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.

STR industry is evolving but remains ripe for opportunity
News / Distribution
STR industry is evolving but remains ripe for opportunity
By Morgan Hines | July 1, 2024
Despite constraints, STR industry heads believe there are plenty of opportunities including professionalization, consulting and more in the rapidly evolving space. Read More
OTA ranking booster Otamiser raises $3M in first funding round
News / Online
OTA ranking booster Otamiser raises $3M in first funding round
By Mileva Sapic | June 25, 2024
The startup said it will use the new capital to grow its commercial team as it aims to work with 1,000 hotels and 100,000 short-term rentals worldwide.   Read More
STR platforms stay silent while others call out consequences of Barcelona’s new ban
News / Online
STR platforms stay silent while others call out consequences of Barcelona’s new ban
By Morgan Hines | June 25, 2024
Some say the hotel supply in Barcelona will not be enough to fulfill demand once STRs are gone from the city and that could have a detrimental ripple effect on tourism and local residents.   Read More
Four ways travel and hospitality pros can future-proof their jobs with AI
Opinion / Online
Four ways travel and hospitality pros can future-proof their jobs with AI
By Shahar Goldboim - Boom | June 24, 2024
By doubling down on digitalization today, travel and hospitality professionals can gain an early insight into a technology that will completely turn their industry on its head.   Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale
By Morgan Hines | June 20, 2024
Welcome Compass uses artificial intelligence to generate a personalized digital guide for guests that can include house rules, local recommendations, check-in/check-out instructions and more. Read More
Lighthouse acquires market data specialist HQ revenue
News / Technology
Lighthouse acquires market data specialist HQ revenue
By Linda Fox | June 20, 2024
Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) is making its fifth acquisition in recent years as it continues to roll up hotel data and distribution technology providers. Read More
Travel investment analysis shows shifts in funding, opportunities for innovation
News / Online
Travel investment analysis shows shifts in funding, opportunities for innovation
By Morgan Hines | June 20, 2024
F-Prime Capital partner Gaurav Tuli and Lufthansa Innovation Hub analyst Anna Schneider share their take on innovation and funding across the global travel industry, with additional perspective from a... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Stellar allows consumers to repurpose their unused reservations
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Stellar allows consumers to repurpose their unused reservations
By Mileva Sapic | June 17, 2024
Stellar is a marketplace committed to reselling nonrefundable and noncancellable reservations and tickets across a broad spectrum of experiences, including travel, dining, concerts and sporting events. Read More
Spanish travelers: Hotel stays flat, short-term rentals surging
News / Online
Spanish travelers: Hotel stays flat, short-term rentals surging
By Phocuswright Research | June 14, 2024
This Phocuswright report, based on a survey of Spanish leisure travelers, provides a comprehensive range of data and analysis on the trip life cycle for consumers in Spain.    Read More
Why niche can be nice in the massive world of online travel
News / Online
Why niche can be nice in the massive world of online travel
By Morgan Hines | June 13, 2024
The wide-ranging conversation on the environment for smaller online travel sites touched on the challenges and rewards of working in a smaller, specialized space.   Read More
Majority of LGBTQ+ travelers experience discrimination traveling, Booking.com finds
News / Online
Majority of LGBTQ+ travelers experience discrimination traveling, Booking.com finds
By Morgan Hines | June 12, 2024
 The research comes as part of Booking.com’s mission to “make it easier for everyone to experience the world.” Read More
How travel brands are prioritizing group travel planning
News / Technology
How travel brands are prioritizing group travel planning
By Morgan Hines | June 6, 2024
Expedia Group, Airbnb, Mindtrip and many other companies are looking to simplify group travel planning. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Trustr is a private marketplace for vacation rental discovery
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Trustr is a private marketplace for vacation rental discovery
By Mileva Sapic | June 5, 2024
Launching publicly Wednesday, Trustr is a vacation rental marketplace that enables its members to make properties they own available to people they know and capitalize on recommendations for places to... Read More
From security to cloud, 4 tech insights from hospitality execs
News / Technology
From security to cloud, 4 tech insights from hospitality execs
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2024
Executives from across the hospitality industry discuss how new and old technologies are helping and hindering the sector. Read More
As STR industry copes with growing pains, home swapping enjoys a "Holiday"
News / Online
As STR industry copes with growing pains, home swapping enjoys a "Holiday"
By D.J. Catron | May 28, 2024
Platforms like HomeExchange and Kindred are enjoying big gains while short-term rentals endure frustrations with stricter regulations, supply gluts and more rules and fees.   Read More
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