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.

Thynk lands $13M for hotel sales and operations tech
News / Startups
Thynk lands $13M for hotel sales and operations tech
By Linda Fox | April 14, 2023
The investment will speed up research and development as well as being put towards expansion in Europe, America and the Middle East. Read More
airbnb op-ed
Opinion / Online
Is Airbnb hurt by its treatment of property managers?
By Steve Milo - Vtrips | April 14, 2023
Airbnb stock dropped recently after a report that many hosts are marking up prices on its website to encourage guests to book direct and save money. Read More
OTA Insight: Hotels could piggyback off rentals' demand data
News / Technology
OTA Insight: Hotels could piggyback off rentals' demand data
By Linda Fox | April 13, 2023
OTA Insight has delved into its data to find that hotel revenue managers can pick up early demand signals by looking at what’s happening in the rentals market. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: HostAI creates AI-powered direct marketing for independent travel brands
Interview / Technology
STARTUP STAGE: HostAI creates AI-powered direct marketing for independent travel brands
By Mitra Sorrells | April 13, 2023
HostAI uses artificial intelligence to develop marketing strategies to drive direct revenue growth for hospitality brands, starting with vacation rental managers. Read More
Tripadvisor says it's catching more fake reviews
News / Online
Tripadvisor says it's catching more fake reviews
By Linda Fox | April 12, 2023
In its latest Review Transparency Report, the company said its detection process picked up 72% of submissions before they were published on the platform, up five percentage points on its 2020 figure. Read More
InteleTravel acquisition
News / Online
InteleTravel acquisition links leisure and business travel
By Kathryn Walson | April 12, 2023
InteleTravel and Hickory Global Partners said that by merging resources they can better cater to the blended travel market. Read More
Whimstay funding
News / Startups
Vacation rental marketplace Whimstay scores $10M
By Kathryn Walson | April 11, 2023
The San Francisco-based company plans to use the funding toward “key new hires” and the development of new products and features. Read More
Istanbul property
News / Startups
Turkish property management company Missafir lands investment at $26M valuation
By Derek Catron | April 11, 2023
Ege Yapi Technology Ventures, one of Turkey’s largest real estate developers, took part in the funding as a strategic investor.   Read More
Airbnb grows Entrepreneurship Academy
News / Startups
Airbnb grows Entrepreneurship Academy
By Linda Fox | April 6, 2023
The aim of the program is to bring people from diverse and underrepresented communities to host on Airbnb in conjunction with local partners. Read More
Sustainability STRs_Bob Garner_Opinion
Opinion / Online
Travel needs more leadership to fight climate change
By Bob Garner - EnviroRental | April 5, 2023
The short-term rental industry must own its share of the responsibility for reducing emissions, writes Bob Garner, CEO and founder of EnviroRental. Read More
Alloggio acquisition
News / Online
Next Capital to acquire Australian STR operator Alloggio for $41M
By Kathryn Walson | April 4, 2023
Alloggio, Italian for “accommodation,” operates through three business verticals: asset management, distribution and channel management, and operations and logistics. Read More
travel wheelchair
News / Online
Expedia, Wheel the World partner for more accessible travel
By Derek Catron | March 30, 2023
Expedia Group will serve as the exclusive partner to power the lodging supply maintained by Wheel the World, a platform for people with disabilities to book accessible travel.   Read More
hometogo-2022-results
News / Online
HomeToGo considering further acquisitions but prices remain high
By Linda Fox | March 30, 2023
Highlights of the year for HomeToGo included the acquisition of AMIVAC in January and E-Domizil in March and acquiring the remaining 81% stake in Secra in June following its initial acquisition of 19%... Read More
Duve to launch ChatGPT tool for guest communications
News / Technology
Duve to launch ChatGPT tool for guest communications
By Linda Fox | March 27, 2023
The company, which plans to launch DuveAI in the second quarter of this year, says it will enable “hoteliers and hosts to interact with their guests like never before.” Read More
ota-marketing-spend-22
News / Online
Online travel giants spent more than $14B on marketing in '22
By Mitra Sorrells | March 27, 2023
Combined marketing spending by Booking Holdings, Expedia Group, Airbnb and Trip.com Group exceeded 2019 levels in 2022. Read More
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