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.

STARTUP STAGE: Trustd.ai helps rentals filter out bad behaving guests
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Trustd.ai helps rentals filter out bad behaving guests
By Mitra Sorrells | January 23, 2023
The company uses AI to collect and analyze a mix of static and dynamic trust attributes related to a guest and then delivers the result to the partner systems in real time, in the form of a... Read More
onda-funding
News / Startups
South Korean hospitality tech startup raises $10M
By Derek Catron | January 20, 2023
Onda provides an integrated sales platform and property management system for hotels and vacation rentals. Read More
HotelRunner raises $6.5M for hospitality tech platform
News / Technology
HotelRunner raises $6.5M for hospitality tech platform
By Linda Fox | January 17, 2023
The funding for the London, U.K.-based business comes from both new and existing investors 212, Wix Capital, Founders Factory, Ascension Ventures and DHM as well as a number of technology veterans and... Read More
Tracking the loyalty strategies of online travel giants
Opinion / Online
Tracking the loyalty strategies of online travel giants
By Mario Gavira | January 11, 2023
While Expedia, Booking.com and Hopper are betting on financial rewards to boost loyalty, Airbnb is focused on driving retention through love. Read More
fractal-homes-30m
News / Startups
Second-home ownership startup offering "hotel-like" stays raises $30M
By Mitra Sorrells | January 9, 2023
Fractal Homes is starting with properties in the United Kingdom and says it provides its owners with “hotel-style management and maintenance.” Read More
Apptopia report image
News / Online
Booking.com, Vrbo and Expedia gain ground in U.S. app downloads
By Kathryn Walson | January 6, 2023
Apptopia says Expedia's app downloads nearly doubled year-over-year to 16.6 million and it, along with Vrbo and Booking.com, benefited from slowing growth for Hopper and Airbnb. Read More
Top travel industry predictions for 2023
News / Online
Top travel industry predictions for 2023
By Kathryn Walson | January 3, 2023
As we begin 2023, executives in the travel industry describe the developments they foresee in the next 12 months.  Read More
scholarship startups
News / Startups
Startups Lucia and BLCK forge ahead with scholarship backing
By Kathryn Walson | December 23, 2022
Samella Watson and Grace McBride talk about how the Philip C. Wolf Memorial Scholarship, including access to The Phocuswright Conference, has helped them shape their startups. Read More
HomeToGo unveils curated search, readies TV marketing push
News / Online
HomeToGo unveils curated search, readies TV marketing push
By Linda Fox | December 21, 2022
The company says HomeToGo Modes will enable travelers to browse properties based on individual priorities and interests including price or one-off properties. Read More
Video: Rezme - Phocuswright Conference Launch innovator
Interview / Startups
Video: Rezme - Phocuswright Conference Launch innovator
By Kathryn Walson | December 21, 2022
Rezme's Cherry is a browser extension app and mobile app that intercepts users on online travel agency websites and redirects them to property websites. Read More
Asia panel PCW 2022
News / Online
How travel is rebounding in Asia without China
By Kathryn Walson | December 20, 2022
In the panel “Around Asia: Hello, New World,” key players in the industry discuss their observations and predictions for the region, including the takeoff of autonomous vehicles, electric aircraft and... Read More
blockchain-panel-pc22
News / Technology
Blockskye, Arise and Dtravel on blockchain in action for travel
By Mitra Sorrells | December 14, 2022
Blockchain-based travel systems are no longer a "someday" but are being used today. Executives from three companies using this technology explain the benefits. Read More
AirDNA 2023 outlook
News / Online
AirDNA predicts continued recovery for U.S. vacation rentals
By Kathryn Walson | December 13, 2022
Forecasts may fall short of the dramatic recovery that short-term rentals experienced in 2021 and 2022, but they often outpace 2019 levels. Read More
Tough 2022 for travel startups as investors turn cautious
News / Startups
Tough 2022 for travel startups as investors turn cautious
By Linda Fox | December 12, 2022
Early stage rounds in particular have been highlighted as impacted by the more conservative approach from investors who, perhaps stung by the pandemic, turned to startups with a proven market fit. Read More
STR U.S. over Europe
News / Online
U.S. overtakes Europe for largest share of rental bookings
By Phocuswright Research | December 12, 2022
Phocuswright finds Europe’s loss in share of short-term rental bookings will be exacerbated by economic and war concerns, as well as increased regulatory restrictions in important markets. Read More
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