For a limited time, local telecom Smart Communications is giving its customers another reason to book their accommodations on Airbnb, the wildly popular short-term rental platform, which currently has over 2 million listings in 34,000 cities and 190 countries. Think Uber, but for accommodations in the Philippines and abroad.
Smart prepaid, postpaid, and wireless broadband subscribers can get a P2,500 voucher on their next Airbnb booking (provided they spend at least P8,000), thanks to a partnership between the carrier and the hotel-industry disruptor. Bookings can be done through Airbnb’s website or its mobile app and must be made by March 31, 2016.
Smart prepaid, postpaid, and wireless broadband subscribers can get a P2,500 voucher on their next Airbnb booking.
As for the voucher itself, Smart subscribers can redeem it by sending SMARTAIRBNB to 2855. Only one voucher can be redeemed per subscriber, and, as you may have guessed, it is not convertible to cash.
Airbnb regional director for Southeast Asia JJ Chai said the move is expected to lure more Airbnb users in the Philippines, already one of the fastest-growing markets for the rental platform in Asia.
He also added that there are around 9,000 Airbnb of listings in the country alone, majority of them have been owned for a while and are located in Metro Manila, Boracay, and Cebu. Local Airbnb hosts apparently aren’t too keen on buying properties for the purpose of renting them out.
Airbnb regional director for Southeast Asia JJ Chai said the move is expected to bring a surge in Airbnb users in the Philippines.
Another thing: Airbnb hasn’t been approached by the national government yet, though the company is very much open to working with industry regulators and the tourism board to attract more tourists to the country, among other things.
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