Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2018 - Rakuten LIFULL STAY, Inc., a Rakuten Group company providing vacation rental services in Japan, and Agoda, one of the world's fastest-growing online booking platforms, today announced that the two companies have signed an agreement to collaborate in the vacation rental business.

Under the agreement, Rakuten LIFULL STAY will provide its inventory of Japanese vacation rental properties listed on its recently launched vacation rental and accommodation booking site 'Vacation STAY' to Agoda, allowing Agoda's users to reserve these accommodations through Agoda's online booking platform. In addition, the two companies will collaborate on marketing activities aimed at international tourists, particularly from Asia, visiting Japan. 'Vacation STAY' only offers properties whose licensing has been confirmed, such as properties that have submitted the required notifications in line with the recently enacted Private Lodgings Business Act, those that have been accredited as National Strategic Special Zone vacation rentals, or shared accommodation licensed under the Inns and Hotels Act. These listings will be provided to Agoda.

'As one of the world's great destinations, Japan is a popular choice for Agoda's customers,' said Agoda CEO John Brown. 'We are delighted that through our partnership with the highly respected Rakuten LIFULL STAY, our customers will have access to even more quality properties to stay in as they explore this amazing country. The timing of our partnership couldn't be more perfect as an increasing number of travelers globally choose Agoda for booking apartments and vacation rentals, in addition to hotels.'

'We are thrilled to partner with leading online travel booking platform Agoda and expand our sales network,' said Munekatsu Ota, Representative Director of Rakuten LIFULL STAY. 'Rakuten LIFULL STAY has been working tirelessly to offer a broad range of accommodation options that will meet the needs of travelers visiting Japan.'

Going forward, Rakuten LIFULL STAY and Agoda will proactively promote vacation rentals for tourists visiting Japan and contribute to the growth of the vacation rental market in the country.

About Agoda
Agoda is one of the world's fastest growing online travel booking platforms. From its beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005, Agoda has grown to offer a global network of 1.8 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, offering travelers easy access to a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes and villas to suit all budgets and travel occasions.

Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 3,700 staff across 53 cities in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 38 languages.

For more information: https://www.agoda.com

About Rakuten LIFULL STAY
Company name: Rakuten LIFULL STAY, Inc.
Office location: Otemachi Financial City Grand Cube 3F 1-9-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Representative Director Munekatsu Ota
Details of business: Providing services related to vacation rental platform and others
Date of establishment: March 2017
Website: https://www.rakuten-lifull-stay.co.jp/

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Rakuten Inc. published this content on 20 July 2018 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 20 July 2018 05:27:03 UTC