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.

VIDEO: Change is everywhere in alternative accommodation
News / Online
VIDEO: Change is everywhere in alternative accommodation
By PhocusWire | October 7, 2021
Not only is the sector now a mainstream form of accommodation but it has proven to be one that is at center of fundamental discussions around what is hospitality. Read More
VIDEO: Customer acquisition in alternative accommodation
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Customer acquisition in alternative accommodation
By PhocusWire | September 30, 2021
The promise of convenience and not having to rub shoulders with other guests was enough to give the sector a much-needed boost after traveler volumes collapsed at the onset of COVID-19. Read More
airbnb-transparent-pricing-test
News / Online
After transparency shift in Europe, Airbnb tests new display globally
By Mitra Sorrells | September 30, 2021
In the coming weeks Airbnb will test different ways to display pricing for some properties in markets around the globe, to show a rate inclusive of fees in the initial search listing. Read More
A temperature check on vacation rentals
Opinion / Online
A temperature check on vacation rentals
By Marcus Rader - Hostaway | September 22, 2021
Vacation rentals were the undoubtable success story of the travel industry in the first year of the pandemic. But it's a useful time to reflect on reality. Read More
Expedia Group brings loyalty programs into a single platform
News / Online
Expedia Group brings loyalty programs into a single platform
By Kevin May | September 21, 2021
The company says all brands and products will be in the program, covering flights, hotels, alternative accommodation, car rentals, cruises and activities. Read More
Vrbo expands program to woo Airbnb hosts, claims thousands have already joined
News / Online
Vrbo expands program to woo Airbnb hosts, claims thousands have already joined
By Kevin May | September 16, 2021
The Fast Start program began in the U.S. in March 2021 and is designed to help experienced hosts who haven't joined the site yet increase their visibility and earnings. Read More
transparent-rental-review-data
News / Online
The power of reviews in the short-term rental sector
By Mitra Sorrells | August 30, 2021
Quantity and quality of reviews matter for alternative accommodations, and new data shows those factors vary based on the size of properties being managed. Read More
Opportunity for rental arbitrage remains in U.S. cities
News / Distribution
Opportunity for rental arbitrage remains in U.S. cities
By Linda Fox | August 16, 2021
Demand for multifamily short-term rentals in U.S. cities is rising, and tech providers are helping owners and renters take advantage of the opportunity. Read More
expedia-group-q2-2021
News / Online
Expedia Group Q2 revenue tops $2B driven by U.S. hotel and vacation rental bookings
By Mitra Sorrells | August 5, 2021
Expedia Group CEO Peter Kern expressed concern about growing uncertainty due to newer COVID variants. Read More
rentals-business-travel-sonder
News / Online
Will standardized rentals work for business travelers?
By Mitra Sorrells | August 2, 2021
A subset of alternative accommodations - ones that provide a standardized experience for travelers - could become more popular with business travelers coming out of the pandemic. Read More
Vacasa plots public listing through SPAC merger
News / Online
Vacasa plots public listing through SPAC merger
By Kevin May | July 30, 2021
Trading under the ticker VCSA, publicly listed Vacasa is forecast to have a valuation of $4.5 billion as a result of the IPO and will generate $485 million in cash proceeds. Read More
VIDEO: The next chapter or a new tale for a travel giant?
News / Online
VIDEO: The next chapter or a new tale for a travel giant?
By PhocusWire | July 26, 2021
Ariane Gorin, president of Expedia for Business, shares her vision for what comes next in a discussion with Phocuswright's Lorraine Sileo. Read More
big-chair-dori-stein
Interview / Distribution
In The Big Chair - Dori Stein of Fornova
By Mitra Sorrells | July 1, 2021
Dori Stein is one of the founders of hotel distribution intel service Fornova and has been CEO since 2015. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 70 - Jeremy Gall of FlipKey
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 70 - Jeremy Gall of FlipKey
By PhocusWire | June 25, 2021
There are not many startups that manage to sign a partnership agreement with a big brand before they even launch, but the Tripadvisor-FlipKey deal was a smart one on many levels, as Jeremy Gall... Read More
Number of companies managing vacation rentals grows to more than 140,000
News / Technology
Number of companies managing vacation rentals grows to more than 140,000
By Linda Fox | June 17, 2021
Property management systems continue to be the preferred tech for vacation rental management companies. Read More
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