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.

Real estate firm JLL launches short-term rental platform
News / Online
Real estate firm JLL launches short-term rental platform
By Jill Menze | September 19, 2021
JLL Short Stays, powered by proptech company Lavanda, aims to rival Airbnb and Booking.com in the urban accommodations market. Read More
Vrbo expands program to woo Airbnb hosts, claims thousands have already joined
News / Online
Vrbo expands program to woo Airbnb hosts, claims thousands have already joined
By Kevin May | September 16, 2021
The Fast Start program began in the U.S. in March 2021 and is designed to help experienced hosts who haven't joined the site yet increase their visibility and earnings. Read More
pacaso-series-c-funding
News / Online
Pacaso raises $125M, expands vacation home co-ownership platform to Spain
By Mitra Sorrells | September 14, 2021
Launched in October 2020, Pacaso's valuation is now $1.5 billion, and it manages nearly $200 million in real estate. Read More
Tackling unconscious bias in travel marketing
Opinion / Online
Tackling unconscious bias in travel marketing
By Lizzy Duffy Anderson - Sparkloft Media | September 13, 2021
We know it helps everyone to see themselves in an advertisement to better imagine a meaningful and momentous vacation. Yet, far‐too‐often, there’s something missing. Read More
Will leisure travel companies break into corporate accommodation?
Opinion / Distribution
Will leisure travel companies break into corporate accommodation?
By Lee Curtis - Reside | September 10, 2021
This has created opportunities for players in the travel sector to widen the appeal of their offering to both leisure and business travelers, especially as optimism for travel continues to increase. Read More
microsoft-oyo-partnership
News / Technology
Microsoft, OYO partner to develop travel products and tech
By Mitra Sorrells | September 9, 2021
Along with announcing that the companies will work together to create "next-gen travel and hospitality products and technologies," Microsoft acknowledges a recent equity investment in OYO.   Read More
SilverDoor parent acquires rival The Apartment Service
News / Distribution
SilverDoor parent acquires rival The Apartment Service
By Linda Fox | September 8, 2021
The acquisition is said to unite two of the largest serviced apartment agents in the world. Read More
How short-term rental data can help DMOs build back sustainably
Opinion / Online
How short-term rental data can help DMOs build back sustainably
By Alex Gomez - AirDNA | September 8, 2021
With the right tolls and collaborators, DMOs can build for a sustainable future. Read More
Angel Host raises $5.2M for rental tech development
News / Startups
Angel Host raises $5.2M for rental tech development
By Linda Fox | September 6, 2021
    Investment for the startup was led by White Star Capital, with Desjardins Capital and Panache Ventures also involved. Read More
oyo-onboarding-self-service
News / Technology
OYO adds self-service onboarding tool to boost supply
By Mitra Sorrells | September 3, 2021
OYO says its new OYO 360 tool reduces the time it takes to bring new hotels into its system from 15 days to just 30 minutes. Read More
Travelport gives marketing innovation challenge to startups
News / Startups
Travelport gives marketing innovation challenge to startups
By Kevin May | September 2, 2021
Travelport Accelerator is part of a new service called Travelport Focus, designed to concentrate on innovation in the industry and which is also supported by AWS. Read More
Investing in travel post-pandemic: An assessment
Opinion / Online
Investing in travel post-pandemic: An assessment
By Chris Hemmeter - Thayer Ventures | September 2, 2021
Thayer Ventures' Chris Hemmeter examines where the industry is now and what the next 18 months hold. Read More
awaze-quality-cottages-acquisition
News / Online
Awaze grows its rural rental portfolio with additional acquisitions
By Mitra Sorrells | September 1, 2021
Awaze is buying Quality Cottages and sister brand Quality Unearthed, adding 671 units to its inventory in the United Kingdom. Read More
Kocomo raises $56M for luxury home co-ownership model
News / Online
Kocomo raises $56M for luxury home co-ownership model
By Jill Menze | September 1, 2021
Kocomo's technology enables people to purchase, own and sell co-ownership interests in luxury homes. Read More
transparent-rental-review-data
News / Online
The power of reviews in the short-term rental sector
By Mitra Sorrells | August 30, 2021
Quantity and quality of reviews matter for alternative accommodations, and new data shows those factors vary based on the size of properties being managed. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026