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.

What Expedia Group's travel trends report signals for the year ahead
From Our Partners / Online
What Expedia Group's travel trends report signals for the year ahead
By PhocusWire | December 12, 2024
Expedia Group shares the results of its latest consumer trend report that combines data from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo with a study of 25,000 travelers from 19 countries. Read More
Booking sources evolving in STR industry, report says
News / Online
Booking sources evolving in STR industry, report says
By Morgan Hines | December 2, 2024
A recent survey from Hostfully found fewer bookings are coming from Airbnb, property managers are growing by adding new inventory and more managers want to use AI. Read More
Expedia Group CEO on AI across operations and building bridges
News / Online
Expedia Group CEO on AI across operations and building bridges
By Matthew Parsons | November 21, 2024
Expedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin shares how the company is testing AI in consumer facing channels as well as for marketing, partners and more during a session at The Phocuswright Conference 2024. Read More
Expedia Group B2B revenue jumps 18% in Q3, far outpacing B2C
News / Online
Expedia Group B2B revenue jumps 18% in Q3, far outpacing B2C
By Mitra Sorrells | November 7, 2024
Total revenue in the quarter was up 3% year over year to $4.1 billion, but along with strength in the B2B business the company noted an acceleration in B2C bookings and a return to growth for Vrbo. Read More
Expedia Group, Microsoft team up for loyalty initiative
News / Online
Expedia Group, Microsoft team up for loyalty initiative
By Morgan Hines | October 29, 2024
As a result of the new partnership, Bing users booking eligible accommodations will be able to earn both Microsoft Rewards and rewards offered by Expedia Group brands. Read More
How commerce media is catching on in travel
News / Online
How commerce media is catching on in travel
By Linda Fox | October 17, 2024
United, Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, Priceline, Marriott and Uber have all established media networks in recent years and are earning significant revenue from them. Read More
Alaska Airlines launches new accommodations platform with Expedia Group
News / Distribution
Alaska Airlines launches new accommodations platform with Expedia Group
By Morgan Hines | August 21, 2024
“Stays by Alaska Vacations” is the airline's latest expansion of the airline's travel product offering and tie-up with its loyalty program. Read More
Hostfully unveils AI messaging function
News / Technology
Hostfully unveils AI messaging function
By Morgan Hines | August 21, 2024
The tool, announced Wednesday, is meant to cut down the time property managers use to address guest inquiries. Read More
Expedia sees rise in Q2 earnings – but warns of “softening travel demand”
News / Online
Expedia sees rise in Q2 earnings – but warns of “softening travel demand”
By D.J. Catron | August 8, 2024
New CEO Ariane Gorin oversaw 6% increases year over year in gross bookings and revenue in Q2, but a slow July has the company expecting those numbers to fall between 3-5% for Q3. Read More
STR platforms stay silent while others call out consequences of Barcelona’s new ban
News / Online
STR platforms stay silent while others call out consequences of Barcelona’s new ban
By Morgan Hines | June 25, 2024
Some say the hotel supply in Barcelona will not be enough to fulfill demand once STRs are gone from the city and that could have a detrimental ripple effect on tourism and local residents.   Read More
Expedia Group’s next chapter – “Back to growth”
News / Online
Expedia Group’s next chapter – “Back to growth”
By Mitra Sorrells | June 24, 2024
Expedia Group's chief commercial officer and president of travel partners and media, Greg Schulze, explained the company's plans to fuel growth during a session at Phocuswright Europe. Read More
Why niche can be nice in the massive world of online travel
News / Online
Why niche can be nice in the massive world of online travel
By Morgan Hines | June 13, 2024
The wide-ranging conversation on the environment for smaller online travel sites touched on the challenges and rewards of working in a smaller, specialized space.   Read More
How travel brands are prioritizing group travel planning
News / Technology
How travel brands are prioritizing group travel planning
By Morgan Hines | June 6, 2024
Expedia Group, Airbnb, Mindtrip and many other companies are looking to simplify group travel planning. Read More
Expedia designs travel media network as “one-stop shop” for advertisers
News / Technology
Expedia designs travel media network as “one-stop shop” for advertisers
By Morgan Hines | May 24, 2024
The retail ad platform, housed within Expedia Group Media Solutions, provides new capabilities and access based on its first-party data and existing partnerships. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Ariane Gorin of Expedia Group
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Ariane Gorin of Expedia Group
By Mitra Sorrells | May 23, 2024
As Gorin moves into the CEO role at Expedia Group, she shares her thoughts on AI, social commerce, the B2B business, Vrbo and OneKey, as well as opinions on Airbnb and the TikTok ban. Read More
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