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

Banishing the pricing monster that the industry created

By Klaus Kohlmayr - IDEAS | April 13, 2018

Creating differentiation and building guest loyalty is more complex than ever for hotel brands. Read More

Opinion / Online

Amazon's options for disrupting online travel: try or buy

By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | April 11, 2018

Will it or won't it - the subject of Amazon’s potential to disrupt the travel industry is back in vogue once more. Read More

Interview / Online

Phocuswright Europe 2018 Preview: Q&A with Airbnb's Jeroen Merchiers

By PhocusWire | April 11, 2018

Ahead of the event, he discusses Airbnb's 10th anniversary, sustainable tourism and the company's European ambitions. Read More

News / Distribution

Vacation rental "disruption" triggers new focus for association

By Mitra Sorrells | April 10, 2018

A new non-profit association is positioning itself to be the voice of vacation rental owners and managers as they deal with changes and challenges in their business model. Read More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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