Livily

A Brief History of Livily

Livily was established to bridge a significant gap in the hospitality industry: connecting professionally managed vacation rentals with the global corporate travel infrastructure. While leisure travel migrated rapidly to online marketplaces, the $700 billion corporate travel sector remained largely siloed within traditional networks. Livily emerged as a pioneer in this space, creating a dedicated pipeline to connect property managers directly with major Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and corporate booking tools. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Livily has positioned itself as one of the first platforms to successfully integrate alternative accommodations into the rigorous standards of the business travel ecosystem, unlocking a market of over 1 billion annual travelers.

Who Owns Livily?

Livily operates as an independent, specialized technology provider for the hospitality sector. Headquartered at 19505 Biscayne Blvd in Miami, Livily maintains a focus on B2B connectivity rather than mass-market consumer advertising. Unlike broad-spectrum OTAs, Livily’s ownership strategy focuses on forging deep technical alliances with the world’s largest corporate travel networks, including American Express GBT, CWT, and Egencia. This focus allows the company to prioritize the specific needs of professional property managers and corporate travel buyers, ensuring a high standard of quality control that mass-market shareholders might overlook.

Livily’s Mission Statement

Livily’s mission is “to connect professionally managed vacation rentals into the global business travel infrastructure.” The statement reflects the company’s commitment to professionalizing the short-term rental sector for Fortune 500 companies and corporate clients. Livily aims to tap into the $75.5 billion in bookings flowing through these channels annually—volume that is 3x higher than Vrbo—by providing a seamless, compliant, and premium booking experience for business travelers who value refined luxury and reliability.

How Livily Works

Livily is a specialized distribution platform that pushes vacation rental inventory into the “closed user groups” of corporate travel. Unlike standard OTAs where anyone can browse, Livily connects properties to exclusive networks used by corporate travel agents and employees. The platform operates on a specific set of standards to ensure suitability for business:

• Premium Network Access: It connects listings to American Express GBT, CWT, Serko, and Egencia.
• Corporate Standards: Properties must be “Entire Homes” with a minimum of 5 high-quality images. Managers are required to set a corporate discount ranging between 10% to 30% (20% recommended) to remain competitive within corporate travel policies.
• Streamlined Operations: Livily utilizes Instant Booking to reduce friction for time-sensitive business guests and includes built-in identity, employment, and income screening to vet guests before they arrive.

How Livily Makes Money

Unlike traditional OTAs that rely primarily on high commission percentages from the guest or host side, Livily operates with a focus on access and subscription:

• Subscription Model: Livily charges a Subscription Fee to property managers. This fee grants access to their exclusive, high-value distribution network. This model aligns with their focus on professional managers, filtering for partners who are serious about targeting the corporate sector.
• Value-Driven Revenue: By connecting hosts to a market with higher budget caps and longer stays, Livily justifies its fees through higher average transaction values (ATVs) compared to leisure channels.

Livily’s Brand Ecosystem

Livily does not acquire consumer travel brands; instead, it integrates with the existing giants of the corporate travel world. Its ecosystem is built on Supply Chain Integration. By connecting with global platforms like Amex GBT and Egencia, Livily acts as a specialized inventory supplier. The platform also integrates with major channel managers like Rentals United to ensure that rates, availability, photos, and property info are synced in real-time, preventing double bookings and ensuring data accuracy for discerning corporate clients.

Segments

• Property Manager Segment: Livily targets professional managers with high-performing portfolios. The platform is not for casual hosts; it requires professional management to ensure the consistency and safety that corporate clients demand.
• Corporate Traveler Segment: Livily serves affluent business travelers and “bleisure” guests (business + leisure). These travelers are often employees of Fortune 500 companies who prioritize comfort, convenience, and experience-driven stays.
• Mid-Term Rental Segment: The platform caters to the growing demand for corporate housing, capturing both short-term business trips and 30+ day extended stays for relocations or long-term projects.

Livily’s Marketing Strategy

Livily’s marketing strategy is fundamentally B2B (Business to Business). Rather than spending heavily on consumer search ads (SEO/SEM), Livily markets its inventory directly inside the procurement tools used by major corporations.

• Strategic Placement: Livily ensures properties are visible where business travelers are already booking—inside their company’s approved travel portal.
• Quality Assurance: The platform markets the “safety” and “reliability” of its inventory. By highlighting that guests are verified (ID and employment checks) and that properties are professionally managed, Livily markets peace of mind to corporate travel managers.
• Pricing Incentives: The mandatory corporate discount strategy is a key marketing lever, ensuring that Livily properties appear as attractive, compliant options within corporate booking tools compared to traditional hotels.