Airbnb introduces new booking tool for business travelers

After marketing itself to adventurous vacationers looking for unique and cheap accommodations, Airbnb is now planning to cater to the needs of its growing number of business travellers.

The San Francisco-based company plans to introduce a search tool that will allow professionals to filter homes and apartments that Airbnb has deemed Business Travel Ready. To qualify for a BTR listing, as the company calls it, the dwelling must have a desk, WiFi, 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.

Now, if you’re planning to access the simplified search tool to book homes or apartments with these amenities then you’d need to link your work email address to your Airbnb account. You can register to use the service as a business traveller and then navigate to the company’s mobile or desktop platform. While searching rentals for your next business trip, you’ll now see a new ‘business travel ready’ toggle in the filter menu. Enable the same and choose the listing which suits you best.

This isn't the first time Airbnb has come up with an offering for business travellers. 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.

The home rental giant also streamlines your expense process by making a business-friendly receipt available to you. It has partnered with several travel management companies (TMCs) and duty of care providers for the same.