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.

startups-coronavirus-decisions
News / Startups
Confronted by crisis, travel startups weigh difficult - and personal - decisions
By Jill Menze | March 24, 2020
Not only are startups equipped with fewer resources, funds and time, but also, the close-knit nature of their workforces means that even one shift within the company is often felt by all. Read More
Airbnb urges U.S. government to alter rules for hosts during coronavirus crisis
News / Online
Airbnb urges U.S. government to alter rules for hosts during coronavirus crisis
By Kevin May | March 18, 2020
In a letter to the speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, as well as the Republican Party leader in the house, Kevin McCarthy, Airbnb is asking for four alterations to existing tax and... Read More
Looking beyond the coronavirus chicane to accelerate growth for travel
From Our Partners / Technology
Looking beyond the coronavirus chicane to accelerate growth for travel
By Apurva Chamaria - RateGain. | March 16, 2020
This is not the first time in this century that the travel and tourism industry is at the center of a crisis and has to deal with losses and have to adapt and survive. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 28 - Michael Driedger of Operto
Interview / Technology
How I Got Here, episode 28 - Michael Driedger of Operto
By PhocusWire | March 12, 2020
Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May from PhocusWire talk with Micheal Driedger, co-founder and CEO of Canada-based Operto, about bringing high-end tech to private accommodation and hotels. Read More
Cloudbeds brings in $82M to “triple down” on hospitality tech
News / Technology
Cloudbeds brings in $82M to “triple down” on hospitality tech
By Steven Lerner | March 11, 2020
Cloudbeds plans to further invest in its hospitality management technology platform after landing an additional $82 million in funding. Read More
Poor payment experience determines choice of travel provider
News / Distribution
Poor payment experience determines choice of travel provider
By Linda Fox | March 11, 2020
A study from Amadeus highlights how the payment process continues to cause friction for travelers. Read More
Lyric lays off 25 employees, closes nearly 30% of units as part of restructuring plan
News / Online
Lyric lays off 25 employees, closes nearly 30% of units as part of restructuring plan
By Donna M. Airoldi - Business Travel News | March 9, 2020
Lyric, an apartment-style accommodation provider, has cut 25 people from its 150-person workforce and will close 179 of its 600 units nationwide amid a downsizing and restructuring. Read More
European Commission agrees to data-sharing pact with short-term rental giants
News / Distribution
European Commission agrees to data-sharing pact with short-term rental giants
By Linda Fox | March 6, 2020
Online accommodation platforms Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and Tripadvisor have agreed to share short-term rental data with the European Commission. Read More
Limehome welcomes €21M in funding to grow apart-hotel concept
News / Technology
Limehome welcomes €21M in funding to grow apart-hotel concept
By Steven Lerner | March 2, 2020
Alternative accommodations provider Limehome has raised €21 million, bringing its total funding to date to €26 million. Read More
amex-gbt-rest-assured-hotels
News / Technology
American Express GBT unveils unified accommodation platform
By Linda Fox | February 26, 2020
The travel management company aims to curb rogue hotel spend with the launch of its Rest Assured Solutions technology. Read More
Accor talks up loyalty deals, seeks new partners for some business elements
News / Distribution
Accor talks up loyalty deals, seeks new partners for some business elements
By Linda Fox | February 21, 2020
Accor highlights big plans for loyalty partners as it announces full-year results for 2019. Read More
rentals-united-tech-report
News / Technology
As short-term rental industry grows, so does use of management tech
By Mitra Sorrells | February 20, 2020
A survey by Rentals United finds short-term rental property managers are increasingly using technology.   Read More
oyo-fy19-financials
News / Distribution
International expansion swells losses for OYO to $335M
By Linda Fox | February 17, 2020
The company reported revenue of $951 million in its full-year earnings for 2019, a more than four-fold increase year-over-year. Read More
Vacasa founder Eric Breon steps aside, former OpenTable boss becomes interim CEO
News / Online
Vacasa founder Eric Breon steps aside, former OpenTable boss becomes interim CEO
By Mitra Sorrells | February 11, 2020
After 10 years as CEO of North America’s largest vacation rental management company, Breon is relinquishing the role. OpenTable CEO Matt Roberts steps in as a job search begins. Read More
What are the building blocks of direct sales for hotels?
Opinion / Distribution
What are the building blocks of direct sales for hotels?
By Pablo Delgado - Mirai | February 11, 2020
Every single hotel, without any exception, whether large or small, independent or part of a hotel chain, with a good or bad reputation, in the centre or in the suburbs, has significant potential to... Read More