PLDT partners with Airbnb

MANILA, Philippines - Telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) which has forged a partnership with online accommodation booking platform Airbnb, is looking to conclude three other partnerships with investments of $15 million to $30 million by year-end.

In line with its thrust to provide the best digital experience to its customers, PLDT with wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. and digital innovations unit Voyager Innovations Inc. announced its partnership with Airbnb.

Under the partnership, Smart subscribers can avail of a P2,500 discount when they book an accommodation through Airbnb with a minimum spend of P8,000 from today until January 2016.

To avail of the discount, subscribers just need to text SMARTAIRBNB to 2855 to receive a unique promo code.

The discount can be availed once by every registered Philippine Airbnb user on the condition the booking is made by March 31, 2016 and the date of travel is between today and December 2016.

While the partnership is seen to benefit Filipino travelers, Airbnb and PLDT are also exploring ways to work together to make it easier for homes and unique hospitality businesses to list on the platform.

“We’re excited to help bring yet another digital innovation closer to more Filipinos nationwide, this time with a global pioneer in travel accommodations, Airbnb. As more and more Filipinos, particularly the younger ones, find the time and resources to travel around the country and abroad, we are providing them convenient access to millions of the most unique accommodations around the world through our partnership with Airbnb, as part of the revolutionary ‘Smart Life’ experience,” Ariel Fermin, executive vice president and head of consumer business at Smart said.

For his part, Jia Jih Chai, regional director for Southeast Asia at Airbnb said the partnership with Smart is expected to enable the platform to sustain, if not exceed the 300 percent growth in Filipino users and hosts seen last year, this year.

“The Philippines is among the fastest growing markets for Airbnb in the region and we are excited to reach even more Filipinos through this partnership. Unforgettable travel experiences are literally just a few clicks away on Airbnb. With almost two million homes to choose from all over the world, tree houses, holiday villas or designer apartments are safely and easily booked on a computer, mobile phone or tablet,” he said.