Qantas is one of those brands.”

To earn Qantas Points, frequent flyers should visit qantas.com/stay and choose the Airbnb option.

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Airbnb and Qantas partnership announcement. Photo James Horan To celebrate the partnership, Qantas has added the Airbnb to one of its aircraft (photo by James Horan
“Chinese Airbnb” sets new record for room nights https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/chinese-airbnb-sets-new-record-for-room-nights/ Mon, 15 Aug 2016 02:49:50 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=239852 The post “Chinese Airbnb” sets new record for room nights appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Tujia displays its booking data

Tujia, the company known as the “Airbnb of China”, has set a new record for the number of room nights sold. On 5 August 2016, the company achieved single-day orders exceeding 56,000 room nights. This marks the first time Tujia has disclosed its single-day data, but it constitutes the highest level of single-day transactions recorded […]

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Tujia displays its booking data

Tujia, the company known as the “Airbnb of China”, has set a new record for the number of room nights sold.

On 5 August 2016, the company achieved single-day orders exceeding 56,000 room nights. This marks the first time Tujia has disclosed its single-day data, but it constitutes the highest level of single-day transactions recorded in the Chinese accommodation sharing sector to-date. Tujia said that the growth could indicate the start of a period of “explosive market growth” in China in the next six to 12 months.

Tujia displays its booking data
Tujia displays its booking data

Other data disclosed by the company showed that families and groups accounted for more than 70% of all Tujia users, and that orders for three or more nights comprised 60% of reservations.

“Multiple persons staying together or staying for multiple days has become a notable characteristic of Tujia users,” the company stated.

It also noted “rapid growth” in bookings at its international properties, with destinations in Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea recording the highest number of transactions. However no specific figures were released to support this assertion.

“After over five years of market cultivation, it is estimated that at least tens of millions Chinese consumers have familiarised and adopted the new house sharing model,” Tujia stated. “The potential market size for house sharing in China is far from being saturated. Meanwhile, major platforms like Tujia have insisted on quality management on a long-term basis, thus establishing trust from users for this new type of accommodation. This is also a significant basis for rapid market growth in the future.”

In August 2015 Tujia raised funding of US$300 million, which valued the overall business at more than US$1 billion. It now features an online inventory of 430,000 properties covering 312 destinations in mainland Chin, and has more than 1,000 properties overseas.

On 22 June 2016, Tujia acquired its domestic rival mayi.com, which it says was an “important strategy of Tujia in an effort to consolidate its leading position in the Chinese market”.

Since launching on 1 December 2011, Tujia’s annual transaction growth rate has exceeded 300% year-on-year. It still has a long way to go to beat Airbnb on a global scale however; the accommodation sharing site currently books approximately 37 million room nights per year, or a daily average of more than 101,000.

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Tujia Order Record Tujia displays its booking data
Amex ties with Airbnb for business travel https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/amex-ties-with-airbnb-for-business-travel/ Thu, 14 Jul 2016 13:00:16 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=238755 The post Amex ties with Airbnb for business travel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

American Express Global Business Travel (“GBT”) has signed a commercial agreement with Airbnb that will make Airbnb for Business more accessible to GBT customers and allow GBT to book accommodation on Airbnb for business travellers. Since being founded in 2008, Airbnb hosts have welcomed more than 100 million guest arrivals worldwide. Approximately 10 per cent […]

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American Express Global Business Travel (“GBT”) has signed a commercial agreement with Airbnb that will make Airbnb for Business more accessible to GBT customers and allow GBT to book accommodation on Airbnb for business travellers.

Since being founded in 2008, Airbnb hosts have welcomed more than 100 million guest arrivals worldwide. Approximately 10 per cent of all travellers on Airbnb are business travellers. This trend is largely driven by those seeking accommodation that allows them to experience cities and neighbourhoods they visit.

During the first phase of the programme, GBT and its customers can book directly on Airbnb.com. In the coming weeks, GBT and Airbnb will integrate Airbnb booking information into GBT’s reporting platform so customers can easily track travellers’ Airbnb bookings. Once the integration is complete, the reservation details for each business trip will automatically be shared with GBT. Travel managers access the data through corporate reporting and duty of care platforms. Travellers also access booking information through GBT’s corporate reporting and duty of care platforms, in addition to their regular corporate itineraries and on mobile devices.

“Business travellers want the freedom to choose accommodation that aligns with their personal and professional tastes,” said Wes Bergstrom, GBT’s VP, Global Supplier Relations. “At the same time, traveller safety and security are a top priority for companies. As the first travel management company (TMC) to partner with Airbnb, our customers can evolve their travel policies to offer travellers the ability to book preferred accommodation.”

The first phase of the partnership will go live in the US in the next few weeks, and expand to the UK, France and Germany, later this year.

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Airbnb optimistic on China https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-optimistic-on-china/ Tue, 28 Jun 2016 08:06:45 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=238166 The post Airbnb optimistic on China appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

China has become Airbnb's fastest-growing market for outbound travel

Airbnb has said it has high hopes for the Chinese market, as a younger generation of travellers starts to embrace the shared economy. Speaking at an event in Tianjin this week, Airbnb’s head of global operations, Varsha Rao, told the Xinhua news agency that the traditional mould of Chinese travellers is changing, and that Airbnb […]

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China has become Airbnb's fastest-growing market for outbound travel
China has become Airbnb's fastest-growing market for outbound travel
China has become Airbnb’s fastest-growing market for outbound travel

Airbnb has said it has high hopes for the Chinese market, as a younger generation of travellers starts to embrace the shared economy.

Speaking at an event in Tianjin this week, Airbnb’s head of global operations, Varsha Rao, told the Xinhua news agency that the traditional mould of Chinese travellers is changing, and that Airbnb is capitalising on this shift.

“We’ve seen positive signs of a developing sharing economy in China both from the consumers and the government,” she told Xinhua during the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2016.

The Shanghai Daily reports that more than two million Chinese have since used the accommodation sharing site while travelling abroad since it launched in China in 2012. And Ms Rao revealed that China has become Airbnb’s fastest-growing market for outbound travel, surging 500% in 2015.

The company does have hundreds of listings within China, but Ms Rao said the most significant growth was likely to come from Chinese travelling overseas. This, she stated, is due to the rise in the number of Chinese millennials who want to experience more authentic local culture, instead of just ticking off tourist spots on a package tour.

“We call them travellers, not tourists, as the former try to meet local people and experience life there instead of just seeing sights,” she said.

Ms Rao added that Airbnb is now working with Chinese social media platforms to create new marketing campaigns for outbound Chinese travellers.

“Chinese consumers are very sophisticated now, so we must keep localising and improving our services,” she added.

And appears that Airbnb has high-level support in China; the country’s Premier, Li Keqiang, addressed the opening of the Tianjin event on Monday, saying that the shared economy offers positive opportunities for the distribution of income and the development of a stronger middle class.

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shutterstock_385172650 China has become Airbnb's fastest-growing market for outbound travel
Airbnb boosts business travel options https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-boosts-business-travel-options/ Thu, 09 Jun 2016 11:08:26 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=237467 The post Airbnb boosts business travel options appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has announced the launch of a new tool that allows employees to book business travel for co-workers. As business travel has tripled in growth on Airbnb in 2016, this new feature allows business partners like travel managers and executive assistants to be able to book Airbnb listings on behalf of other employees. Airbnb claims […]

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Airbnb has announced the launch of a new tool that allows employees to book business travel for co-workers.

As business travel has tripled in growth on Airbnb in 2016, this new feature allows business partners like travel managers and executive assistants to be able to book Airbnb listings on behalf of other employees.

Airbnb claims the new service adds a whole new dimension to the way companies are able to book listings for all their business travel needs.

Both the employee who is managing travel and the employee who is taking the trip can see the trip details, make changes to the reservation and message the Airbnb host with questions about the listing or neighborhood.

