Airbnb has sealed a new partnership with the Thailand Boutique Accommodation Trade Association (TBAA) to showcase the country’s boutique hotel sector on the platform.
It marks a new departure for the home sharing platform and is the first time the TBAA has entered into an agreement of this kind with an international company.
The two companies join forces to boost global awareness of the sector
"We are excited to work with the TBAA to bring boutique entrepreneurs onto our platform, and connect them with a growing global audience who desire to experience iconic Thai hospitality in an intimate, design-centric setting," said Mike Orgill, Airbnb country manager for Southeast Asia.
The agreement will see Airbnb conduct workshops for TBAA member hoteliers into how best to manage their properties on the Airbnb app and market themselves to users.
"The TBAA’s collaboration with Airbnb is an exciting opportunity for boutique hotel owners in Thailand, which will showcase their uniqueness and creativity to a global audience," said Suparerk Soorangura, TBAA president.
Boutique accommodations play a key role in the local tourism landscape with ‘host-led hospitality and distinctive local design’ Orgill said.
Furthermore the partnership hopes to stimulate tourism growth in Thailand’s lesser known regions by encouraging stays beyond the most popular tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
