what3words and Airbnb agree UK staycation tie up

Location tech company what3words has entered into a staycation focused partnership with Airbnb.

The aim is to make it easier for people who want to take advantage of a sharp rise in staycation bookings as coronavirus restrictions are phased out, such as those based in remote locations in the Scottish lowlands or around any one of the UK’s 15 national parks.

The location of these stays can often be challenging to describe. Traditional addresses don’t always point you to the correct entrance, and postcodes often cover a broad area.

what3words has divided the world into three metre squares and given each square a unique combination of three random words.

With its tech, Airbnb hosts can direct guests to the exact entrance of their stay.

The system supports those who wish to open up their properties and make use of unusual spaces and plots of land that don’t have their own allocated address such astents, stables, treehouses and barn conversions.

Chris Sheldrick, Co-founder and CEO at what3words, says: “We already see a huge number of hosts on Airbnb using what3words for a smooth arrival and check-in process.”

“Guests want to arrive relaxed and on time, and hosts want the stay to start like this too. But Covid-19 has brought a new dynamic to this.”

“Having a tool like what3words enables people to address and list any part of their property on Airbnb. It’s amazing to see inspired and entrepreneurial hosts maximising their properties and turning them into unique accommodation.”

Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, comments: “With rural travel accounting for almost half of British Airbnb bookings for summer 2021, Brits are more excited than ever to discover off-the-beaten path destinations.”

“We’re out here in rural Perthshire - and people often arrive after work in the evening when it’s dark and tricky to find.”

“Giving the what3words address means they know exactly where they’re going whether that’s the car parking space, their tent or the next day to find nearby activities,” adds Rosie From Aikenhead House.

“During the first lockdown we saw there was going to be an opportunity for national staycations when restrictions would allow. We decided to put up the bell tent to host extra guests - and it’s been really popular ever since.”