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.

Airbnb tests eliminating guest fees in new pilot program
News / Online
Airbnb tests eliminating guest fees in new pilot program
By Jill Menze | April 9, 2018
Airbnb is asking select hosts to join a pilot program that removes guest fees from listings. Read More
Guesty Agoda integration
News / Online
Guesty adds Agoda to its vacation rental property management platform
By Mitra Sorrells | April 3, 2018
Guesty, a cloud-based system to manage short-term and vacation rental listings across multiple channels, is expanding its offerings with the integration of Agoda.   Read More
google vtrips giant
Opinion / Online
Google: The sleeping giant of the vacation rental industry
By Steve Milo - VTrips | March 30, 2018
What impact will there be on the vacation rental industry if (and when) Google decides to fully join the party? Read More
airbnb chinese government
News / Online
Airbnb offers to de-list Chinese properties if hosts have data worries
By Jill Menze | March 28, 2018
Airbnb has alerted hosts in China that it will begin sharing host information with the Chinese government. Read More
Airbnb claims 20,000 hosts apply for Plus, 1,100 hotels also want in
News / Online
Airbnb claims 20,000 hosts apply for Plus, 1,100 hotels also want in
By Kevin May | March 22, 2018
Airbnb is clearly hoping its evolution of the brand to account for different types of properties will capture the attention of existing hosts. Read More
In The Big Chair - Eric Breon of Vacasa
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Eric Breon of Vacasa
By Jill Menze | March 22, 2018
Coming to Vacasa with a background in venture capital and analytics, Eric Breon has since raised an industry-leading $140 million in funding for the company since founding it. Read More
Amazon’s multifaceted – and likely inevitable – path into travel
News / Online
Amazon’s multifaceted – and likely inevitable – path into travel
By Mitra Sorrells | March 21, 2018
It’s becoming clear that it’s no longer a question of “if” but rather of “when” and "how” Amazon will try to disrupt the travel industry.... again. Read More
OYO acquires Novascotia Boutique Homes
News / Startups
OYO inks first acquisition deal with Novascotia Boutique Homes
By Mitra Sorrells | March 20, 2018
Indian hospitality company OYO is broadening its portfolio of properties with the acquisition of Novascotia Boutique Homes.   Read More
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #9
News / Online
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #9
By Kevin May | March 19, 2018
Valyn Perini, Stephen Joyce and Robert Cole get to grips with developments Airbnb and the potential for Amazon to make a return in travel (again). Read More
A battle for hearts and homes - that would be Airbnb and Booking.com
Opinion / Online
A battle for hearts and homes - that would be Airbnb and Booking.com
By Douglas Quinby - Phocuswright | March 14, 2018
It's shaping up to become one of travel's great competitive rivalries: Airbnb versus Booking.com. Read More
Airbnb courts hoteliers in crusade against OTAs
News / Online
Airbnb courts hoteliers in crusade against OTAs
By Jill Menze | March 14, 2018
Airbnb has made no secret of its intentions to knock off Expedia and Booking.com from the top of the travel food chain. Read More
TurnKey Vacation Rental $31M funding
News / Online
TurnKey secures $31M to expand its tech-driven management company
By Mitra Sorrells | March 13, 2018
An Austin, Texas-based property management company that differentiates itself by using smart home technology and local customer service teams has raised $31 million in series D funding to expand.   Read More
VIDEO: Hotels on distribution and their online travel agency friends
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Hotels on distribution and their online travel agency friends
By Kevin May | March 12, 2018
We all know that the hotel industry is facing a series of challenges - some large, some less so - around its sales and distribution strategy. Read More
Booking.com wants to "win" private accommodation but won't mimic Airbnb
News / Online
Booking.com wants to "win" private accommodation but won't mimic Airbnb
By Kevin May | March 7, 2018
What a difference a few weeks can make - Airbnb was once a big threat to hotels, yet now all the attention is on its emergence as a competitor to online travel agencies. Read More
What a voice-enabled future looks like for the vacation rental market
News / Technology
What a voice-enabled future looks like for the vacation rental market
By Jill Menze | March 7, 2018
As travel intermediaries such as online travel agencies tighten their grip on owning traveler data, vacation rental property managers are left in a precarious position. Read More