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.

InPhocus, episode 15 - Racial diversity should be the challenge we accept and win
News / Online
InPhocus, episode 15 - Racial diversity should be the challenge we accept and win
By PhocusWire | June 26, 2020
We speak to Jamie-Lee Abtar, executive director of U.K.-based BAME Women In Travel, to learn more about the organization and what new steps brands should be considering. Read More
sonder-series-e
News / Online
Sonder raises $170M at $1.3B valuation, calls it “validation” of recent pivot
By Mitra Sorrells | June 24, 2020
Sonder has raised $170 million in a Series E round, which it expects to grow to $200 million in the near future. Read More
Airbnb won't take IPO off the table for 2020 despite business collapse
News / Online
Airbnb won't take IPO off the table for 2020 despite business collapse
By Kevin May | June 24, 2020
"We spent 12 years building Airbnb's business and lost almost all of it in the matter of four to six weeks." Read More
expedia-group-homeaway-vrbo
News / Online
Expedia Group retires HomeAway, moves customers over to Vrbo
By Mitra Sorrells | June 23, 2020
Expedia Group is getting rid of the HomeAway brand in the United States as it works to simplify its global vacation rental portfolio. Read More
NextRetreat lands €600,000 to build team travel service
News / Startups
NextRetreat lands €600,000 to build team travel service
By Linda Fox | June 23, 2020
Slovakia-based NextRetreat helps teams find the right destination and accommodation for their meetings. Read More
When it comes to planning trips, Black consumers feel “shut out” of the travel market
News / Online
When it comes to planning trips, Black consumers feel “shut out” of the travel market
By Jill Menze | June 22, 2020
For years, Black travelers have been voicing concern about the challenges they face planning and going on trips. Is the industry ready to listen? Read More
What an antitrust case against Google could mean for travel
Opinion / Online
What an antitrust case against Google could mean for travel
By Mario Gavira | June 19, 2020
Evidence suggests the U.S. Department of Justice will soon file an antitrust lawsuit against Google that will most likely target the ad technology used to buy, sell and serve online and mobile display... Read More
Destination X - A brave new strategy for hotels and Airbnb
News / Online
Destination X - A brave new strategy for hotels and Airbnb
By PhocusWire | June 16, 2020
What if, instead of competing head-to-head, these two accommodation categories worked alongside each other to harness their strengths. Read More
rentals united chinese travelers
Opinion / Distribution
Attracting Chinese travelers to the short-term rental market
By James Burrows - Rentals United | June 15, 2020
A look at how to attract Chinese travelers and how Trip.com will play an essential role in the post-pandemic environment. Read More
Airbnb seeks to help local tourism as cross-border travel remains uncertain
News / Distribution
Airbnb seeks to help local tourism as cross-border travel remains uncertain
By Linda Fox | June 11, 2020
Airbnb is working with tourist organizations and governments to help bring local travel back to pre-COVID levels, recognizing that domestic is going to come first. Read More
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Toronto
News / Distribution
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Toronto
By PhocusWire | June 11, 2020
Toronto hoteliers are being relatively disciplined with their rate discounting – not panicking by resorting to fire sale tactics in a futile effort to spur demand. Read More
Unraveling COVID-19 hygiene liability issues for short-term rentals
News / Online
Unraveling COVID-19 hygiene liability issues for short-term rentals
By Mitra Sorrells | June 11, 2020
Due to COVID-19, cleanliness and hygiene are priorities for all consumer travel providers, but it is particularly complex in the fragmented short-term rental sector. Read More
Signs of recovery in vacation rental driving hope for a near-2019 recovery
News / Distribution
Signs of recovery in vacation rental driving hope for a near-2019 recovery
By Linda Fox | June 4, 2020
A Hostfully report put together with AllTheRooms, Beyond Pricing and HomeToGo gives cause for optimism in the U.S. vacation rental segment. Read More
expedia-partner-recovery-analysis
News / Distribution
Experts say buyer beware when it comes to Expedia partner recovery program
By Mitra Sorrells | June 4, 2020
Hospitality revenue experts weigh in on pros and cons of Expedia Group's new partner recovery program. Read More
Startups join forces to create digital services platform for rental accommodation and hotels
News / Startups
Startups join forces to create digital services platform for rental accommodation and hotels
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2020
SmartDigitalPlug was created by six startups to help small hotels and rental properties to digitize their services and address some of the current safety and hygiene challenges. Read More
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