New Airbnb for Business partnership integrations will allow more employees & travel managers to book stays with Airbnb. 
Airbnb for Business announced new partnerships with American Express Global Business, BDC Travel, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. The partnerships serve as a significant milestone for Airbnb for Business. Previously, we reported on 2015 data that indicated customer satisfaction among road warriors was higher at Airbnb (4.3 stars) than hotels (3.79 stars), so it is not surprising to learn Airbnb has tripled growth in the corporate travel sector over the last year.
Research by the CWT Solutions Group shows business travelers stay an average of seven nights in Airbnb accommodation, twice as long as stays in traditional hotels. The research also found that companies can save up to 37% using Airbnb in the right circumstances. Last month, Airbnb for Business launched a Business Travel Booking tool that allows business partners like travel managers and executive assistants to book Airbnb listings on behalf of other employees.
The new partnerships will allow business travelers or travel managers to book stays directly through Airbnb. This will be the first time travel management companies have the ability to offer Airbnb accommodations to customers. Travel managers will also be able to track and expense their employees’ bookings, similar to how they already track hotel bookings. Through the integration, travelers will have access to Airbnb booking details in corporate travel itineraries and mobile devices.
American Express Global Business Travel will integrate Airbnb for Business as a preferred supplier among American Express Global Business Travel customers, enabling travelers to book accommodations for business trips on Airbnb and travel managers to improve the safety and security of their travelers. During the first phase of the program, once GBT refers a customer to Airbnb, individual travelers can book accommodations directly on Airbnb.com using a corporate email address. The first phase of this partnership is expected to go live in the coming weeks and will expand to additional markets later this year.
In a press release, Wes Bergstrom, Vice President, Global Supplier Relations, American Express Global Business Travel stated, “Business travelers want the freedom to choose accommodations that align with their personal and professional tastes. At the same time, traveler safety and security are a top priority for companies. As the first travel management company (TMC) to partner with Airbnb, our customers can further evolve their travel policies and offer their travelers the ability to book preferred accommodations.”
[framed_box]See Related- Why use Airbnb for Business Travel[/framed_box]BCD Travel is now working with Airbnb for Business to provide corporate travel clients with rich data in a new security and risk management offering that can track the location and trip patterns of business travelers who book Airbnb listings. Airbnb’s data will be integrated into BCD Travel’s proprietary DecisionSource© business intelligence and security solution, allowing clients to interact with maps and detailed reports in real-time and bring Airbnb accommodation bookings into view for managed travel.
“By partnering with BCD Travel on this initiative we expect travel managers to gain better insights into the cost savings, comprehensive global inventory and flexible travel options that Airbnb offers to their travelers,” Lex Bayer, Head of Global Payments and Business Development at Airbnb stated in a press release.
By adding Airbnb for Business to its offerings, Carlson Wagonlit corporate travel managers will now be able to offer their travelers more options and more flexibility, providing a highly personalized itinerary. There are already nearly half a million hotels available through CWT and Airbnb for Business doubles that number.
Business Travel Life
Business Travel Life is an online resource supporting the road warrior lifestyle. We give business travelers the tools they need to maintain their wellness and productivity when traveling. The topics we cover include business travel tips, travel workouts, healthy travel hacks, travel products, general travel tips, and industry trends. Our goal is to make business travel a healthier experience – and to make healthy travel practices more accessible to all road warriors.
