AMSTERDAM—Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), the global leader in travel management, has announced today it is adding Airbnb for Business to its offerings.
CWT today announced the launch of a partnership with Airbnb, the world’s leading community driven marketplace. The partnership will make Airbnb for Business more accessible to CWT’s customers and provide travel managers with access to the millions of unique accommodations available on Airbnb. Airbnb will be included in CWT’s booking portal adding more than two million Airbnb listings to CWT’s accommodation options. To make booking and tracking trips even easier, CWT agents will be able to book Airbnb listings for travelers and the details for each trip will automatically appear in CWT’s reporting tool.
Scott Brennan, CWT executive vice president and head, global supplier management, said, “Business travel is evolving fast, in particular the growing demand from travelers for more options and the ability to personalize their journey. By adding Airbnb for Business to our offering, we’re providing travel managers with exactly the flexibility they need. It will be especially helpful for travelers on extended assignments, who don’t necessarily want to stay in a hotel.”
Research by the CWT Solutions Group shows business travelers stay an average of seven nights in Airbnb accommodations, 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. Brennan continued, “We want to make sure travel managers can provide the very best and most appropriate travel program to suit their travelers’ specific needs. That’s why including Airbnb is so important: we’re covering all the bases. If you want choice and flexibility, come to CWT.”
“We are excited to partner with CWT and help companies travel for work without sacrificing the comforts of home,” says Lex Bayer, Head of Global Payments and Business Development at Airbnb. “People are combining business trips with weekend stays, and in this ever connected world, finding ways to create unique experiences even if they are on the road for work. With more than two million listings around the world, business travelers travelers get the chance to live in a city, even if it’s just for one night.”
Airbnb listings will be available through CWT in the coming weeks.
About CWT
CWT is a global leader specialized in managing business travel and meetings and events. CWT serves companies, government institutions and nongovernmental organizations of all sizes in more than 150 countries and territories. By leveraging both the expertise of its people and leadingedge technology, CWT helps clients derive the greatest value from their travel program in terms of savings, service, security and sustainability. The company is also committed to providing bestinclass service and assistance to travelers. In 2015, sales volume for wholly owned operations and joint ventures totaled US$24.2 billion. As part of its commitment to responsible business, CWT is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact Ten Principles. For more information about CWT, please visit our global website at www.carlsonwagonlit.com.
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