Booking.com reveals alternative accomm revenue for first time, shortlists Aussie start-ups for funding

Amsterdam, Netherlands - December 16, 2017: Booking.com Amsterdam Headquarter. The leading worldwide online hotel reservations agency. Booking.com B.V., part of Priceline.com, owns and operates Booking.com'

For the first time ever, Booking Holdings has disclosed the revenue of Booking.com’s alternative accommodation business.

The business division, which includes homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, recorded approximately $3.9 billion in revenue for 2018, representing 20 per cent of the company’s overall revenue for the year.

Booking.com ended last year with 5.7 million reported listings – up 18 per cent year on year, and more than any other player in the homes/apartments space, according to the company.

It also disclosed that 40 per cent of Booking.com’s active customer base booked an alternative accommodation property at some point within the past 12 months.

Booking.com’s revenue disclosure comes shortly after the digital travel platform shortlisted two Aussie start-ups – Clean Travel and Okra Solar – as part of its 2019 Booking Booster Program in Amsterdam in April and May.

Clean Travel is a software platform that helps local ethical travel operators manage their business and reach a global audience. It connects communities with local travel organisations that offer unique ethical adventures.

Okra Solar is distributed solar energy sharing. The technology aims to transform the energy market and offers affordable energy access for 1.2 billion people living off the grid.

The companies are to of 10 shortlisted start-ups that will take part in a three-week accelerator program consisting of lectures, hands-on workshops and coaching.

The program will culminate with a final pitch to receive a scaling grant of up to almost $800,000 from Booking.com’s $3 million fund in order to help support the next stage of the start-ups’ projected growth.

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