Vrbo News

Vrbo has emerged as a major player in the short-term rental space, serving families and group travelers with a platform focused on whole-home accommodations. At PhocusWire, we bring you the latest Vrbo news, examining the company’s strategy, platform innovations, and its impact on the evolving home-sharing economy.

Vrbo vacation rental updates and home sharing market trends

Our reporting explores Vrbo’s product enhancements, marketing shifts, and partnerships within the broader Expedia Group ecosystem. From traveler experience upgrades and host tools to policy changes and regulatory challenges, we follow how Vrbo is positioning itself in a highly competitive vacation rental landscape.

PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Vrbo, IBS Software, TourRadar and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Vrbo, IBS Software, TourRadar and more...
By PhocusWire | October 31, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
60% of U.S. property managers predict revenue growth amid ongoing challenges
News / Online
60% of U.S. property managers predict revenue growth amid ongoing challenges
By Abby Crotty | October 24, 2025
With competition already tough and set to become even more intense in 2026, revenue is top of mind for STRs. Read More
The five developments driving the evolution of U.S. OTAs
News / Online
The five developments driving the evolution of U.S. OTAs
By Phocuswright Research | October 13, 2025
Amid cooling domestic demand, U.S. OTAs are adapting to a more competitive and uncertain landscape. Read More
Expedia partners with Perplexity for Comet launch
News / Technology
Expedia partners with Perplexity for Comet launch
By Morgan Hines | October 6, 2025
Expedia is offering Silver status in its OneKey loyalty program in exchange for users downloading Comet’s recently launched browser. Read More
How much opportunity is there for STR ancillaries? Experts weigh in
News / Online
How much opportunity is there for STR ancillaries? Experts weigh in
By Morgan Hines | August 22, 2025
Executives from Safely and Interhome highlighted the lucrative potential of ancillaries for STRs during a studio interview at Phocuswright Europe. Read More
Expedia Group reports stronger results in Q2 amid ongoing U.S. headwinds
News / Online
Expedia Group reports stronger results in Q2 amid ongoing U.S. headwinds
By Abby Crotty | August 7, 2025
While numbers improved overall, second quarter results were still tempered by “soft demand” in the United States. Read More
OTA marketing spend rose in Q1 2025
News / Online
OTA marketing spend rose in Q1 2025
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2025
As Airbnb, Booking Holdings, Expedia Group and Trip.com Group continue to up marketing spend, PhocusWire looks at what they're saying about these investments. Read More
Rapid Fire with Shilpa Ranganathan of Expedia Group
News / Online
Rapid Fire with Shilpa Ranganathan of Expedia Group
By Morgan Hines | May 29, 2025
As we count down to Phocuswright Europe, PhocusWire is shining the spotlight on a selection of conference speakers in a series of Q&As. Read More
Expedia Group’s Ariane Gorin opens up about first year as CEO
News / Online
Expedia Group’s Ariane Gorin opens up about first year as CEO
By Morgan Hines | May 21, 2025
Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, looks back on her first year in the role in an interview with PhocusWire. Read More
Ancillaries in the vacation rentals sector: 'The new frontier'?
News / Distribution
Ancillaries in the vacation rentals sector: 'The new frontier'?
By Abby Crotty | May 19, 2025
Guests are looking for more from their vacations—what will it take for the STR sector to fully embrace alternative revenue streams? Read More
Expedia Group leans into B2B arm, adding new APIs, advertising capabilities
News / Technology
Expedia Group leans into B2B arm, adding new APIs, advertising capabilities
By Morgan Hines | May 14, 2025
The B2B expansion and new AI tools come on the heels of Expedia Group's Q1 earnings last week, which fell within company guidance. Read More
97% of STR hosts say tech is “critical” to success
News / Technology
97% of STR hosts say tech is “critical” to success
By Abby Crotty | May 12, 2025
Hospitable surveyed 566 short-term rental hosts across different management types, including self-managers, co-hosts and property managers.  Read More
Expedia feels pinch of drop in inbound U.S. travel, Canada bookings fall 30% in Q1
News / Online
Expedia feels pinch of drop in inbound U.S. travel, Canada bookings fall 30% in Q1
By Morgan Hines | May 8, 2025
The company also announced a new AI-powered tool to turn Instagram Reels into travel inspiration, recommendations and itineraries. Read More
Report—The short-term rental guest: 2025 trends, insights and research
From Our Partners / Online
Report—The short-term rental guest: 2025 trends, insights and research
By Cathy Walsh | April 15, 2025
This report is based on findings from a study of the short-term rental market in the United States conducted by Phocuswright in partnership with Expedia Group and other travel leaders. Read More
Vrbo plans greater traveler targeting through marketing tech
News / Online
Vrbo plans greater traveler targeting through marketing tech
By Linda Fox | April 4, 2025
Vrbo is focusing on growth, more dynamic and personalized offers and property quality. Read More