“More and more business travelers are choosing to stay with Airbnb while they are on the road, so they get the chance to not just visit, but live in a city, even if it’s for one night,” said Lex Bayer, head of Global Payments and Business Development at Airbnb. “Our hosts offer more than just generic hospitality, they help travelers live in the heart of local neighborhoods. We we are excited that this product update will introduce a whole new segment of business travelers to this experience.”

To date, 50,000 companies have used Airbnb for Business to make a booking and 10 percent of all travel that happens on Airbnb is business travel.

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“No reason” Airbnb and Uber can’t be sold via GDS https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/no-reason-airbnb-and-uber-cant-be-sold-via-gds/ Sat, 28 May 2016 05:07:38 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=236922 The post “No reason” Airbnb and Uber can’t be sold via GDS appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Could Airbnb be distributed via the GDS?

Airbnb, Uber and other shared economy companies could be incorporated into the GDS in future, if there was demand for it, Travelport has revealed. Speaking at the Travelport Live 2016 event in Macau, senior Travelport’s executives told Travel Daily that “there is no reason” why Airbnb and Uber couldn’t be distributed via the travel agency […]

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Could Airbnb be distributed via the GDS?

Airbnb, Uber and other shared economy companies could be incorporated into the GDS in future, if there was demand for it, Travelport has revealed.

Speaking at the Travelport Live 2016 event in Macau, senior Travelport’s executives told Travel Daily that “there is no reason” why Airbnb and Uber couldn’t be distributed via the travel agency channel, although there are no immediate plans to make this happen.

Could Airbnb be distributed via the GDS?
Could Airbnb be distributed via the GDS?

“I don’t see why not; I’m not aware of anything on the roadmap, but there’s no reason why not,” Martin Herbert, Travelport’s general manager for Asia, told us.

“We pull together and aggregate content, so from that point of view we have more than 20 different suppliers in our Rooms & More product… all there within the same interface. There’s no technical reason why an Airbnb product couldn’t go into that.

“We have the technology to bring it in. It’s more about the demand from the agency channel themselves about whether they want to offer that,” he added.

Herbert noted however, that there are “duty-of-care issues” relating to the use of accommodation sharing sites, especially in the corporate travel sector.

“The challenge is around corporate travel policies. But it’s something we’d be completely open to. Watch this space; who knows what might happen. We would not rule it out,” said Kate Aldridge, Travelport’s vice president of global corporate communications.

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shutterstock_380493958 Could Airbnb be distributed via the GDS?
Travel “disruptors” allow industry to grow https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/travel-disruptors-allow-industry-to-grow/ Wed, 25 May 2016 07:50:30 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=236800 The post Travel “disruptors” allow industry to grow appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Uber is a "complement to car rental", according to Travelport's Niklas Andreen

The so-called “disruptors” of the travel industry, such as Airbnb and Uber, are actually enabling the travel industry to expand and attract more customers, a senior Travelport executive has stated. Speaking at the Travelport Live 2016 in Macau, Niklas Andreen, the company’s global vice president of hospitality, argued that “Uber is a complement to car […]

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Uber is a "complement to car rental", according to Travelport's Niklas Andreen

The so-called “disruptors” of the travel industry, such as Airbnb and Uber, are actually enabling the travel industry to expand and attract more customers, a senior Travelport executive has stated.

Uber is a "complement to car rental", according to Travelport's Niklas Andreen
Uber is a “complement to car rental”, according to Travelport’s Niklas Andreen

Speaking at the Travelport Live 2016 in Macau, Niklas Andreen, the company’s global vice president of hospitality, argued that “Uber is a complement to car rental”, just as Airbnb is to the hotel sector.

These companies, and others like them, are “not a replacement” to traditional providers, Andreen said; instead they have “supplemented the industry and allowed it to grow”. Airbnb has “done a great job” and “allowed people to have new experiences”, he added.

Andreen noted however, that Airbnb is really only taking off in the leisure sector. The accommodation sharing company has launched a corporate travel programme, but Andreen suggested that it is still not being seen as an alternative to hotels, in the eyes of companies or corporate travellers.

“Hotels are geared up to handle corporate travellers,” he said.

Continuing the theme of disruptive influences, Mark Meehan, Travelport’s managing director for Asia Pacific, said that the travel industry will be “subject to constant change and disruption” in the coming years, that companies “can’t be complacent” and need to “foresee change and adapt to it”.

“Creative and innovative thinking… will change our businesses and the way we do business,” he stated.
Running under the theme “Redefining Success”, Travelport’s annual customer conference has gathered 360 industry delegates to Macau for three days of discussions, debates and demonstrations.

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shutterstock_411902611 Uber is a "complement to car rental", according to Travelport's Niklas Andreen
Dubai Tourism partners with Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/dubai-tourism-partners-with-airbnb/ Sun, 22 May 2016 08:20:19 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=236654 The post Dubai Tourism partners with Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing and Airbnb have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help promote responsible hosting and help grow and diversify tourism in the emirate. The MoU follows introduction of enhanced regulations last month that make obtaining a ‘holiday home’ license more streamlined for individual tenants and homeowners who […]

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(Centre right) HE Almarri and (right) Olivier Gremillon, with (left) Sahia Ahmed, general counsel, Dubai Tourism and Nicola D'Elia, general manager - Middle East and Africa, Airbnb (Centre left) at the MoU signing in Dubai
(Centre right) HE Almarri and (right) Olivier Gremillon, with (left) Sahia Ahmed, general counsel, Dubai Tourism and Nicola D’Elia, general manager – Middle East and Africa, Airbnb (Centre left) at the MoU signing in Dubai

Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing and Airbnb have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help promote responsible hosting and help grow and diversify tourism in the emirate.

The MoU follows introduction of enhanced regulations last month that make obtaining a ‘holiday home’ license more streamlined for individual tenants and homeowners who want to rent their homes to guests. The MoU will bolster collaboration between two parties and help enhance and diversify the emirate’s holiday home sector, boosting competition through a safe and transparent holiday home segment.

Under the agreement, Airbnb will cooperate with Dubai Tourism on preventing breaches of the regulation by informing all host members of the Dubai Tourism regulations via its website and through email reminders of rules. The two parties will also explore joint marketing and promotional activations for Dubai as a tourism destination.

Airbnb is an increasingly popular way for guests from around the world to experience Dubai by staying with local hosts. There are almost 3,500 Airbnb listings in Dubai. This number and number of guests choosing Airbnb when traveling to Dubai has doubled since last year.

HE Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai Tourism, said: “In keeping with global demand trends and a highly digitised market place for key enablers of tourism infrastructure, we are pleased to partner with Airbnb, to help promote diverse accommodation options in a safe, secure and controlled manner. This not only lets us be more competitive as a tourism destination but also speaks to our ability as government to drive demand led policy making and embrace innovation to further our proposition.”

Dubai Tourism has upgraded its application portal to facilitate these new license applications, and will shortly allow for all e-commerce payments to be done digitally, making it one of the most progressive destinations to use the system globally.

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Dubai Air (Centre right) HE Almarri and (right) Olivier Gremillon, with (left) Sahia Ahmed, general counsel, Dubai Tourism and Nicola D'Elia, general manager - Middle East and Africa, Airbnb (Centre left) at the MoU signing in Dubai
WTO welcomes Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/wto-welcomes-airbnb/ Thu, 12 May 2016 09:16:13 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=236335 The post WTO welcomes Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb recently announced that it has officially joined the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as an affiliate member. In doing so, Airbnb joins the most influential community of leaders within the travel and tourism sector, including the UNWTO’s 157 member states and over 480 affiliate members from the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local […]

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Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries
Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries

Airbnb recently announced that it has officially joined the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as an affiliate member.

In doing so, Airbnb joins the most influential community of leaders within the travel and tourism sector, including the UNWTO’s 157 member states and over 480 affiliate members from the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

“From Cuba to Cape Town, Airbnb is helping to grow and diversify tourism and democratize its benefits for more families, communities and local businesses,” said Chris Lehane, global head of public affairs at Airbnb. “It’s a sustainable form of tourism that provides transformative travel by allowing people to live like a local. We are excited to work with UNWTO and global leaders to harness the positive impacts of travel to activate new communities and bring the world a little closer together.”

