The raise follows a strong year for SiteMinder, having processed 105 million bookings through its platform for more than 35,000 hotels worldwide. The privately-owned company also surpassed AU$100 million in annual recurring revenue—80 per cent of which is generated from international markets, through both monthly subscriptions and newer transactional revenue streams.
The additional capital will be used to fuel SiteMinder's growth and innovation, namely through accelerated go-to-market strategies and increased investments in research and development led from Sydney. The company will also further its international expansion and continue the growth of its more than 900 staff, who are located in six offices spanning Sydney, Bangkok, Dallas, Galway, London and Manila.
SiteMinder's technology is today available in eight languages and supported with customer service in a further three. To SiteMinder's CEO, Sankar Narayan, there has never been a more opportune time to capitalise on an online accommodation industry that has grown 11 per cent per annum over the last 15 years and still represents less than 50 per cent of all accommodation bookings.
"As the global landscape for hotel technology becomes increasingly fragmented, and remains largely unpenetrated with connected technology, we couldn't be more thrilled with the quality of new partners we have gained to further cement our position as the global market leader, now and into the future. This investment is a strong endorsement of our growth ambitions to continue building the world's largest and most open guest acquisition platform for hotels," says Mr Narayan.
Michael Dennis, BlackRock's Asia Pacific Head of Capital Markets, says, "We see the Australian private markets providing a compelling investment opportunity. We are excited about this investment and look forward to SiteMinder delivering on its growth ambitions and extending its market leadership."
Mike Ford, Chairman and Co-Founder of SiteMinder, says, "With ever-increasing complexities online amid rising consumer choice, SiteMinder fills a necessary void for hoteliers everywhere. We are delighted to have such a wealth of expertise and experience among our shareholders, to walk the exciting path forward with us."
Early investors of SiteMinder—including Bailador Technology Investments, Les Szekely of Equity Venture Partners, and TCV—remain strong supporters and shareholders of the company.
"The shift in consumer engagement is changing the structure of online travel," says David Yuan, General Partner at TCV and SiteMinder board member. "We wanted to find a technology provider that could power a better consumer experience and empower hoteliers to benefit from this shift. We searched globally and found the best—SiteMinder in Australia. In working together over the years, we've seen SiteMinder emerge as the global powerhouse in the category, and an important franchise in online travel."
SiteMinder was advised by UBS as financial adviser and Gilbert + Tobin as legal adviser in relation to the transaction.
About SiteMinder
In an age of rising choice and accessibility for curious travellers, SiteMinder exists to liberate hoteliers with technology that makes a world of difference. SiteMinder is the global hotel industry's leading guest acquisition platform, ranked among technology pioneers for its smart and simple solutions that put hotels everywhere their guests are, at every stage of their journey. It's this central role that has earned SiteMinder the trust of more than 35,000 hotels, across 160 countries, to generate in excess of 100 million reservations worth over US$35 billion in revenue for hotels each year. For more information, visit www.siteminder.com.
About SiteMinder in Thailand SiteMinder opened its only Asia office in Bangkok in 2012. The company now employees more than 30 people in Thailand, servicing the whole of Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and more.
In 2019, SiteMinder recorded 27% year-on-year customer growth in Thailand. Across Asia, the customers grew 23% year-on-year, and Thailand made up 30% of growth across the region.
Over 35,000 hotels around the world use SiteMinder to market and sell their accommodation property online, with 25% of all those hotels in Asia. Over 3,000 hotels are Thailand-based, including Minor Hotels, Choice Hotels International and Frasers Hospitality. The major are independent hotels, which benefit from greater revenue, using SiteMinder.
SiteMinder partners with Thailand's leading hotel booking brands, including Agoda, Booking.com, Traveloka, Expedia and Hotelbeds.
In 2018, SiteMinder partnered with SCB to strengthen the sustainable growth of SME hotels in Thailand. Alongside the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Google Thailand, SiteMinder is supporting to navigate online platforms.
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