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.

 alt="The ultimate checklist: How destinations can offer accessible travel experiences"  title="The ultimate checklist: How destinations can offer accessible travel experiences"
Opinion / Online
The ultimate checklist: How destinations can offer accessible travel experiences
By Richard Black - Sojern | July 1, 2024
While the travel and tourism industry is full of opportunity, it still lacks in providing accessibility to travelers with limitations. Read More
 alt="STR industry is evolving but remains ripe for opportunity"  title="STR industry is evolving but remains ripe for opportunity"
News / Distribution
STR industry is evolving but remains ripe for opportunity
By Morgan Hines | July 1, 2024
Despite constraints, STR industry heads believe there are plenty of opportunities including professionalization, consulting and more in the rapidly evolving space. Read More
 alt="OTA ranking booster Otamiser raises $3M in first funding round"  title="OTA ranking booster Otamiser raises $3M in first funding round"
News / Online
OTA ranking booster Otamiser raises $3M in first funding round
By Mileva Sapic | June 25, 2024
The startup said it will use the new capital to grow its commercial team as it aims to work with 1,000 hotels and 100,000 short-term rentals worldwide.   Read More
 alt="STR platforms stay silent while others call out consequences of Barcelona’s new ban"  title="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
 alt="Four ways travel and hospitality pros can future-proof their jobs with AI"  title="Four ways travel and hospitality pros can future-proof their jobs with AI"
Opinion / Online
Four ways travel and hospitality pros can future-proof their jobs with AI
By Shahar Goldboim - Boom | June 24, 2024
By doubling down on digitalization today, travel and hospitality professionals can gain an early insight into a technology that will completely turn their industry on its head.   Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale
By Morgan Hines | June 20, 2024
Welcome Compass uses artificial intelligence to generate a personalized digital guide for guests that can include house rules, local recommendations, check-in/check-out instructions and more. Read More
 alt="Lighthouse acquires market data specialist HQ revenue"  title="Lighthouse acquires market data specialist HQ revenue"
News / Technology
Lighthouse acquires market data specialist HQ revenue
By Linda Fox | June 20, 2024
Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) is making its fifth acquisition in recent years as it continues to roll up hotel data and distribution technology providers. Read More
 alt="Travel investment analysis shows shifts in funding, opportunities for innovation"  title="Travel investment analysis shows shifts in funding, opportunities for innovation"
News / Online
Travel investment analysis shows shifts in funding, opportunities for innovation
By Morgan Hines | June 20, 2024
F-Prime Capital partner Gaurav Tuli and Lufthansa Innovation Hub analyst Anna Schneider share their take on innovation and funding across the global travel industry, with additional perspective from a... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Stellar allows consumers to repurpose their unused reservations"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Stellar allows consumers to repurpose their unused reservations"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Stellar allows consumers to repurpose their unused reservations
By Mileva Sapic | June 17, 2024
Stellar is a marketplace committed to reselling nonrefundable and noncancellable reservations and tickets across a broad spectrum of experiences, including travel, dining, concerts and sporting events. Read More
 alt="Spanish travelers: Hotel stays flat, short-term rentals surging"  title="Spanish travelers: Hotel stays flat, short-term rentals surging"
News / Online
Spanish travelers: Hotel stays flat, short-term rentals surging
By Phocuswright Research | June 14, 2024
This Phocuswright report, based on a survey of Spanish leisure travelers, provides a comprehensive range of data and analysis on the trip life cycle for consumers in Spain.    Read More
 alt="Why niche can be nice in the massive world of online travel"  title="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
 alt="Majority of LGBTQ+ travelers experience discrimination traveling, Booking.com finds"  title="Majority of LGBTQ+ travelers experience discrimination traveling, Booking.com finds"
News / Online
Majority of LGBTQ+ travelers experience discrimination traveling, Booking.com finds
By Morgan Hines | June 12, 2024
 The research comes as part of Booking.com’s mission to “make it easier for everyone to experience the world.” Read More
 alt="How travel brands are prioritizing group travel planning"  title="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
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Trustr is a private marketplace for vacation rental discovery"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Trustr is a private marketplace for vacation rental discovery"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Trustr is a private marketplace for vacation rental discovery
By Mileva Sapic | June 5, 2024
Launching publicly Wednesday, Trustr is a vacation rental marketplace that enables its members to make properties they own available to people they know and capitalize on recommendations for places to... Read More
 alt="From security to cloud, 4 tech insights from hospitality execs"  title="From security to cloud, 4 tech insights from hospitality execs"
News / Technology
From security to cloud, 4 tech insights from hospitality execs
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2024
Executives from across the hospitality industry discuss how new and old technologies are helping and hindering the sector. Read More