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.

Why is it taking so long for travel tech to get women to the top?
Opinion / Technology
Why is it taking so long for travel tech to get women to the top?
By Lisa Barker - IBS Software | March 8, 2021
We all know there is an issue, but as there is a general lack of appetite to engage in the debate - a trend that cannot continue. Read More
Short-term rental bookings boom in the U.K. after roadmap announcement
News / Online
Short-term rental bookings boom in the U.K. after roadmap announcement
By Jill Menze | March 3, 2021
Following Boris Johnson's announcement that the U.K. would ease lockdown plans, short-term rental bookings jumped 88% over the week prior. Read More
Expedia Group and Booking Holdings slashed marketing by $6B in 2020 (but Airbnb now makes an entrance)
News / Online
Expedia Group and Booking Holdings slashed marketing by $6B in 2020 (but Airbnb now makes an entrance)
By Kevin May | March 2, 2021
The body check on marketing spend by the two giants of online travel in 2020 ends a run of gradually slowing increases in prior years. Read More
Campsited pegs down €600,000 in funding for business growth
News / Startups
Campsited pegs down €600,000 in funding for business growth
By Linda Fox | March 1, 2021
Dublin-based Campsited hopes to close a further €3 million in the next three months after landing €600,000 in funding. Read More
Sounding Off: Why we must be proactive - not reactive - about collaboration
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Why we must be proactive - not reactive - about collaboration
By PhocusWire | February 26, 2021
There is a chance to operate in ways that work for everyone - it just means everyone has to play their part and do the right thing. Read More
PhocusWire Pulse: Safer & Seamless
News / Technology
PhocusWire Pulse: Safer & Seamless
By PhocusWire | February 26, 2021
We explore health regulatory and vaccine trends, technology provision for welcoming back customers, changes to business practices and the implementation of new processes for customers and staff. Read More
In first earnings report, Airbnb posts quarterly loss of $3.9B
News / Online
In first earnings report, Airbnb posts quarterly loss of $3.9B
By Jill Menze | February 25, 2021
Despite a massive loss in the fourth quarter of 2020, CEO Brian Chesky says the pandemic has proved Airbnb's business is "inherently adaptable." Read More
Collaboration: the key word for responsible recovery in vacation rentals
Opinion / Online
Collaboration: the key word for responsible recovery in vacation rentals
By Kevin Locraft - Expedia Group | February 25, 2021
To spur and sustain widespread economic recovery in the vacation rental sector, cities, platforms and vacation rental owners and managers must collaborate on effective public... Read More
Booking Holdings focuses on payment platform, connected trip and U.S. growth as 2020 revenue drops 55%
News / Online
Booking Holdings focuses on payment platform, connected trip and U.S. growth as 2020 revenue drops 55%
By Mitra Sorrells | February 24, 2021
Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel says the company is focusing on products and strategies that can help the company grow as travel resumes. Read More
Accor posts €2B loss, lays out 2021 strategy
News / Distribution
Accor posts €2B loss, lays out 2021 strategy
By Linda Fox | February 24, 2021
Accor plans to focus on its ALL loyalty program, further cost reduction and expansion in 2021. Read More
Lifting the canvas off experience tourism
Opinion / Online
Lifting the canvas off experience tourism
By Finán O’Donoghue - Campsited | February 24, 2021
In the last year the camping industry has seen an extraordinary increase in demand. Bookings have risen by 540%, which, to coin a much used phrase, is unprecedented. Read More
Room for improvement - diversity in the hospitality boardroom
News / Distribution
Room for improvement - diversity in the hospitality boardroom
By Linda Fox | February 19, 2021
A new report says about a third of publicly listed hospitality companies have just one or no women in board of director positions. Read More
FantasticStay attracts €1.3M investment, plans expansion and vacation rental tech development
News / Startups
FantasticStay attracts €1.3M investment, plans expansion and vacation rental tech development
By Linda Fox | February 16, 2021
Rental technology startup FantasticStay acquired rival Vreasy last year and plans expansion following its latest round of funding. Read More
Record levels for rental bookings but current revenues way down
News / Online
Record levels for rental bookings but current revenues way down
By Kevin May | February 16, 2021
Bookings are largely following the trend of avoiding properties in large cities, AirDNA says, as travelers opt for coastal and mountain destinations for their trips. Read More
expedia-q4-2020-earnings
News / Online
Expedia Group pulls Vrbo from Google’s vacation rental metasearch product
By Mitra Sorrells | February 11, 2021
Expedia Group's revenue and gross bookings were both down 67% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Read More
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