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Airbnb Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries
Airbnb joins tourism community with UNWTO membership https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-joins-tourism-community-with-unwto-membership/ Thu, 12 May 2016 02:39:56 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=236305 The post Airbnb joins tourism community with UNWTO membership appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb was founded in 2008

Airbnb has embraced the mainstream tourism industry, by becoming a member of the UN World Tourism Organization. The membership represents a significant step for both the accommodation sharing company and for the UNWTO, as it reflects the changing nature of the industry. Once considered a disruptive force, Airbnb is now becoming an established player in […]

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Airbnb was founded in 2008
Airbnb was founded in 2008
Airbnb was founded in 2008

Airbnb has embraced the mainstream tourism industry, by becoming a member of the UN World Tourism Organization.

The membership represents a significant step for both the accommodation sharing company and for the UNWTO, as it reflects the changing nature of the industry. Once considered a disruptive force, Airbnb is now becoming an established player in the accommodation sector.

Airbnb joins UNWTO’s 157 member states and 480+ affiliate members, which including private sector companies, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

The company will now participate in the UNWTO seminar on ‘New Business Models’, which is taking place in Lithuania as part of the 60th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe.

“From Cuba to Cape Town, Airbnb is helping to grow and diversify tourism and democratise its benefits for more families, communities and local businesses,” said Chris Lehane, global head of public affairs at Airbnb.

“It’s a sustainable form of tourism that provides transformative travel by allowing people to live like a local. Airbnb guests don’t just go there they live there by staying in the homes of actual people; visiting the real neighbourhoods; and experiencing life the way a local does. We are excited to work with UNWTO and global leaders to harness the positive impacts of travel to activate new communities and bring the world a little closer together.”

Founded in 2008, Airbnb now features short-term rental accommodation in more than 34,000 cities across 191 countries. It has also set up a business travel programme.

“We welcome Airbnb as one of the newest UNWTO affiliate members,” said Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General. “The UNWTO affiliate members’ programme gathers representatives from a wide range of non-governmental organisations and are a key feature of UNWTO work.”

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shutterstock_382912732 Airbnb was founded in 2008
Airbnb makes global push with new app and guidebooks https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-makes-global-push-with-new-app-and-guidebooks/ Wed, 20 Apr 2016 03:33:59 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=235328 The post Airbnb makes global push with new app and guidebooks appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has launched a new app

Airbnb has embarked on a new global campaign aimed at enticing travellers to “live like a local”. Along with the new brand campaign, which launches this week, the accommodation sharing site has revamped its app, which now uses new search technology to match travellers to their destinations, and a new local guidebook series. Airbnb said […]

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Airbnb has launched a new app
Airbnb has launched a new app
Airbnb has launched a new app

Airbnb has embarked on a new global campaign aimed at enticing travellers to “live like a local”.

Along with the new brand campaign, which launches this week, the accommodation sharing site has revamped its app, which now uses new search technology to match travellers to their destinations, and a new local guidebook series.

Airbnb said the new initiatives would “encourage people to change the way they experience the world around them”.

“The number one reason people chose to travel on Airbnb is they want to live like a local. They don’t want to be tourists stuck in long lines, fighting with the crowds to see the same thing as everyone else,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s co-founder & CEO. “Our hosts offer more than just generic hospitality – they welcome travellers from around the world into their communities. Today is the start of an exciting journey to help people not just go somewhere, but truly live there.”

The updated Airbnb mobile app includes a new “matching system”, designed to understand travellers’ preferences and then match them with the accommodation, neighbourhoods and experiences that meet their needs. Having requested this information from the user, the app will then suggest the most relevant results.

The new Guidebooks series meanwhile, has been created by Airbnb hosts and provides local area information and traveller tips about restaurants, bars and other attractions.

Airbnb’s new global campaign, entitled ‘Live There’, will launch today (19 April), featuring a series of TV, online, outdoor and print ads.

Founded in 2008, Airbnb now offers a global collection of more than two million accommodation listings in 134,000 destinations across 190 countries and territories.

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Airbnb App v2 Airbnb has launched a new app
Airbnb partners with Times Group to expand in India https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-partners-with-times-group-to-expand-in-india/ Mon, 18 Apr 2016 03:46:12 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=235243 The post Airbnb partners with Times Group to expand in India appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb now offers a global collection of more than two million accommodation listings

Airbnb has announced a strategic partnership with the Times Group to focus on developing its Indian market. The Times of India reports that the Times Group will now help Airbnb create a localised presence in India, as well as promoting its accommodation. “We are excited to partner with Airbnb to transform the way Indians travel. […]

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Airbnb now offers a global collection of more than two million accommodation listings
Airbnb now offers a global collection of more than two million accommodation listings
Airbnb now offers a global collection of more than two million accommodation listings

Airbnb has announced a strategic partnership with the Times Group to focus on developing its Indian market.

The Times of India reports that the Times Group will now help Airbnb create a localised presence in India, as well as promoting its accommodation.

“We are excited to partner with Airbnb to transform the way Indians travel. As a personal user, I’ve found that Airbnb has brought a new dimension of convenience, value, and uniqueness to travel. We look forward to working closely with Airbnb to evangelise community-driven hospitality,” theTimes Group’s Satyan Gajwani, was quoted saying.

Nathan Blecharczyk, co-founder & CTO of Airbnb, added; “We are excited about the opportunity that India presents, and to have one of the most respected partners in the Times Group. We are working on adapting our product for the Indian market so that Indian travellers can live like a local anywhere in the world.”

Airbnb now offers a global collection of more than two million accommodation listings in 134,000 destinations across 190 countries and territories.

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Airbnb India Airbnb now offers a global collection of more than two million accommodation listings
Airbnb launches Cuba booking incentive https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-launches-cuba-booking-incentive/ Wed, 06 Apr 2016 11:31:11 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=234826 The post Airbnb launches Cuba booking incentive appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

In celebration of its one-year anniversary since launching its platform in Cuba, Airbnb, is gifting up to $500 (£355) to first-time guests in Cuba. Airbnb is offering the incentive (per booking) to the first 100 guests to book an Airbnb in Cuba before 30 April for travel this month. Winning guests will be notified via email […]

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In celebration of its one-year anniversary since launching its platform in Cuba, Airbnb, is gifting up to $500 (£355) to first-time guests in Cuba.

Airbnb is offering the incentive (per booking) to the first 100 guests to book an Airbnb in Cuba before 30 April for travel this month.

Winning guests will be notified via email of their gifted stay within 3-5 business days of their booking date, based on availability.

To be eligible, travellers must be visiting Cuba on Airbnb for the first time. They must also book and complete their stay by 30 April. Eligible bookings must be of groups of five travellers or less.

 

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Is Airbnb affecting hotels in Sydney? New report reveals the truth… https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/is-airbnb-affecting-hotels-in-sydney-new-report-reveals-the-truth/ Wed, 30 Mar 2016 06:33:06 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=234496 The post Is Airbnb affecting hotels in Sydney? New report reveals the truth… appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Sydney's hotels were 85% full in 2015

Airbnb’s presence in Sydney is growing, but it does not appear to be having a significant impact on the city’s hotel performance, a new report has revealed. STR this week revealed the results of its analysis of the Sydney accommodation sector, comparing its own hotel performance figures with data obtained from Inside Airbnb, a third […]

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The post Is Airbnb affecting hotels in Sydney? New report reveals the truth… appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Sydney's hotels were 85% full in 2015
Sydney's hotels were 85% full in 2015
Sydney’s hotels were 85% full in 2015

Airbnb’s presence in Sydney is growing, but it does not appear to be having a significant impact on the city’s hotel performance, a new report has revealed.

STR this week revealed the results of its analysis of the Sydney accommodation sector, comparing its own hotel performance figures with data obtained from Inside Airbnb, a third party company that pulls information from Airbnb’s website.

