Airbnb unlocks distribution channels for hotels
Airbnb is to officially allow hotels and other accommodation providers to list on its platform via third party distribution.
Airbnb announced Siteminder as the first to act as a channel manager, allowing the Siteminder client portfolio to be listed next to Airbnb host properties.
Other distribution platforms will also likely be approved in the near future.
SiteMinder has been quietly testing the service with some hotels in recent weeks, and it officially rolls out in March.
Numerous guesthouses and small hotels can already be found on Airbnb but this would become the first time at scale with a third party distributor.
"We’re excited. The Airbnb story is quite phenomenal and to be a part of that, to have been selected as their first global hotel technology partner, to be able to work together with the Airbnb team on their first real-time connection so they can better support hotel businesses the world over, that’s exciting," said Siteminder managing director Mike Ford.
Airbnb says it will impose certain criteria and standards for Siteminder properties to be displayed on the Airbnb site.
Siteminder has a customer base of about 28,000 accommodations.
"Small hotels and B&Bs have long used Airbnb and now we’re building new tools and partnerships to help these local businesses thrive. We are dedicated to working with small hospitality businesses that excel at offering the best guest experiences and living our mission of belonging and we couldn’t ask for a better partner than SiteMinder," said Airbnb’s program manager for hotels, Cameron Houser.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps