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.

vacasa google integration
News / Distribution
Google adds Vacasa to vacation rental search
By Jill Menze | September 5, 2019
In March, Google added vacation rental properties to its Hotel Search function, and it’s now adding the first vacation rental management brand to the mix through a partnership with Vacasa. Read More
Marriott picks BookingPal as exclusive tech partner for home-rental unit
News / Technology
Marriott picks BookingPal as exclusive tech partner for home-rental unit
By Jill Menze | September 3, 2019
Marriott International has selected BookingPal as the exclusive technology partner for its Homes & Villas vacation rental division. Read More
oyo-acquires-danamica
News / Technology
OYO acquires data shop Danamica to help drive dynamic pricing in rentals
By Linda Fox | September 3, 2019
OYO is seeking to refine its dynamic pricing capabilities for vacation rentals through the acquisition of Danamica. Read More
Q&A: Ritz-Carlton founder Horst Schulze on tech's role in luxury hotels
News / Technology
Q&A: Ritz-Carlton founder Horst Schulze on tech's role in luxury hotels
By Mitra Sorrells | September 3, 2019
Ritz-Carlton co-founder Horst Schulze shares his views on how the luxury category has changed, the best ways to integrate technology and his changing views on online intermediaries and crowd-sourced... Read More
Hostelworld invests $3M in accommodation tech provider Tipi
News / Technology
Hostelworld invests $3M in accommodation tech provider Tipi
By Kevin May | September 2, 2019
The investment is the first major strategic initiative at Hostelworld since Gary Morrison took over as CEO in mid-2018, following the departure of Feargal Mooney. Read More
Festicket in double acquisition for Event Genius and Ticket Arena
News / Online
Festicket in double acquisition for Event Genius and Ticket Arena
August 28, 2019
Event Genius is a ticketing and point of sale system for customers, whilst sister brand Ticket Arena is a competitor of Festicket. Read More
Startup Stage: Anyplace wants to make flexible-term housing as easy to book as hotels
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Anyplace wants to make flexible-term housing as easy to book as hotels
By Jill Menze | August 27, 2019
Anyplace is a B2C marketplace where travelers can book fully furnished accommodations on a monthly basis. Read More
Zhiketong raises $42.5M to develop WeChat-led hotel marketing tool
News / Online
Zhiketong raises $42.5M to develop WeChat-led hotel marketing tool
By Kevin May | August 27, 2019
The service is designed entirely around using the WeChat social media platform for brands. The latest round brings its total raised to date in the region of $53 million. Read More
luggagehero buys knock knock city
News / Distribution
LuggageHero buys bag-storage competitor Knock Knock City
By Jill Menze | August 26, 2019
The short-term luggage storage market is consolidating, with LuggageHero - one of PhocusWire’s Hot 25 Startups for 2019 - acquiring one of its competitors, Knock Knock City. Read More
OYO looks to recruit 1,000 in Europe as part of €300M investment in vacation arm
News / Online
OYO looks to recruit 1,000 in Europe as part of €300M investment in vacation arm
By Linda Fox | August 26, 2019
The vacation rental arm came into being following OYO’s acquisition of @Leisure for €360 million in May this year. Read More
Expedia Group fully acquires CanadaStays to boost vacation rental presence up north
News / Distribution
Expedia Group fully acquires CanadaStays to boost vacation rental presence up north
By Jill Menze | August 22, 2019
CanadaStays, with which Expedia Group has had a strategic partnership since 2015, will be integrated into the Vrbo brand. Read More
Frontdesk 2.75M funding
News / Startups
Short-term rental management startup Frontdesk gets $2.75M for aggressive expansion
By Mitra Sorrells | August 22, 2019
Short-term rental management company Frontdesk has received funding of $2.75 million to expand. Read More
What’s next for Google’s expansion into vacation rentals?
Opinion / Distribution
What’s next for Google’s expansion into vacation rentals?
By James Burrows - Rentals United | August 16, 2019
With Google entering the vacation rental market, what future developments could impact direct bookings, guest experience, customer ownership and the current ecosystem? Read More
wit mark okerstrom interview
News / Online
Mark Okerstrom on competitor moves, Expedia's strengths and what he's had to "unlearn"
By Siew Hoon Yeoh - WebInTravel | August 12, 2019
In this wide-ranging interview, the Expedia Group boss opens up about where the travel company fits in an ever-evolving tech landscape. Read More
Wyndham's RCI acquires Alliance Reservation Network for $92M
News / Online
Wyndham's RCI acquires Alliance Reservation Network for $92M
By Jill Menze | August 9, 2019
Vacation exchange network RCI has purchased travel technology platform Alliance Reservations Network to expand its reach beyond its core business. Read More
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