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 / Online

Airbnb's updates build towards wider personalization and community ambitions

By Linda Fox | May 20, 2026

Airbnb's AI-driven app updates and additions to Services and Experiences point to its wider strategy. Read More

News / Technology

Expedia Group expands Meta partnership amid push to connect social, booking

By Morgan Hines | May 19, 2026

The expanded collaboration follows the recent news that Expedia is a partner with TikTok for its new in-app booking, a sign of the OTA's focus on growing its B2B distribution strategy. Read More

Opinion / Technology

Agentic commerce in travel: Who wins, who loses and what to do about it

By Mario Gavira | May 11, 2026

Mario Gavira argues that travel companies face sharply different levels of exposure to agentic AI disruption, with loyalty, unique inventory and human expertise emerging as key defenses. Read More

News / Technology

PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, Agoda, BizTrip AI and more...

By PhocusWire | May 8, 2026

Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More

News / Finance

Airbnb targets guest-centric ecosystem as Q1 revenue rises 18% YoY

By Cathy Walsh | May 7, 2026

The company pointed to momentum from flexible payments, localization and hotels as it builds a more personalized platform. Read More

News / Finance

Expedia Group hits record Q1 profitability amid AI overhaul

By Morgan Hines | May 7, 2026

CEO Ariane Gorin shared concrete examples of how AI has driven performance across the business. Read More

News / Finance

Journey acquires experiences platform Epicurate

By Cathy Walsh | May 6, 2026

The deal adds dining, wellness and other services to Journey’s loyalty platform for independent hotels and short-term rentals. Read More

News / Finance

Smartness raises €47M Series B for lodging AI growth

By Cathy Walsh | May 5, 2026

The Italy-based lodging technology provider aims to expand across Europe through organic growth and acquisitions. Read More

Opinion / Technology

Vibe coding in STR tech: Hype vs. reality

By Shahar Goldboim - Boom | May 1, 2026

Shahar Goldboim, CEO and founder of Boom, argues that while vibe coding gives short-term rental operators more flexibility, the real opportunity lies in AI systems that can execute reliably without... Read More

News / Technology

Uber adds hotels, leans on loyalty to drive bookings

By Morgan Hines | April 29, 2026

Uber is pushing to become a super app as it expands to offer hotels, voice booking and more. Read More

News / Distribution

The short-term rental platforms rolling out alternative business models

By Matthew Parsons | April 28, 2026

Short-term rental platforms are reviving subscription models as hosts seek lower distribution costs and more control over bookings. Read More

News / Technology

PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Virgin Atlantic, GetYourGuide, ATPCO and more...

By PhocusWire | April 24, 2026

Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More

News / Technology

AI in short-term rentals: Costs, flops and hits

By Linda Fox | April 24, 2026

The bosses of Casago and Forge Holiday Group discuss hits and misses with AI in vacation rentals. Read More

News / Online

Veeve boosts rental portfolio with 200 Onefinestay homes

By Linda Fox | April 22, 2026

Veeve, which is part of UnderTheDoormat Group, is expecting additional revenues of approximately £2.3 million a year through the portfolio growth. Read More