Trade-friendly short stay booking platform launches

A trade-friendly short stay booking platform has launched featuring 300 private homes across London. 

Smarter was created by entrepreneur Guy van Der Westhuizen, who entered the short stay industry in 2009 with his London-based short let specialist agency, Ivy Lettings Ltd.

Smarter handpicks private homes managed by short stay agencies including Onefinestay and lists them “at more competitive prices than mainstream booking channels”, according to the brand. 

The company is focused on sustainability and aims to offset the carbon footprint of all of its stays, including guests’ flights, through sister charity the Stay for Good Foundation.

The charity will be funded by a portion of every booking made on the Smarter platform and a 10% profit pledge by the company. 

Smarter confirmed it would work with travel agents, adding that it was “in the process of formalising a commission structure for high value bookings.”

Van Der Westhuizen said: “We’re on a mission to lead the short stay industry in a more positive direction, in terms of both guest experience and environmental responsibility.

“Industry growth over the past decade hasn’t always been for the better, and today travellers face a bewildering array of listings, many run by either dubious or unreliable hosts.

“Smarter will cut through the noise and set a new standard as the first platform to select homes both on the basis of excellent quality and management service, allowing guests to book with absolute confidence.” 

He added: “The travel and hospitality pause over the past year has given us the opportunity to reflect on many aspects of the industries, including their relationships with the environment. As we emerge from the pandemic, we have the perfect opportunity to reset how we operate.

“We’re thrilled to have the city’s leading short stay managers partnering with us, and together we’re very excited that Smarter will be at the vanguard of positive change within our industry, ensuring that both guests and the planet get a much better deal.” 

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