Alternative Accommodation

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the alternative accommodation sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on home-sharing, short-term rentals, timeshare, homestays and other property types.

News / Technology

OpenAI chairman tells travel industry: Do not restrain your AI agents

By Matthew Parsons | September 25, 2026

Bret Taylor, who is also the co-founder of Sierra, urged travel brands to adopt agents to reduce friction, calling agents "remarkable." Read More

Interview / Startups

Startup Stage: OutReserve wants to make outdoor travel easier to navigate

By Abby Crotty | September 21, 2026

Founded this year, OutReserve is focused on addressing fragmentation in the outdoor travel space. Read More

News / Online

Guesty acquires Smily to expand in French STR market

By Abby Crotty | September 17, 2026

The financial terms were not disclosed, but Smily founders and a group of its shareholders are reinvesting in Guesty equity. Read More

News / Finance

OTA marketing spend rose again in Q2

By Abby Crotty | September 15, 2026

The travel industry's largest players are still pouring money into marketing, even as AEO becomes more relevant. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb's Chesky outlines monetization strategy

By Abby Crotty | September 10, 2026

While speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia and Technology Conference, Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky discussed margin and growth opportunities. Read More

News / Technology

Expedia CEO on AI's growing role in travel planning and booking

By Abby Crotty | September 9, 2026

During a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia and Technology Conference on Wednesday, Gorin discussed recent AI efforts and future plans for the technology. Read More

News / Distribution

Google removes vacation rentals unit from search results in the EEA

By Abby Crotty | September 8, 2026

The search giant said the move is part of its ongoing efforts to comply with the DMA. Read More

News / Startups

STR cleaning and operations provider Piney raises €1.6M to develop AI capabilities

By Abby Crotty | September 3, 2026

The startup uses AI to facilitate real-time cleaning checks, flagging issues before cleaners leave a property. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb names Tripadvisor exec Pepijn Rijvers chief business officer

By Abby Crotty | September 1, 2026

Rijvers succeeds current CBO Dave Stephenson, who has decided to move on after eight years at Airbnb. Read More

News / Technology

Vrbo launches sponsored search listings globally amid wider product rollout

By Morgan Hines | September 1, 2026

Expedia Group has announced a dozen vacation rental product launches for Vrbo and Escapia. Read More

Opinion / Distribution

Airbnb is making us rethink what a 'direct booking' really means

By Scott Eddy | August 30, 2026

Airbnb is testing lower fees on host-shared booking links, but the reservation still runs on Airbnb, which raises harder questions about demand, trust and distribution costs. Read More

News / Online

VayKLife acquires Xplorie to combine vacation rental amenities and activities

By Abby Crotty | August 26, 2026

The brands are now joined and operating under the VayKLife name. Read More

News / Finance

HomeToGo links operational gains to internal AI use

By Morgan Hines | August 20, 2026

CEO and co-founder Patrick Andrae attributed faster response times and an 85% reduction in chat escalation to AI implementation. Read More

News / Online

How Mad Monkey aligned its social media strategy with the way its guests travel

By Cathy Walsh | August 18, 2026

The hostel operator has built a multifaceted creator strategy around how young travelers discover destinations, connect with one another and move through Southeast Asia. Read More