Airbnb continues to build presence in India

Airbnb has announced a strategic partnership with India's largest media conglomerate The Times Group.

Some reports in media outlets owned by the Times Group say that its investment arm - Times Global Partners - has also taken a stake in Airbnb, although that is not clear from the short official announcement.

What is clear is that India is becoming a priority market for Airbnb. The tie-up will enable Airbnb to develop a "localized presence" in India while giving it access to the Times Group's "vast network of media and operational resources".

Earlier this year Airbnb announced that it was working with Thomas Cook India, offering international "flight plus Airbnb" packages.

And just over twelve months ago Times Group invested in Uber. The statement at the time said that Times Group reaches more than 200 million Indians across its  digital, print and TV channels.

Related reading from Tnooz: Airbnb is forecast to have $12.3 billion in bookings in 2016 (April 2016) Google India sees big hike in searches for branded budget hotels (April 2016) Ibibo Group lands massive $250 million round to extend travel bookings online (Feb 2016)