Airbnb’s New Tool Is Business Travel Ready

Airbnb known for hosting millions of vacationers are now tapping into a new market segment, Business Travelers. The short-term rental solution recently announced a new search feature specifically for people  traveling on business other wise referred to as BTR or ‘Business Travel Ready’.

Business Travelers or their Travel Agents can now sift through over 150,000 Airbnb listings deemed Business Travel Ready, globally. Airbnb defines BTR listings through certain work station criteria such as Desks, Wi-Fi and 24-hour check-ins. Other amenities include entire homes for business teams to utilize. However, not just anyone can access Airbnb’s new Business Travel feature. You must be logged in with your business email to book or view any BTR listings.

Airbnb’s decision to migrate into Business Travel hasn’t rolled out on a whim:

“According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), U.S. business travel spending exceeded $290 billion last year and is expected to climb by more than 4 percent in 2017. On top of that, the head of Airbnb’s business travel division, David Holyoke said the number of people using the site for business purposes is expected to quadruple this year.”

This new Airbnb feature initially rolled out in July of 2014, experienced a soaring growth of over 500 companies in 24 hours after the official launch date. Since then over 250,000 companies in over 230 countries are now using it.

As of now, ten percent of bookings made on Airbnb are Business Travel related but are forecasted to grow as the lines between and leisure blur and the new BTR feature makes it easier than ever for Business Travelers to find the right place, at the right price.