And as with a recent analysis of Airbnb’s impact on the New York hotel sector, STR found that the mainstream accommodation sector has not been greatly affected by Airbnb’s presence in the market. It did state however, that Airbnb appears to be benefitting from a lack of available hotels outside the city centre.

“Our international experience says that in general, Airbnb units are more prominent as a percentage in suburban locations,” said Matthew Burke, STR’s business development manager for the Pacific region.

“The location of hotel and Airbnb listings may also talk to the traditional nature of travel, be it for work or leisure. As consumers become more intrigued by ‘living like a local’ in the suburbs with sufficient amenities, Airbnb rentals may become a more desired source of location for both leisure and business travellers.”

There are 16,149 Airbnb units listed in Sydney (image by d8nn)
There are 16,149 Airbnb units listed in Sydney (image by d8nn)

As of 3 January 2016, Inside Airbnb listed 16,149 Airbnb units in Sydney. Sixty-one percent of these were entire homes or apartment units, while 38% were private rooms and 1% shared rooms.

STR’s analysis only accounted for listings that could be considered competitive with traditional hotel rooms, narrowing the sample size of 5,385 listings. For year-end 2015, Sydney’s hotel market featured 39,096 rooms across 358 properties.

In terms of price distribution, 50% of hotel units had an ADR below AU$200 (approx. US$151), compared with 54% for Airbnb. The majority of Airbnb listings fell between the AU$100-148 range. For traditional hotels, most available rooms fell into the AU$150-199 range.

Sydney’s hotels finished 2015 with an occupancy level of 85.3%, a 4.4% increase compared to 2014.

And STR noted that while Airbnb’s impact in Sydney isn’t strong at present, it could increase if the city’s hotel  occupancy and ADR remain high.

“Hoteliers, with continued high occupancy levels being forecasted, are focused on rate growth, which may cause consumer price ceilings to bring Airbnb forward as an option,” Burke said. “To date, hoteliers are continuing to see their occupancies grow. But that growth is slowing with a majority occurring outside of the central business district.”

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shutterstock_372127591 Sydney's hotels were 85% full in 2015 Airbnb There are 16,149 Airbnb units listed in Sydney (image by d8nn)
Thomas Cook India to offer Airbnb accommodation https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/thomas-cook-india-to-offer-airbnb-accommodation/ Tue, 16 Feb 2016 07:20:23 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=232764 The post Thomas Cook India to offer Airbnb accommodation appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Thomas Cook India has partnered Airbnb for a pilot project that will look at offering accommodation to the company’s outbound travellers. The new agreement will offer Indians travelling overseas “access to a range of unique accommodation experiences at a variety of price points”, according to Thomas Cook India. The travel company cited its own internal […]

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Photo by d8nn/Shutterstock
Photo by d8nn/Shutterstock

Thomas Cook India has partnered Airbnb for a pilot project that will look at offering accommodation to the company’s outbound travellers.

The new agreement will offer Indians travelling overseas “access to a range of unique accommodation experiences at a variety of price points”, according to Thomas Cook India.

The travel company cited its own internal research which found that more than 25% of its individual travellers have stated a growing preference towards “authentic local stays” and a desire for “deeper engagement and an immersion into the destination”.

“The Indian traveller is evolving rapidly and for many, standard stays no longer find favour. Our partnership with Airbnb for outbound Indian travellers aims to address this viable and yet untapped market need,” said Madhavan Menon, chairman & managing director of Thomas Cook India.

“Our strategic focus is to target high potential growth opportunities via innovation in products and partnerships and our tie-up with Airbnb reiterates delivery of this intent.”

Varsha Rao, head of Airbnb’s global operations, commented; “We are excited to work with a leader in India’s travel market to give Indian travellers the opportunity to have unique and truly authentic local experiences by staying in one of our more than two million properties around the world.”

Thomas Cook India said the tie-up with Airbnb could offer a variety of accommodation types, including “apartments, private rooms, castles, boats, manors, tree-houses and private islands”.

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Airbnb mobile
Airbnb has “no adverse effects” on hotels – report https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-has-no-adverse-effects-on-hotels-report/ Mon, 15 Feb 2016 03:17:24 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=232689 The post Airbnb has “no adverse effects” on hotels – report appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The report studied hotel performance in Manhattan

An independent study into the impact of Airbnb on the hotel industry in Manhattan has shown that there is “no evidence” of the shared accommodation company having a negative impact on occupancy or rates. Conducted by hotel analysts STR, the report compared data provided by Airbnb with STR’s own figures for hotel performance in Manhattan. […]

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The report studied hotel performance in Manhattan

An independent study into the impact of Airbnb on the hotel industry in Manhattan has shown that there is “no evidence” of the shared accommodation company having a negative impact on occupancy or rates.

Conducted by hotel analysts STR, the report compared data provided by Airbnb with STR’s own figures for hotel performance in Manhattan. It used only the Airbnb units (private rooms and entire homes) considered most comparable to hotel rooms, and compared them to daily hotel data between 1 December 2013 and 30 November 2015.

The report studied hotel performance in Manhattan
The report studied hotel performance in Manhattan

Analysis of the supply, demand and revenue figures revealed that during periods of strong demand for Airbnb units, there was “no pattern of adverse effects on hotel occupancy or average daily rate (ADR)”. There was also “no evidence” that every room occupied by an Airbnb guest is a room subtracted from hotel occupancy.

And significant, occupancy levels for Manhattan hotels indicate that there is a large amount of unaccommodated demand.

“We requested the data from Airbnb to examine an important topic being discussed throughout the hotel industry,” said Amanda Hite, STR’s president & chief operating officer.

“We wanted to compare data for both sides to give hoteliers a true picture of Airbnb’s effect. The results did not show Airbnb’s growth to have a severe impact on hotel performance, as many in the industry believe.”

Ms Hite added that “continued analysis to understand the key performance indicators of the hotel industry and other paid accommodations will be crucial to further understand the operating environment.”

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shutterstock_152041844 The report studied hotel performance in Manhattan
NYE ‘most stressful time’ for Brits https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/nye-most-stressful-time-for-brits/ Mon, 21 Dec 2015 23:04:02 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=230816 The post NYE ‘most stressful time’ for Brits appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

In a survey of 1000 Brits more than 20% agreed that New Year’s Eve was the most stressful time of year, more so than Valentine’s Day or their partner’s birthday.  The airbnb report found that more than two thirds of stressed out Brits (83%) want to get away this year, with a third (28%) keen […]

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In a survey of 1000 Brits more than 20% agreed that New Year’s Eve was the most stressful time of year, more so than Valentine’s Day or their partner’s birthday. 

London's New Year's Eve fireworks.
London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks.

The airbnb report found that more than two thirds of stressed out Brits (83%) want to get away this year, with a third (28%) keen to get as far away from home as possible, explaining why Londoners are finding a home away from home on the other side of the world this New Year’s Eve, with Sydney ranking above any other destination.

But out of those not going Down Under this year, there are already 10,500 people booked into cabins in the woods on Airbnb, 100 to private islands and 20 brave people are heading to igloos to welcome in 2016.

A third (32%) of Brits are planning on spending the night with a group of friends, 41% with their families and over half (51%) with their partner. Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, Kauai in Hawaii, and Hamburg, Germany are the places topping the list for global users escaping with their significant other.

James McClure, general manager Airbnb UK and Ireland said: “New Year’s Eve can be a stressful time of year and sometimes by the time Christmas is over people can feel that they need another holiday, so we’re not surprised that we experienced our highest number of guests ever on December 31st last year. This New Year’s Eve we’re expecting over a million people to stay in Airbnbs across the globe, more than double the number of guests that we saw on the same night in 2015.”

 

Last year more than 550,000 people stayed in Airbnbs on New Year’s Eve across 190 countries.  On the night itself 91,000 were new guests using Airbnb for the first time, 22,000 were new hosts opening their home to visitors.

