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Worldwide: Homes & Villas by Marriott International has launched its Channel Connectivity Program, an initiative enabling property management software companies and channel managers to integrate directly to its Application Programming Interface [API].
The new Channel Connectivity Program will create multiple options for property management companies to connect faster, more efficiently, and more reliably to HVMI.
The first participants expected to connect directly through the Channel Connectivity Program are Avantio, BookingPal, Ciirus, Direct Software, Escapia, Hostfully, KrossBooking, NextPax, Rentals United and Track.
Jennifer Hsieh, vice president of Homes & Villas by Marriott International, said: “Customer interest in our home rental offerings has been extremely strong and reservations for homes have grown significantly over the last year. Opening our API through the Channel Connectivity Program enables us to meaningfully scale our inventory to meet demand.
“This will also provide property management companies with personalised support and service, ensuring their homes are presented to our customers, including members of Marriott Bonvoy, in the best light possible,” she added.
HVMI has also teamed up with digital transformation consultancy Publicis Sapient and outcomes-based marketing organisation Epsilon to help develop the Channel Connectivity Program technology. Marriott said it expects the collaboration will innovate guest experiences by unlocking the power of data and accelerate supply growth on the HVMI platform.
HVMI grew its inventory by 160 per cent in 2020, and currently lists more than 25,000 homes in 250+ destinations throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
With a focus only on the premium and luxury tier of rental homes, Marriott only works with select professional home management companies to ensure that every home listed can be serviced at a standard expected of Marriott International, and is the only home rental offering part of travel programme Marriott Bonvoy, which has 147 million members.
By being connected directly to HVMI, Rentals United said it would be able to help the premium and luxury home rental offering expand even faster across the world, including high-priority regions throughout Europe and North America.
The premier enterprise channel manager has a portfolio of approximately 160,000 properties across the world, of which a smaller percentage will be listed on HVMI. To be listed, each home has be vetted to meet the hospitality company’s high design, safety, cleanliness and amenity criteria and have updated imagery.
Rentals United CEO James Burrows said: “We are extremely pleased to be collaborating with Homes and Villas by Marriott International. This agreement is significant to us because it offers the property managers we work with access to a powerful global channel that counts 147 million members of Marriott Bonvoy as dedicated, highly engaged customers and at the same time cements our leading role in the short-term rental industry.”
Marriott, whose brands span from Ritz-Carlton to Sheraton and W Hotels, launched its Homes & Villas venture back in 2019, following a successful pilot program in Europe.
Channel managers and property management software companies can apply to join HVMI here.
