Airbnb to acquire HotelTonight

Airbnb has announced plans to acquire last-minute booking app HotelTonight. The sharing economy accommodation provider did not disclose the commercial terms of the deal but said HotelTonight had raised nearly $130 million in investment funding since its creation in late-2010. Airbnb said the acquisition “accelerates” its mission to provide “an end-to-end platform that serves everyone” … Continue reading Airbnb to acquire HotelTonight

Airbnb has announced plans to acquire last-minute booking app HotelTonight.

The sharing economy accommodation provider did not disclose the commercial terms of the deal but said HotelTonight had raised nearly $130 million in investment funding since its creation in late-2010.

Airbnb said the acquisition “accelerates” its mission to provide “an end-to-end platform that serves everyone” and helps it meet demand from, and for boutique hotels.

In a statement, Airbnb said: “Airbnb’s mission is to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere. To advance our mission, we are reimagining travel by building an end-to-end travel platform that combines where you stay, what you do, and how you get there, all in one place.

“We are building on this work by signing an agreement to acquire HotelTonight. HotelTonight is a hotel-booking service focused on making last-minute trips easy and fun, offering guests seamless, on-demand booking for boutique and independent hotels.”

Airbnb said its last-minute bookings have doubled in the last year.

Co-founder and chief executive Brian Chesky said: “A big part of building an end-to-end travel platform is serving every guest, whether they plan their trip a year or a day in advance.

“Working with the incredible team at HotelTonight, we will offer guests an unparalleled last-minute travel experience that provides unique, memorable hospitality on every trip, on any schedule, at any time.”

Sam Shank, co-founder and chief executive of HotelTonight, added: “We started HotelTonight because we knew people wanted a better way to book an amazing hotel room on-demand, and we are excited to join forces with Airbnb to bring this service to guests around the world.

“Together, HotelTonight and Airbnb can give guests more choices and the world’s best boutique and independent hotels a genuine partner to connect them with those guests.”