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London fireworks web London.
Airbnb releases UK booking data https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-releases-uk-booking-data/ Fri, 04 Dec 2015 16:47:06 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=230174 The post Airbnb releases UK booking data appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

  Airbnb has released a new report that shows 2.2 million guests used the holiday accommodation booking system to visit the UK in the past year, and 3.1 million UK residents used Airbnb for their travels. In the UK, 52,500 hosts shared their homes in the past year. The typical host earned £2,000 by sharing […]

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Airbnb has released a new report that shows 2.2 million guests used the holiday accommodation booking system to visit the UK in the past year, and 3.1 million UK residents used Airbnb for their travels.

In the UK, 52,500 hosts shared their homes in the past year. The typical host earned £2,000 by sharing their homes for 46 nights a year.

According to the report, 85% of Airbnb guests choose Airbnb to ‘live like a local’ in communities beyond the tourist hotspots. This spread economic benefits beyond city centres and tourist hotspots.

More than a third of UK hosts earn below the median household income, and almost half rely on the income they make by sharing their homes to make ends meet.

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Hostel sector booming worldwide, says new study https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/hostel-sector-booming-worldwide-says-new-study/ Sat, 21 Nov 2015 12:12:53 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=229612 The post Hostel sector booming worldwide, says new study appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

  The global growth of the budget and hostel sectors, including the fast-emerging commercialised private rental market such as Airbnb, is set to continue as the consumer increasingly values experience over formality and is highly influenced by social media in the choices they make, claims a new report by HVS. According to the study, the […]

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The global growth of the budget and hostel sectors, including the fast-emerging commercialised private rental market such as Airbnb, is set to continue as the consumer increasingly values experience over formality and is highly influenced by social media in the choices they make, claims a new report by HVS.

According to the study, the biggest users of budget accommodation are accustomed to booking through their smart phones, either direct or through online travel agents. This sector is starting to shape part of a  ‘sharing economy’ whereby consumers value access to rather than ownership of goods and services.

As a result of this movement online sales of hotel accommodation through intermediaries such as OTAs as well as direct sales are forecast to continue growing, bridging the gap between guests and smaller independent hotels. Offline sales, as a percentage of total sales, are forecast to continue decreasing, confirming the importance of an effective online presence.

“There are now signs that rather than consolidating the larger hotel groups’ positions, the proliferation of OTAs is fragmenting the market, which may benefit smaller operators who can crowd together,” said report author Harry Douglass.

“The industry is embracing technology to make sales from the ‘now generation’, a consumer group that makes instant hotel decisions, often based purely on online peer to peer platforms such as Facebook and Twitter which have become the new ‘word of mouth’.”

The report, entitled The Budget Hotel Sector’s Position in the Sharing Economy, studies the private rentals market across eight European countries. It reveals the budget and hostel sector has grown from about 8% of the market in 2008, to 10% in 2014. This share is forecast to increase to around 12% by 2017, particularly as the sector gains recognition in new and emerging markets.

“This expansion is also shown to capture market share from the chain hotels. Hyatt Hotels recent purchase of a stake in Lifealike Ltd demonstrates the hotel industry’s increasing acceptance of the necessity to take a position in the peer-to-peer distribution market,” added Douglass.

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Airbnb’s market share surges in London https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnbs-market-share-surges-in-london/ Sun, 08 Nov 2015 11:10:59 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=228998 The post Airbnb’s market share surges in London appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb continues to gain market share in London and the South-East, according to a new report published by STR Global.  “Across Europe, alternative accommodations are not a new phenomenon; pensions, pub accommodation, hostels and family stays have long existed,” said Elizabeth Winkle, STR Global’s managing director. “What has changed is the distribution platform providing an […]

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Airbnb continues to gain market share in London and the South-East, according to a new report published by STR Global. 

Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries
Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries

“Across Europe, alternative accommodations are not a new phenomenon; pensions, pub accommodation, hostels and family stays have long existed,” said Elizabeth Winkle, STR Global’s managing director.

“What has changed is the distribution platform providing an accommodation owner the means to easily and seamlessly list and let their property (or properties) connect to guests. Airbnb is one of the most recognizable of these ‘peer-to-peer’ or ‘rental-by-owner’ companies, and its inventory continues to increase across the globe.”

STR Global’s analysis also showed Airbnb’s inventory to vary by borough in London, and on average, rates for Airbnb units to be higher than those of hotels in London. STR’s and Airbnb’s market definitions of London include some locations outside of the boroughs, but for the purpose of the analysis, all properties not in the boroughs were excluded.

As of 3 September, Inside Airbnb listed 25,361 Airbnb units in London, 52.6% of which were entire home/apartment units. The remaining Airbnb inventory in the market comprised 45.8% private room and 1.6% shared room.

Based on criteria such as type of unit, date of last review, total reviews and other miscellaneous factors, STR Global narrowed the sample of Airbnb listings to units competitive with traditional hotel rooms.

With those criteria in place, STR Global showed an estimated 11,000 Airbnb listings in London, compared to some 134,000 hotel rooms in the London boroughs. Provided all Airbnb listings and hotel rooms are available the same number of nights, that gives Airbnb a roughly 8% share of the market. The study does note, however, that Airbnb listings and hotels are often not available the same amount of nights.

When looking at the overall number of hotel rooms and Airbnb listings by borough, Westminster holds 27% of all London hotel rooms and 17% of all Airbnb listings. The three largest boroughs (Westminster, Camden, and Kensington and Chelsea) combine to hold 51% of London’s hotel supply and 38% of Airbnb’s listings. Notably, 11% of Airbnb’s London listings are in Hackney, while only 1% of hotels reside in the borough.

In terms of listing share by borough, Lewisham holds the largest share of Airbnb listings, with 49% Airbnb listings and 51% hotel rooms in the borough. Hackney also has a large portion of Airbnb listings at 42% of all rooms in the borough. In 20 of the 33 London boroughs, the ratio of Airbnb units to hotel rooms is around or less than 5%.

Airbnb units are offered at a wide variety of price points. In 22 of the 25 boroughs with sufficient rate information, the average Airbnb rate is higher than the prevailing hotel average daily rate. Conversely, the hotel ADR in Westminster is GBP42.00 higher than the Airbnb average rate. Hackney and Lambeth, the other two boroughs with higher hotels rates, show hotel ADRs of GBP16.00 more than the Airbnb average listing price.

The distribution of hotel rooms and Airbnb listings by price follows a similar pattern with the bulk of the listings around the low to mid-priced options. The majority of hotel rooms and Airbnb listings fall in the GBP100.00 to GBP199.00 price range with 45,000 hotel rooms (46% of all hotel rooms) and 5,800 Airbnb listings (52% of all Airbnb listings).

Airbnb’s largest share of total accommodations falls in the GBP300.00 to GBP399.00 price range with 12% of all listings/rooms. Airbnb’s share of total accommodations is reduced to 3% for the less than GBP50.00 and more than GBP500.00 price buckets.

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Airbnb Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries
ITB Asia eyes high-tech future of travel https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/itb-asia-eyes-high-tech-future-of-travel/ Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:29:44 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=228198 The post ITB Asia eyes high-tech future of travel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The opening panel included input from Expedia, Airbnb and the WTTC

This year’s ITB Asia, which kicked off in Singapore on Wednesday, is focusing on the rapid rise of travel technology and the shared economy. The annual travel trade show has experienced an 80% jump in travel technology exhibitors this year. And this tech focus was demonstrated at the event’s opening press conference, where, breaking from […]

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The opening panel included input from Expedia, Airbnb and the WTTC
The opening panel included input from Expedia, Airbnb and the WTTC
The opening panel included input from Expedia, Airbnb and the WTTC

This year’s ITB Asia, which kicked off in Singapore on Wednesday, is focusing on the rapid rise of travel technology and the shared economy.

The annual travel trade show has experienced an 80% jump in travel technology exhibitors this year. And this tech focus was demonstrated at the event’s opening press conference, where, breaking from tradition, the event’s organiser Messe Berlin was joined by Expedia and Airbnb for a panel discussion.

Addressing the media, Dr Michael Frenzel, chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), predicted significant shifts in the way technology is used to book travel.

Describing the current online booking process as “boring”, Dr Frenzel envisaged a future of “intelligent apps that are able to communicate with customers like humans”. Technologies such as these, he stated, will “change the industry”.

“The industry needs to stay innovative, making use of the latest travel technology and the opportunities provided by digitalization,” said Dr Frenzel. “Products and services need to be available online, even bookable via mobile devices and the tourism industry has to actively engage social media and stay in touch with travellers throughout the customer journey.”

Also on the panel, Mieke De Schepper, Expedia’s vice president of Asia Pacific, said that the key to future technological developments is harnessing “the power of now” – allowing customers and businesses to have real-time data at their fingertips. Echoing Dr Frenzel’s sentiments, Ms de Schepper predicted the rise of AI voice-based search technology, which adapt to user preferences.

All delegates at the press briefing highlighted Asia as the region that has the most potential for mobile technology. Julian Persaud, Airbnb’s regional director for Asia Pacific, said that his company has “twice the conversion rate” (on mobile devices) in Asia compared to the rest of the world. He added that Asia is “underpinning a lot of [Airbnb’s] growth.”

Ms de Schepper also revealed that Expedia’s mobile booking lead times are longer in Asia than anywhere else in the world, a statistic she attributed to many Asian travellers only using mobile devices, rather than a combination of mobile and desktop.

“ITB Asia is a platform where the travel industry comes together to create, build and introduce new ideas. We understand the importance of keeping our delegates one step ahead and it is gratifying to have attracted the best-in-class who will share more details on overcoming obstacles and forging successes to grow in this market. With more than 150 forward-thinking speakers of the highest calibre providing visionary keynotes, insightful discussions and experience-led case studies, we aim to help delegates navigate into the next level of their businesses,” Göke concluded.

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20151021_120148 The opening panel included input from Expedia, Airbnb and the WTTC
ITB Asia expands global reach with new exhibitors https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/itb-asia-expands-global-reach-with-new-exhibitors/ Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:24:40 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=228196 The post ITB Asia expands global reach with new exhibitors appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

ITB Asia 2015 opening on Wednesday

ITB Asia returned to Singapore this week, with several countries exhibiting at the event for the first time. This year’s event, which takes place at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands from 21-23 October 2015, will welcome almost 760 exhibitors from 73 countries. And for the first time, ITB Asia 2015 will include exhibitors from Iceland, Laos, […]

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ITB Asia 2015 opening on Wednesday
ITB Asia 2015 opening on Wednesday
ITB Asia 2015 opened on Wednesday

ITB Asia returned to Singapore this week, with several countries exhibiting at the event for the first time.

This year’s event, which takes place at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands from 21-23 October 2015, will welcome almost 760 exhibitors from 73 countries. And for the first time, ITB Asia 2015 will include exhibitors from Iceland, Laos, Azerbaijan, Lithuania and Portugal.

Other countries have significantly expanded their booth space, with Egypt doubling its presence and the Philippines (+69%) and India (+50%) also enhancing their displays.

Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin, organiser of ITB Asia, said this year’s event will see the “strongest US contingent” in the event’s eight-year history. He also noted the increased presence of Chinese exhibitors, “mainly from the private and technology sectors”.

In total, ITB Asia now covers 15,000m² of floor space at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

“Our main KPI is the amount of booth space sold,” Goke told reporters at the opening press briefing on Wednesday. “This is the best indicator of trust from exhibitors. Even more telling is the number of exhibitors coming back to [ITB Asia] after a few years away,” he added, referencing countries like Jordan and the Maldives.

This year’s 760 exhibitors will meet with almost 880 buyers for three days of face-to-face appointments.

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Front cover pic ITB Asia 2015 opened on Wednesday
Serviced apartment sector starts to embrace Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/serviced-apartment-sector-starts-to-embrace-airbnb/ Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:10:01 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=227318 The post Serviced apartment sector starts to embrace Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Serviced apartment companies and Airbnb operate under a similar model, according to Ryan

The serviced apartment sector is considering new partnerships with “shared economy” companies like Airbnb, a senior industry executive has told Travel Daily. Speaking in Bangkok on Tuesday, Oakwood Worldwide’s managing director for Asia Pacific, Craig Ryan, revealed that his company is talking to Airbnb and other apartment rental sites. “We’re already in discussions with most […]

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Serviced apartment companies and Airbnb operate under a similar model, according to Ryan

The serviced apartment sector is considering new partnerships with “shared economy” companies like Airbnb, a senior industry executive has told Travel Daily.

Speaking in Bangkok on Tuesday, Oakwood Worldwide’s managing director for Asia Pacific, Craig Ryan, revealed that his company is talking to Airbnb and other apartment rental sites.

Serviced apartment companies and Airbnb operate under a similar model, according to Ryan
Airbnb is “brings more product in cities”, according to Ryan

“We’re already in discussions with most shared economies, including Airbnb,” Ryan told Travel Daily. These discussions are on “two fronts”, he added, including  using sites like Airbnb as a means of distributing Oakwood serviced apartments, as well as developing new products.

“We’re… engaged in other discussions with another provider, relating to a partnership that leverages the product that they have [and] may work as an alternative product offering,” Ryan said. “I wouldn’t [divulge the company] at the moment, because it’s at early stages, but it’s an interesting conversation to have,” he added.

Ryan noted that such partnerships are now being looked at across the serviced apartment sector. For example Capitaland, which owns Ascott, is investing in Tujia, the Chinese equivalent of Airbnb.

And Ryan believes these tie-ups are being driven by the similarities between the products offered by shared economy companies and the serviced apartment sector.

“Airbnb [offers] apartment living with a localised feel. They’re offering a model of choice, they’re offering apartments in locations that are typically outside of the hotel zone – it’s very much what we do,” Ryan said. “If you look at the corporate housing market in the US, we go out and lease apartments within a building. To use Los Angeles as an example, we’re represented in the better part of 50 locations, so it’s a similar type of scenario as Airbnb.”

Craig Ryan
Craig Ryan

And the serviced apartment and shared economy sectors look set to grow even closer in future, as companies like Airbnb launch their own corporate travel programmes. Within 24 hours of its launch, Airbnb for Business had signed up 500 companies, including Google.

But Ryan warned that there is still a high degree of caution amongst many companies with regards to including Airbnb in their corporate travel policies.

“The question that comes about… is the safety and security of guests. They’re going into private homes, and while there is a rating system, Airbnb have limited ability to apply due diligence, which obviously creates concerns,” Ryan said, comparing the situation to Oakwood Worldwide’s extensive programme of checks and inspections that are necessary before a property is approved.

“But,” he added, “credit to the shared economy and particularly to Airbnb; they’ve been very active in pushing governments to develop guidelines for the industry.”

On the whole, Ryan said he believes that Airbnb is having a positive influence on the industry.

“It’s pushing us to think outside the box. It’s a good thing for the consumer; it brings more product in cities that may be restricted. And because of the price point it may be even encouraging more people to travel,” Ryan asserted. “Airbnb is here to stay. We encourage further focus on the accommodation sector as a whole, and if more people are travelling then every sector of the market will get their share.”

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Oakwood Airbnb is "brings more product in cities", according to Ryan Craig Ryan Craig Ryan
Airbnb expands in business travel sector https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-expands-in-business-travel-sector/ Mon, 24 Aug 2015 04:31:32 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=225925 The post Airbnb expands in business travel sector appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries

Airbnb is ramping up its presence in the corporate travel sector. The accommodation rental site revealed that it signed 500 new companies to its ‘Airbnb for Business’ programme within 24 hours of launching a new global travel management suite on 20 July 2015. There are now more than 1,000 businesses from 35+ countries which have […]

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Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries
Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries
Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries

Airbnb is ramping up its presence in the corporate travel sector.

