Airbnb opens platform for hotel distribution

AIRBNB is to allow
hotels and other
accommodation
providers to list on the site
for the first time, through
an official third-party
distribution network.
SiteMinder will be the
platform that acts as a
channel manager on a
global scale so that its
portfolio of properties
can be featured alongside
existing properties from
Airbnb hosts.
The deal is not exclusive,
with SiteMinder the first of
a number of distribution
platforms expected to be
given connection rights to
Airbnb over time.
The connection will be
available from March 1,
but SiteMinder has been
working with a select
number of hotels in
different markets around
the world to test the
service.
Hotels and B&Bs have
listed on Airbnb in the
past but have done so
independently and not
through a third-party
distribution service.
In a clear indication
that Airbnb has online
travel agencies (OTA) in
its sights, the company
says it will charge a
service fee for hotels and
accommodation providers
in the region of 3% to
5%, much lower, it claims,
than that of OTAs, which
can charge as much as
30%. Airbnb will also
not require hosts to sign
contracts, and it will
manage all payments and
transactions.
Airbnb is expected
to allow chain hotels
to participate in the
programme but is pushing
the ‘unique experience’
angle from those it wants
to list on the site.