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.

Opinion / Technology

Momentum and the vacation rental tech startup scene

By Vanessa de Souza Lage - Rentals United | December 20, 2018

The vacation and short-term rental industry is an exciting place for startups right now. There’s been plenty of investment flowing in, with lots of growth, which has created momentum. Read More

Opinion / Distribution

Intermediary growth, consolidation and more hotel distribution trends for 2019

By Sam Turner & Peter Mansour - Hotelbeds Group | December 18, 2018

Consolidation among hotel groups, a slowdown in the alternative accommodations space and airline websites selling hotel inventory were trends seen in 2018 that will continue into 2019. As the year comes... Read More

News / Online

PhocusWire's newsmakers of the year 2018

By Kevin May | December 17, 2018

The profile of a brand in travel - and the perception of it from consumers and industry peers - is mostly generated over the course of certain events or a period of time. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb boosts hotel visibility with homepage refresh, new filter

By Jill Menze | December 14, 2018

Airbnb is pushing its hotels business by featuring a “Boutique Hotels” category on its homepage and by including hotels in its space type filter. Read More

News / Technology

Gaps remain in vacation rental tech sector as managers seek more from systems

By Linda Fox | December 14, 2018

Vacation rental property managers want to offer more services that are currently not integrated within the technologies they use. Read More

News / Technology

VIDEO: Hopper on growth, the impact of NDC and the value of being app-only

By Mitra Sorrells | December 14, 2018

2018 was a big year for Hopper. The app-only price prediction and booking platform picked up $100 million in Series D funding in October and rolled out its hotel service to more than 40 markets. Read More

News / Online

GuestReady grows European presence with new acquisition and partnership

By Mitra Sorrells | December 13, 2018

London-based GuestReady is expanding its portfolio of European short-term rentals through deals with providers in Portugal and France. Read More

Interview / Startups

VIDEO: Rentals United - Summit pitch runner-up at Phocuswright 2018

By Kevin May | December 12, 2018

The vacation rental industry is drawing off new tech such as this advanced automation platform, something it claims the sector has ever seen. Read More

News / Distribution

Rental meta options narrow as Tripping.com finds a new home at HomeToGo

By Linda Fox | December 6, 2018

Holiday rental metasearch service HomeToGo has acquired the assets of U.S rival Tripping.com, with terms of the deal undisclosed. Read More

Interview / Online

Technically Speaking - Ari Balogh of Airbnb

By Jill Menze | December 6, 2018

Ari Balogh comes to Airbnb from Google and is charged with leading infrastructure, information IT and security and engineering for payments, trust and community support as CTO. Read More

News / Technology

VIDEO: Regulations and sustainability - an awkward paradox for travel

By Mitra Sorrells | December 6, 2018

Tourism drives economic growth for destinations, but it can also cause issues such as overcrowding and regulatory challenges. Read More

News / Startups

Homerez raises €6M, aims to become European leader in vacation rental services

By Mitra Sorrells | December 4, 2018

Paris-based vacation rental management startup Homerez has raised €6 million to accelerate its growth and develop new services for homeowners. Read More