The accommodation rental site revealed that it signed 500 new companies to its ‘Airbnb for Business’ programme within 24 hours of launching a new global travel management suite on 20 July 2015.

There are now more than 1,000 businesses from 35+ countries which have made Airbnb part of their corporate travel programmes, including Google.

“The corporate community’s response to our business travel programme has been staggering and confirms our findings that business travelers increasingly want to redefine the business trip,” said Marc McCabe, business travel lead at Airbnb.

“The average business travel stay on Airbnb is 6.8 days, which shows how customers are looking for a mix of business and leisure, and often adding a weekend to explore a new destination.”

Airbnb for Business allows business travellers to directly book accommodation via Airbnb and automatically expense it back to their employers. The recently introduced suite of travel management tools gives travel managers a view of their employees’ travel itineraries, financial reporting data and centralised billing.

Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries.

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Airbnb Airbnb now offers accommodation in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries
Airbnb named partner of Edinburgh Fringe https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-named-partner-of-edinburgh-fringe/ Tue, 26 May 2015 12:52:46 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=222208 The post Airbnb named partner of Edinburgh Fringe appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Airbnb has been named an Official Accommodation Partner of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015.  The region has seen impressive growth recently with a 300% increase in guests staying through Airbnb, and 87% more hosts year-on-year. The annual Fringe brings a huge influx of performers and spectators to the city, who all need a place to stay. James McClure, UK GM of […]

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Airbnb has been named an Official Accommodation Partner of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015. 

Airbnb has been named a partner of this year's Edinburgh Fringe.
Airbnb has been named a partner of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

The region has seen impressive growth recently with a 300% increase in guests staying through Airbnb, and 87% more hosts year-on-year. The annual Fringe brings a huge influx of performers and spectators to the city, who all need a place to stay.

James McClure, UK GM of Airbnb, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015 and officially bring home sharing to this year’s event. With visitors arriving from around the world, Edinburgh will become home to tens of thousands of people over the course of the festival, all looking to experience true Scottish hospitality and explore the beautiful city.”

As an official partner, Airbnb plans to arrange exclusive activities and experiences for its guests at this year’s event.

The full programme for the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe is launched on Thursday 4 June.

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airbnb Airbnb has been named a partner of this year's Edinburgh Fringe.
Hotel-style dynamic pricing launched for Airbnb https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/hotel-style-dynamic-pricing-launched-for-airbnb/ Thu, 07 May 2015 08:03:20 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=221515 The post Hotel-style dynamic pricing launched for Airbnb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

airbnb

A new dynamic pricing platform has been launched for short-term rental companies, including Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway. PriceMethod, which is headquartered in San Francisco, has initially launched in 60 markets across the US. It claims that its software can help vacation rental owners increase their revenue by 20-40%, by helping hosts charge more during periods […]

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airbnb
Airbnb is one of the short-term rental sites connected to PriceMethod's technology
Airbnb is one of the short-term rental sites connected to PriceMethod’s technology

A new dynamic pricing platform has been launched for short-term rental companies, including Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway.

PriceMethod, which is headquartered in San Francisco, has initially launched in 60 markets across the US. It claims that its software can help vacation rental owners increase their revenue by 20-40%, by helping hosts charge more during periods of high demand, and capturing more bookings during off-peak times.

“Most hosts we speak to realise that they should be optimising their pricing, but very few realise just how much money they’re leaving on the table,” said Joe Fraiman, founder & chief operating officer of PriceMethod. “Optimising pricing is the number one thing a host can do to increase their revenue.”

Hotels have operated this way for many years, but until now the peer-to-peer rental market hasn’t been able follow suit. In this way, Fraiman said that PriceMethod is “trying to level the playing field” by offering private rentals the same kind of software as hotels.

PriceMethod’s software works by using algorithms to collect and analyse more than 500 million data points, to recommend the best prices for each property each night. Rental owners can then connect their Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway account to see their ideal price for each night, and update the price on their listing.

PriceMethod has also established a partnership with Tripping.com, the vacation rental search engine that aggregates over 2.5m properties worldwide.

“We find it beneficial to pair PriceMethod’s data analytics with the pricing data and search trends that we currently observe,” said Jen O’Neal, Tripping.com’s CEO & founder. “The more trends we can identify and analyse together, the more we can lead the industry by helping our partners, hosts, and guests alike.”

While PriceMethod is currently only available in the US, the company said is “expanding aggressively”.

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Airbnb
Personalisation is the key for UAE hotels https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/personalisation-is-the-key-for-uae-hotels/ Thu, 12 Mar 2015 08:08:41 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=219271 The post Personalisation is the key for UAE hotels appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

A recent report published by Grant Thornton on ‘Hotels 2020: Welcoming Tomorrow’s Guests’ highlights the need for hotels to get more personalised with their guests. The report suggested that hotels must put mobile technology at the centre of their customer experience, where services such as AirBnB are challenging traditional business model. Hisham Farouk, CEO of […]

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Research provides tips for hotel guests in future
Research provides tips for hotel guests in future

A recent report published by Grant Thornton on ‘Hotels 2020: Welcoming Tomorrow’s Guests’ highlights the need for hotels to get more personalised with their guests.

The report suggested that hotels must put mobile technology at the centre of their customer experience, where services such as AirBnB are challenging traditional business model.

Hisham Farouk, CEO of Grant Thornton UAE said: “Over the past decade the UAE has rewritten the rule book and set the standard for innovation in the global hotel and hospitality sector. Hoteliers in the UAE must act now to embrace new technologies and adapt to changing customer demands. They must differentiate themselves by making a reality of mass personalisation – while also keeping a human touch.”

A key driver of ‘personalisation’ trend has been increasing spending power of millennials. This demographic group are set to outspend baby boomers in hotels by 2017 and expect increasingly tailored services, such as mobile room customisation and special in-app offers. With number of Chinese tourists alone expected to double to over 200 million by 2020, rising numbers of travellers from emerging markets also means hotels need to change their services to cater for new needs and preferences.

The other highlights of the report are that the hotel industry has been lagging behind other industries when it comes to mobile personalisation. The report presents the need for hotels to consider apps that personalise elements of a guest experience.

While there is a need to adopt technology more personally, hotels must also be mindful of how much data is likely to be shared by guests.

Hisham Farouk concluded saying: “The trends highlighted need to be taken into consideration by UAE hoteliers as competition increases with emergence of mid-tier and affordable hotels.”

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Hotels mass Research provides tips for hotel guests in future
Airbnb联姻支付宝 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnblianyinzhifubao/ Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:29:10 +0000 http://www.traveldailychina.com/?p=6815 The post Airbnb联姻支付宝 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

环球旅讯消息,除了与支付宝联姻,Airbnb还与阿里系的另一大旅行社区穷游牵手。在登陆方式上也增加了新浪微博账号登录功能。 继Stripe和Uber支持支付宝之后,全球旅行房屋租赁社区Airbnb也加入了的他们的行列。 从今年夏天开始,Airbnb逐渐向IP地址来自中国的用户开放支付宝服务。Airbnb全球支付负责人 Lex Bayer表示Airbnb不断加强与支付宝合作的原因是,Airbnb需要双币信用卡或Paypal账户支付方式让很多中国用户无法使用Airbnb的服务。 Bayer透露,Airbnb的中国用户同比增长250%。在 Airbnb上线支付宝支付功能后,60%的中国旅行者选择用支付宝支付。 因此,Airbnb在落地时积极采取了本地化的措施。除了与支付宝联姻,Airbnb还与阿里系的另一大旅行社区穷游牵手,共同合作推出旅行手册,为穷游用户提供Airbnb预订入口等。在登陆方式上也增加了新浪微博账号登录功能。 Airbnb相当重视中国市场。首席技术官内森·布来扎兹克在接受采访时表示: 我们只专注于国际市场,就是指中国的旅行者,去往国外旅游,这是个很大的市场,2012年,中国人在海外消费1000亿,是全球最大的消费者,在未来5年,这一数字有望翻一番,所以非常重要。 目前Airbnb用户遍布190个国家近34000个城市,发布的房屋租赁信息达到5万条。在刚刚过去的夏天,Airbnb创下了一个新的记录,即某个晚上,有超过40万人通过Airbnb网站预订,居住在别人的家中。

