Airbnb says it may have to tweak its commercial model for hotels but it is determined to offer an alternative distribution channel to the big global OTAs, according to the following report by travolution.com
Robin Clifford, northern Europe manager for homes at the leading home sharing site, told the Triptease Direct Booking Summit, that Airbnb was serious about assisting hotels.
He noted it feels like hotels have become hooked on the leading OTAs like booking.com and Expedia. “It’s almost like you have taken a drug but you can’t bet off it,” he said.
Clifford added Airbnb has always been as much about looking after the keyholder, or host, as it is the customer and the site is also all about the experience rather than the price.
He also argued Airbnb has become the most valued partner for vacation rental suppliers in the UK because “we have not beat people up on price”.
“The Airbnb guest wants unique offerings, local experiences and quality hosting. That’s something all of you have got,” he said.
Airbnb has announced it is formally moving into the hotel sector and is starting to categorise its listings in ‘collections’ to reflect the different styles of property available on its platform.
Clifford admitted Airbnb’s commercial model of charging 3% commission to the host and a variable fee to the customer may not work for the independent hotel sector.
A flat fee is being tested, but Clifford said Airbnb was keen to listen to the sector about what it wants to help the platform work out how it can help.
Read full article at travolution.com
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