This past week I was invited to speak at the Airbnb’s worldwide conference called “Airbnb OPEN” in Los Angeles as a panelist and travel expert representing the bed & breakfast industry and our small independent lodging members. Over 8000 Airbnb hosts, media representatives, and travelers attended Airbnb OPEN. During the panel discussion, which included over 1200 attendees in the audience from around the world, I had the privilege of speaking about the value of travel and lodging partnerships, alongside three other highly esteemed travel professionals. These professionals included the CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association, the Vice President of Research for Phocuswright (a leading travel trends research firm ) and the founder of one of the most successful boutique hotel companies in the U.S. The panel discussion was moderated by Airbnb’s head of global hospitality and strategy – Chip Conley, who invited each of us to join him on this panel. Between the five of us, there was a collective 100+ years of experience and expertise in the lodging industry. I felt honored to have a place on stage with this accomplished group and was highly impressed with their interest in the bed and breakfast industry and working collaboratively.
We were pleased to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with Airbnb on their global stage. As one of the largest online travel platform in the world, with over 100 million guests using Airbnb properties for short term stays, Airbnb could have chosen any number of lodging associations to join them. They chose AIHP, and Airbnb was very willing to invite AIHP as “the leading B&B association in the U.S.” to share their experiences and thoughts.
The panel discussion in front of such a large audience also allowed AIHP to specifically express our concerns about the sharing economy and the need for a level playing field, with regard to collecting occupancy tax and requiring parity with B&Bs for regulations locally, among other topics. The questions and feedback from the audience, that resulted from our discussion, were very supportive, both to importance of professionally run B&Bs and their place in the sharing economy and the beliefs we have about a level playing field for our members.
AIHP and its B&B members share a commonality with Airbnb to connect people with unique lodging experiences. As your CEO, I will continue to seek opportunities, with companies like Airbnb, on behalf of our members. It is clear Airbnb recognizes AIHP’s commitment to expanding ways for B&Bs to have a greater presence on the Airbnb platforms. We look forward to continuing to find ways to collaborate, while advocating for the interests and concerns of our members.
I look forward to all the opportunities we will nurture for the B&B industry, made stronger by our associations with key national organizations, and travel partners. AIHP will continue to move forward with the rising tide of travel. We invite you to come along on this journey with us.
As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am thankful for your support of AIHP.
Sincerely,
Rob Fulton
CEO, AIHP
717-433-6813
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Rob Fulton, AIHP CEO
Rob Fulton
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Rob Fulton
Rob Fulton speaking at Airbnb OPEN
in Los Angeles