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.

VIDEO: Rethinking the entry of Google in travel
News / Online
VIDEO: Rethinking the entry of Google in travel
By Kevin May | May 20, 2019
A series of spiky (angry, even) tweets and comments during conferences over the years - that's been the mainstay of one critic of Google's role in travel. Read More
VIDEO: Airbnb plays down competition, says it welcomes new entries into home-sharing
News / Online
VIDEO: Airbnb plays down competition, says it welcomes new entries into home-sharing
By Jill Menze | May 16, 2019
Speaking at Phocuswright Europe, Airbnb managing director of EMEA Jeroen Merchiers claimed: “We’re not obsessed with any individual company.” Read More
Startup Stage Frontdesk
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Frontdesk manages short-term rentals in urban apartment communities
By Mitra Sorrells | May 14, 2019
 Founded in 2017, Frontdesk develops and manages short-term rental suites around the United States for both business and leisure guests.    Read More
What we’ve learned from tracking more than 280M online bookings
From Our Partners / Online
What we’ve learned from tracking more than 280M online bookings
By SaleCycle | May 13, 2019
Over the past year, we have tracked more than 280 million online bookings and abandonments from their airline and travel clients. This is what we found out. Read More
Mint House raises debut $15M round to bring rentals to business trips
News / Online
Mint House raises debut $15M round to bring rentals to business trips
By Kevin May | May 13, 2019
A string of industry veterans have joined the round to back the business travel-focused, accommodation rental service. Read More
Bookings slightly up, revenue slightly down for Booking Holdings in Q1 2019
By Mitra Sorrells | May 9, 2019
Revenue was down but gross bookings were up for Booking Holdings in the first quarter of 2019, including a more than 10% increase in room nights sold. Read More
Airbnb on being smart, technology and standing up for sustainable travel
News / Online
Airbnb on being smart, technology and standing up for sustainable travel
By Linda Fox | May 9, 2019
In Igualada, a small town near Barcelona, Airbnb held its first New Destinations Summit - an event about building sustainable tourism in locations with few hotels. Read More
hostfully-seed-funding
News / Technology
Hostfully brings in $1M in seed funding as it looks to grow team
By Linda Fox | May 8, 2019
The round was led by Precursor Ventures with MergeLane, Wharton Alumni Angels, Blue Startups and Disruption Ventures also participating. Read More
phocuswright europe green room booking
Interview / Online
In the green room at Phocuswright Europe with... Olivier Grémillon
By PhocusWire | May 8, 2019
In a series of interviews with executives participating at the event in Amsterdam in May, PhocusWire finds out what makes them tick... Read More
Jeroen Merchiers phocuswright europe green room
Interview / Online
In the green room at Phocuswright Europe with... Jeroen Merchiers
By PhocusWire | May 7, 2019
In a series of interviews with executives participating at the event in Amsterdam in May, PhocusWire finds out what makes them tick. Next up: Airbnb's Jeroen Merchiers... Read More
Expedia Q1 earnings 2019
News / Online
Q1 growth slows for vacation rentals as Expedia Group realigns business for long-term
By Mitra Sorrells | May 2, 2019
Expedia Group bookings were up 8% in the first quarter of 2019, but only 5% in its vacation rental businesses, now consolidated under the Vrbo brand. Read More
Digital natives reveal what and who gets their attention with online travel reviews
News / Online
Digital natives reveal what and who gets their attention with online travel reviews
By Kevin May | May 2, 2019
TripAdvisor does not compare to Google for getting online reviews of travel products in the minds of travelers aged between 18 and 28. Read More
Investment bubble or the reality of the private accommodation sector?
News / Online
Investment bubble or the reality of the private accommodation sector?
By Linda Fox | May 2, 2019
Headlines position recently funded brands as the next hospitality "unicorns" with big rounds coming in and eye-watering valuations. Read More
trivago-q1-2019
News / Distribution
Trivago seeks new audiences through marketing after solid start to 2019
By Linda Fox | May 2, 2019
Trivago plans to diversify its advertising as it seeks to attract a younger generation to the hotel metasearch engine. Read More
OYO Rooms acquires European rental brand @Leisure Group for €360M
News / Online
OYO Rooms acquires European rental brand @Leisure Group for €360M
By Kevin May | May 1, 2019
The acquisition marks the first big international investment by India-based OYO and puts it feet first in the Europe marketplace for private accommodation. Read More