Since debuting in 2008, Airbnb has marketed itself to adventurous vacationers looking for unique and cheap accommodations. Next week, the San Francisco-based travel upstart will get a bit more buttoned up. Airbnb plans to introduce a search tool on Monday designed for business travellers. The feature will allow professionals to filter homes and apartments Airbnb has deemed Business Travel Ready. To qualify for a BTR listing, as the company calls it, the dwelling must have a desk, Wi-Fi, self-check-in through a doorman or digital lock, and various amenities you’d expect at a hotel, like free shampoo, a hairdryer and iron. According to Airbnb, 90% of its customers are vacationers. The company attempted to capitalise on its core business last year by adding tourism services, such as hat-making tutorials in London and off-road motorcycle excursions in Los Angeles. But Airbnb sees expense accounts as a big opportunity. US business travel spending is expected to reach $296bn by the end of...
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