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airbnb
airbnb

环球旅讯消息,除了与支付宝联姻,Airbnb还与阿里系的另一大旅行社区穷游牵手。在登陆方式上也增加了新浪微博账号登录功能。

继Stripe和Uber支持支付宝之后,全球旅行房屋租赁社区Airbnb也加入了的他们的行列。

从今年夏天开始,Airbnb逐渐向IP地址来自中国的用户开放支付宝服务。Airbnb全球支付负责人 Lex Bayer表示Airbnb不断加强与支付宝合作的原因是,Airbnb需要双币信用卡或Paypal账户支付方式让很多中国用户无法使用Airbnb的服务。

Bayer透露,Airbnb的中国用户同比增长250%。在 Airbnb上线支付宝支付功能后,60%的中国旅行者选择用支付宝支付。

因此,Airbnb在落地时积极采取了本地化的措施。除了与支付宝联姻,Airbnb还与阿里系的另一大旅行社区穷游牵手,共同合作推出旅行手册,为穷游用户提供Airbnb预订入口等。在登陆方式上也增加了新浪微博账号登录功能。

Airbnb相当重视中国市场。首席技术官内森·布来扎兹克在接受采访时表示:

我们只专注于国际市场,就是指中国的旅行者,去往国外旅游,这是个很大的市场,2012年,中国人在海外消费1000亿,是全球最大的消费者,在未来5年,这一数字有望翻一番,所以非常重要。

目前Airbnb用户遍布190个国家近34000个城市,发布的房屋租赁信息达到5万条。在刚刚过去的夏天,Airbnb创下了一个新的记录,即某个晚上,有超过40万人通过Airbnb网站预订,居住在别人的家中。

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Analysts predict Airbnb overtaking hotels https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/analysts-predict-airbnb-overtaking-hotels/ Wed, 21 Jan 2015 10:21:28 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=217295 The post Analysts predict Airbnb overtaking hotels appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Hotel bookings could be overtaken by Airbnb room bookings in the next few years, according to research published by Barclays. Barclays European leisure analyst Vicki Stern highlighted that there are already more than one million rooms on the Airbnb platform. Airbnb’s current bookings are about 37 million room-nights per year and are expanding rapidly. The […]

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Hotel bookings could be overtaken by Airbnb room bookings in the next few years, according to research published by Barclays.

Airbnb represents 17% of room supply in New York.
Airbnb represents 17% of room supply in New York.

Barclays European leisure analyst Vicki Stern highlighted that there are already more than one million rooms on the Airbnb platform.

Airbnb’s current bookings are about 37 million room-nights per year and are expanding rapidly.

The report also highlights that Airbnb currently represents more than 17% of hotel room supply in New York and more than 10% in London.

 

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Airbnb Airbnb represents 17% of room supply in New York.
The latest industry appointments. https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/the-latest-industry-appointments-141/ Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:34:36 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=217112 The post The latest industry appointments. appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Sarah Weetman has been promoted to head of trade sales at All Leisure Group. Weetman was previously group trade marketing manager at the group from 2012 and will now aim to boost its agency sales. She started her careers at Page & Moy in 1998 and also worked at International Cruise & Excursions. Maria Ersmaker […]

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Maria Ersmaker has joined Hurtigruten
Maria Ersmaker has joined Hurtigruten

Sarah Weetman has been promoted to head of trade sales at All Leisure Group. Weetman was previously group trade marketing manager at the group from 2012 and will now aim to boost its agency sales. She started her careers at Page & Moy in 1998 and also worked at International Cruise & Excursions.

Maria Ersmaker has been named regional sales manager for the southern region at Hurtigruten. Ersmaker has replaced Lucy Hone in the role, who left the cruise line earlier this year. Ersmaker joined the cruise line in 2011 and her accounts will now include Iglu, Bath Travel, Advantage and Travel Network Group.

Jeff Ward has been announced as the managing director of Hotel Gotham, a new property in Manchester from Bespoke Hotels. Ward has joined the new hotel ahead of its opening in April 2015 on King Street. He has previously worked at Park Hilton Munich, Bristol Hilton International and The Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg.

Jennifer Charlton has been recruited as vice president/head of supplier relations for EMEA at American Express Global Business Travel. Charlton joins the company from Carlson Wagonlit Travel and will lead GBT’s supplier strategy in the EMEA region. She will be based in London.

James McClure has joined Airbnb
James McClure has joined Airbnb

James McClure has joined Airbnb as UK & Ireland general manger. McClure was previously head of emerging markets for Singapore and South East Asia at Google. He will now be the primary ambassador for the brand in the UK and Ireland.

Thomas Murphy has been appointed general counsel at Travelport. Murphy joins the firm with more than 16 years’ experience as an in-house counsel, most recently at William Hill where he was responsible for regulating its US gaming business.

Maryam Banikarim has been appointed as Hyatt‘s new global chief marketing officer. She joins the Chicago-based hotel group with more than 20 years of marketing expertise across multiple industries. Most recently she was the first-ever chief marketing officer for US-based media company Gannett.

Sarah Lantzer has been named as European sales managers for the new Delano Las Vegas hotel. Lantzer will be responsible for group business and sales efforts in Europe as well as East Coast US, Midwest and Canada. She joins from MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Nick Taylor has also been appointed as a sales manager for West Coast US, Mexico and South America, joining from Mandalay Bay.

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SA – Maria Ersmaker Maria Ersmaker has joined Hurtigruten Sa – James McClure web James McClure has joined Airbnb
Airbnb popularity shows trend for local, rented accommodation https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/airbnb-popularity-shows-trend-for-local-rented-accommodation/ Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:52:29 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=203022 The post Airbnb popularity shows trend for local, rented accommodation appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

A new report issued by Airbnb has shown the popularity and demand for holidaymakers to hire apartments and houses instead of hotels. In its report with think tank Centre for London, the website found 85% of its guests had booked through Airbnb because they wanted to ‘live like locals’, while 83% said they found hotels […]

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Apartments are becoming a popular accommodation option
Apartments are becoming a popular accommodation option

A new report issued by Airbnb has shown the popularity and demand for holidaymakers to hire apartments and houses instead of hotels.

In its report with think tank Centre for London, the website found 85% of its guests had booked through Airbnb because they wanted to ‘live like locals’, while 83% said they found hotels didn’t offer the amenities they wanted.

These views were supported when the research found Airbnb customers spend more than double the amount in cities than regular visitors, spending GBP911 on average during a three-night trip instead of the usual GBP434.

This may be partly due many of the 14, 424 Airbnb hosts in the UK are living outside of central areas, with 70% of bookings taken in neighbourhoods that are not associated with tourism. This then requires the stayer to travel further into city centres.

“This study shows that Airbnb guests stay longer, spend more, and explore new neighbourhoods,” said economist Dr. Margarethe Theseira. “This undoubtedly has a positive impact on cities and residents across the UK.”

Concerns have been raised about Airbnb’s safety standards and legislation regarding short-term rentals, but the report nevertheless shows the interest in staying in a ‘home from home’ environment that offers a localised feeling.

David Nicholson, chief executive of soon-to-launch Visit Rentals believes that increased awareness of the serviced apartment market could help travel agents take advantage of these growing trends.

“Travel agents think the term ‘serviced apartment’ means their clients will pick up a key from a landlord and are left to their own devices, but by being ‘serviced’ it actually includes a lot more,” he explained. “Serviced apartments include a hotel-style information desk; are often in central locations and can vary from one to multiple rooms meaning they are a great option for holidaymakers.”

Villa self-catering accommodation is already popular in Mediterranean but the city apartment model is yet to have been fully embraced by the UK travel trade.

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apartment web Serviced apartments are becoming a popular choice