Vacation Rental World Just Got a Little Smaller

Business cycles are predictable. I just didn't expect this one so soon!

Today the vacationer who want to stay in a vacation rental that has some personality aka "vacation rental by owner" just had their work made easier...The industry "giant" just gobbled up the other industry giant: www.homeaway.com (the former cyberrentals, greatrentals, a1vacations, triphomes, holiday-rentals, and a few others) bought www.vrbo.com - although I received a soothing letter from the former vrbo owners, it is only a matter of time until the vacationer only need to know one name: www.homeaway.com when they want to go.

Be aware that owners are cautiously pessimistic about this merge, as we saw business from the last homeaway merger less than a year ago kill our inquiries as search engines rankings plummeted.

This owner, however is also a vacationer, so I hope their venture makes it easier to book my next vacation rental stay!

Read the article on the merger here:
Vacation rental site lands $160M, buys competitor - Austin Business Journal:

visit some alternative sites here:
www.vacationrentals.com
www.northcoastvillage.org (in Oceanside CA)
www.perfectplaces.com
www.vrconnection.com
www.licketytrip.com (for vacations in the next 2 weeks)
www.greatfamilyrentals.com (for rentals catering to families)
www.vacationrentals411.com
www.findrentals.com
www.pinkpavillions.com (for gay & lesbian travel)
www.christianhospitalitynetwork.com (for clergy and missionaries)
www.tenant.com

I hope that someone from this group emerges to keep competition strong and healthy.