Airbnb

Based in San Francisco, Airbnb lets people list, find and rent short-term lodging in 65,000 cities and more than 191 countries across the globe. Airbnb is now valued at $31 billion and is also helping travelers explore the world outside their rentals through experiential experiences. They have also just announced that they have confidentially filed a public listing proposal with the SEC.

Staff has been working with Airbnb since 2018, when they began negotiations with the city to require hosts to pay taxes. Fast forward to 2020: Airbnb hosts are paying taxes, COVID-19 hits and they develop the “Rebuilding Together” program for destinations that includes unprecedented access Airbnb to data and marketing.

We are in the process of finalizing an agreement to work with Airbnb in the following areas:

  • Two e-mail blasts to source markets identified by Visit San Antonio and the research provided.
  • Development of a destination landing page on Airbnb.
  • Upload a San Antonio virtual online experience.
  • This is a great start to increasing the visibility of our destination on the Airbnb site, as well as to with their consumer database.

Student Youth Market Tour and Travel Guide

Staff is in the process of developing a tour and travel guide specifically for Student Youth tour operators. It will include information on what’s new, destination re-opening plans and new ideas for itineraries. Most importantly, it will be a resource for the tour operators looking for student group-friendly restaurants, attractions and hotels. A memo was sent out to all partners interested in student youth groups inviting them to provide information about their business, so that they can be added to the guide. For more information please contact Alex Gonzales at alexgonzales@visitsanantonio.com.

Brand USA Global Marketplace Travel Week Europe

Staff will be attending Travel Week Europe, organized by Brand USA Global Marketplace, from Oct. 26 -30. Brand USA has put together a platform that will allow us to have a virtual booth and take one-on-one appointments. This will be a great opportunity to meet with our clients in Europe to better understand what opportunities there are to promote the destination. In addition, Brand USA will be using this virtual platform for shows in Mexico, Canada and Australia. If you have any questions, please contact Francisco Gallegos at franciscogallegos@visitsanantonio.com.

MasterCard

We have just completed our first video for the MasterCard virtual online experience. We went with the Culinary angle and recruited Pharm Table’s Elizabeth Johnson, who cooked quinoa tamales and nopalito salad. The Spanish governor’s palace was a great location for the cooking demonstration. Next steps are video edits and adding destination shots. There will be videos in English and with Spanish subtitles. The latter will be made available on MasterCard’s Mexico site.

In addition, we have had a follow-up conversation with MasterCard Mexico and have begun to work on a MC exclusive offer program. The Mexico office is in the process of identifying key partners that align with the Mexican national traveler. Once this is complete, we will reach out to these partners and discuss the development of an exclusive experience.

Mexico

Visit San Antonio has reinstated our Mexico Agency, Adnova Communications. We had a kickoff meeting with the agency last week and have started planning for the holidays as well as the Spring of 2021.

The border restrictions were extended through Nov. 21. Please keep in mind that the border restrictions do not apply to travel by air, train or sea.

From an Air Service Development standpoint, AeroMexico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus have all resumed direct flights from Mexico to San Antonio and have recently added additional capacity for Mexico City and Monterrey.