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.

Short-term rentals see value in what they do for travel
News / Online
Short-term rentals see value in what they do for travel
By Derek Catron | July 11, 2023
Panelists at Phocuswright Europe 2023 tout boost to local economies, variety and value of their hospitality offers.   Read More
NeoKe raises first round in push to create truly “connected” travel
News / Startups
NeoKe raises first round in push to create truly “connected” travel
By Mitra Sorrells | July 10, 2023
The startup, launched by two former Booking.com executives in 2022, aims to put travelers in control of their data and to create new opportunities for brands to drive loyalty. Read More
Stepping stones toward hotel sustainability
Opinion / Online
Stepping stones toward hotel sustainability
By Sophie Cartwright - Guestline | July 7, 2023
Reducing hospitality’s carbon footprint is an ongoing requirement, but there are steps to help operators get there, saving money in the long term while building loyalty with staff and guests.   Read More
Topkey lands $5.1M for vacation rental financial operation platform
News / Startups
Topkey lands $5.1M for vacation rental financial operation platform
By Linda Fox | July 5, 2023
TopKey aims to offer an expense management, billing and payment platform initially focused on vacation rental property managers.  Read More
Online travel platforms escape digital gatekeeper list
News / Online
Online travel platforms escape digital gatekeeper list
By Linda Fox | July 4, 2023
The European Commission published the first list of companies that consider themselves potential gatekeepers today. Read More
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
News / Technology
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
By Mitra Sorrells | June 27, 2023
For now the chat platform is integrated only with Booking.com’s accommodation booking experience, but the company plans to add flights, ground transportation and other trip components in the future. Read More
Seizing the digital payment opportunity in travel
News / Technology
Seizing the digital payment opportunity in travel
By Linda Fox | June 26, 2023
Stripe's global travel lead James Lemon discusses payments evolution and trends in travel in the PhocusWire Studio at Phocuswright Europe 2023. Read More
Airbnb talks strategy on marketing, travel dispersal, more
News / Online
Airbnb talks strategy on marketing, travel dispersal, more
By Derek Catron | June 26, 2023
Airbnb’s Amir Segall shares insights on redistributing tourism and other strategies during a center stage interview at Phocuswright Europe.   Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Squake provides sustainability solutions for travel companies
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Squake provides sustainability solutions for travel companies
By Mitra Sorrells | June 26, 2023
Squake’s API calculates carbon emissions related to any type of travel, such as an air or rail trip or a hotel stay, and then automates carbon reduction or compensation in the booking flow. Read More
Travel startups on choosing investors, funding experiences
News / Startups
Travel startups on choosing investors, funding experiences
By Linda Fox & Mitra Sorrells | June 22, 2023
Following our recent piece on top investors in travel tech, PhocusWire collected insights from startups on what they look for in investors. Read More
4 key insights from Phocuswright Europe 2023
News / Online
4 key insights from Phocuswright Europe 2023
By Derek Catron | June 21, 2023
Clearing up a mystery over Airbnb’s marketing spend, balancing interests in the travel experience sector, calling for action on climate — they were all key moments during last week's conference.   Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI for vacation rental metasearch
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI for vacation rental metasearch
By PhocusWire | June 16, 2023
HomeToGo’s director of engineering, Mahendra Roopa, answers our questions about how the company is working with generative artificial intelligence technology.   Read More
Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten unveils unmanned vacation rentals model
News / Online
Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten unveils unmanned vacation rentals model
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | June 13, 2023
Rakuten is building a vacation rentals offering in which it will own, manage and operate worldwide inventory that is fully powered by services within the Rakuten eco-system. Read More
Frontdesk acquires short-term rental operator Zencity
News / Startups
Frontdesk acquires short-term rental operator Zencity
By Derek Catron | June 6, 2023
The purchase is part of a plan to expand Frontdesk’s inventory of furnished apartments maintained to hotel standards that can be rented for nights, weeks or months at a time.   Read More
Misterb&b adds in-app social network for LGBTQ+ travelers
News / Online
Misterb&b adds in-app social network for LGBTQ+ travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | June 5, 2023
The LGBTQ+-centric travel accommodation and experience booking platform’s new social network is intended to help users meet one another and also meet locals in destinations they are visiting.   Read More
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