Airbnb's new look has already caused quite a stir since it was unveiled on 16 July - and been the subject of much mockery and parody in the process. However, it is on another front that the collaborative consumer platform dedicated to accommodation is in the process of making its mark, and writing a new chapter in its history. On 28 July, the new scarecrow of independent hoteliers announced a partnership with Concur, the global specialist in expense management. From next autumn, users of the Triplink tool will be able to book their accommodation on Airbnb while benefiting from the ease of management and consolidation of their expense reports offered by the Concur solution. At the same time, they will be able to meet their travellers' need for traceability, to ensure their safety. "We've noticed that business travellers are increasingly taking advantage of new generation providers such as Airbnb," explains Tim MacDonald, vice-president of Concur, who adds: "It's clear that employees want Airbnb as part of their travel programme.
The new accommodation heavyweight currently claims 10% of business travellers: not a negligible proportion compared to the 17 million travellers listed by the site, but one that leaves room for growth in the corporate segment. Airbnb's managers have not overlooked this opportunity, and are counting on this partnership with Concur, as well as the parallel launch of a new page dedicated to the business travel segment. The specific "corporate" features are not yet immediately obvious, but the new business window should soon include functions to make it easier for mobile professionals to make reservations. "We know that Airbnb isn't for every road warrior", says Chip Conley, head of Airbnb's global hospitality division, who is targeting "larger groups and longer stays". Barely six years after its creation, Airbnb's development prospects augur a promising future, which could in turn contribute to profound changes in business travel.
