Hoteliers learn from Airbnb, HomeAway.

Americas Best Value Inn, sees Airbnb as an alternative channel to sell rooms. With 80-rooms, Americas Best Value Inn and Suites Tukwila/SeaTac Airport in Washington is not your typical Airbnb client. Kyle Lawrence, sales and marketing manager for Americas Best Value sees it as just a different way to reach potential guests.

“I thought … we can treat (Airbnb) kind of like an (online travel agency). … And it’s just another way to differentiate yourself and get out there,” he said.

It’s an easier than OTAs he says “because … I have a one-on-one conversation with the person. With an OTA, it’s just somebody paying and coming in. But in this case, I’m able to get a complete understanding of what their needs are”.

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