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.

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

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

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

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

News / Technology

Travel tech pros put sustainability behind economy as key challenges for 2020

By Linda Fox | February 10, 2020

A Travel Technology Europe survey highlights economic uncertainty as the greatest challenge facing the industry - but sustainability and climate change follow close behind. Read More

News / Online

Phocuswright Europe - the 2020 theme: Travel's Next Era

By PhocusWire | February 6, 2020

Phocuswright Europe is a place where online travel's smartest audience connects to share ideas, debate topics and showcase what's next. Read More

News / Online

H2O Hospitality adds $7M in funding to sustain quarterly revenue growth

By Steven Lerner | February 4, 2020

The new round will be used to support the company’s fast-growing working capital needs. Read More

News / Technology

Wishbox secures $2.5M to help property managers win upsells

By Steven Lerner | February 4, 2020

The company says the funding will be used to accelerate global expansion and to develop more opportunities for property managers to offer value to their guests. Read More

News / Online

OYO acquires TUI's rental tour operating business

By Kevin May | February 3, 2020

The move comes as part of a sale that began in December 2019 when Germany-based E-Domizil acquired Wolters Reisen from TUI Group for an undisclosed fee. Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: OffWeGo streamlines safety features for traveling students

By Steven Lerner | February 3, 2020

OffWeGo is a student-centric solution addressing the large information gap while students are traveling on university-sponsored programs. Read More

Opinion / Online

As web cookies fade, travel brands must create a robust identity strategy

By Charles Mi - Adara | January 31, 2020

Recent announcements and others expected in the coming months could diminish cookie volume online - so travel brands need to evaluate new methodologies for personalization and consumer insights. Read More

News / Online

How technology and eco-friendly practices are helping short-term rentals go green

By Jill Menze | January 31, 2020

Along with other corners of the travel sector, the short-term rental industry is starting to steer its attention toward sustainability efforts as players take stock of their impact on the environment... Read More

Opinion / Technology

The convergence of smart travel, smart stays and smart cities

By Michael Driedger - Operto | January 30, 2020

The answers to smarter travel are also the answers to smarter cities and smarter systems. By making simple planning choices we can create a "smarter" outcome. Read More