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Airbnb has announced a deal to acquire hotel booking site HotelTonight for an undisclosed sum.
HotelTonight, which was valued at £354m in its last fundraising round in 2017, helps hotels fill vacant rooms to last-minute travellers at lower prices.
Airbnb said the acquisition forms part of its aim to build a full end-to-end travel platform ahead as it prepares for a potential public float this year. It also added it means it will help to meet the “enormous demand” from and for boutique hotels.
The HotelTonight app and website will continue to operate separately.
Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO, 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 CEO of HotelTonight, said: “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.”
Once the acquisition is complete, Airbnb announced Sam Shank will report to Greg Greeley, Airbnb’s president of homes, and lead its boutique hotel category.
