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.

dtravel-blockchain-private-rentals-launch
News / Distribution
Blockchain-based private rental marketplace Dtravel launches with $5M seed round
By Mitra Sorrells | June 17, 2021
Dtravel is being launched by Australia-based OTA Travala and others, with a goal of giving “hosts and guests more control, ownership and lower fees than existing platforms.” Read More
The short-term rental industry is booming – but will it last?
News / Online
The short-term rental industry is booming – but will it last?
By Jill Menze | June 14, 2021
The alternative accommodations market is headed for a record summer, but as people return to work and school, can that trajectory be sustained? Read More
Vrbo and Airbnb unite to crack down on party houses
News / Online
Vrbo and Airbnb unite to crack down on party houses
By Kevin May | June 11, 2021
The two giants of the short-term rental world have decided to come together to try and address a specific element of the problem, when repeat offenders get delisted on one platform and then materialize... Read More
Outdoorsy leads Collective Retreats’ $23M funding round, enters new strategic partnership
News / Online
Outdoorsy leads Collective Retreats’ $23M funding round, enters new strategic partnership
By Jill Menze | June 9, 2021
Together, RV rental platform Outdoorsy and luxury retreats business Collective Retreats will develop new accommodation offerings. Read More
eu-tech-platforms
News / Online
Can travel platforms find ways to regulate themselves?
By Linda Fox | June 9, 2021
The European Purpose Project - launched by a number of brands including ground transport specialist Bolt - is putting together a code of conduct for platforms. Read More
Customer engagement strategy key to rebuilding traveler confidence
News / Online
Customer engagement strategy key to rebuilding traveler confidence
By Linda Fox | June 9, 2021
Only a fifth of consumers feel safe traveling now with many relying on the vaccine rollout before they travel. Read More
oyo-coo-interview
News / Online
Q&A: OYO on how it wants to emerge from the COVID crisis
By Mitra Sorrells | June 8, 2021
Abhinav Sinha, COO of India-based OYO, discusses what the company has learned through the pandemic, new tech products it has launched and its plans for future growth. Read More
VTrips makes string of acquisitions as consolidation in vacation rentals continues
News / Distribution
VTrips makes string of acquisitions as consolidation in vacation rentals continues
By Jill Menze | June 7, 2021
VTrips has acquired Tennessee-based Resort Property Management as well as Florida-based Distinctive Beach Rentals and Resort Collection. Read More
VIDEO: Fighting fraud in vacation rentals
News / Online
VIDEO: Fighting fraud in vacation rentals
By PhocusWire | June 7, 2021
Speaking during PhocusWire Pulse: Decoding Travel Security, Expedia Group's James Cassidy explains how booking vacation homes via an intermediary comes with certain protections. Read More
Operto acquires fellow hospitality tech provider VRScheduler
News / Technology
Operto acquires fellow hospitality tech provider VRScheduler
By Kevin May | June 3, 2021
VRScheduler is known for its property management tools for vacation rentals, including bookings and distribution through major third parties, payments, forecasting, staff and resource services,... Read More
How I Got Here, episode 67 - Richard Valtr of Mews
Interview / Technology
How I Got Here, episode 67 - Richard Valtr of Mews
By PhocusWire | June 3, 2021
Richard Valtr was back in his home country of the Czech Republic and helping with a family project to renovate and build a hotel, when the concept of Mews was formed. Read More
Cosi-acquires-friendly-rentals
News / Distribution
Cosi acquires Friendly Rentals to boost presence in Spain
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2021
Germany-based Cosi is focusing on city-center locations for leisure and business travel use. Read More
Sounding Off: There's no masking mainstream ambitions in travel
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: There's no masking mainstream ambitions in travel
By PhocusWire | May 28, 2021
It's worth remembering that Airbnb has been attempting to place itself in the mainstream for quite some time, rather than it trying to do so as part of some kind of new strategy now. Read More
WATCH: Digital travel revenues flat as 2021 starts with a whimper
News / Online
WATCH: Digital travel revenues flat as 2021 starts with a whimper
By Kevin May | May 28, 2021
The traditionally upbeat first quarter for many brands (when consumers begin to consider their annual breaks later in the year) has been tempered by ongoing lockdowns in Europe and elsewhere. Read More
Google Travel adds vacation rentals alongside hotels in search results
News / Distribution
Google Travel adds vacation rentals alongside hotels in search results
By Mitra Sorrells | May 27, 2021
Beginning today, consumers that search for accommodations in a specific destination may see both hotels and vacation rentals in the search results on google.com/travel. Read More
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