Although summer vacations have ended and children have returned to school, this does not mean there is nothing left for you to accomplish in your vacation rental business. You may believe that the vacation demand has decreased and that you will not receive as many reservations. Nonetheless, you simply need to adjust to this ‘quieter’ period.
Because of local seasonal demand, each vacation property has a separate low season. While a ski house in the mountains may consider the pleasant summer months off-season, a beach vacation property is likely less popular during the colder winter months.
Your responsibility as a vacation rental owner is to determine when your low season occurs and implement your off-peak marketing strategy accordingly.
Check out these eight essential suggestions to learn how to increase those all-important extra bookings during the low season.
You will need to change not only the pricing but also the minimum night stays during off-season trips. For example, if your vacation rental requires a minimum of seven nights, reduce it to two or even enable customers to stay for just one night.
Making your booking conditions more flexible can help increase the number of queries. Maybe some of the travelers would like to go on a weekend getaway? Or perhaps a last-minute trip?
You might find that by providing your visitor’s added-value bargains like three nights for the price of two or a whole week for the price of four nights, you’re able to fill far more of your calendar than you previously imagined. A reduced deal can also include a percentage, such as “30% off.” This will make it more appealing to travelers because they would know they are receiving a better value. Furthermore, it is an excellent method of marketing your holiday property.
Special offers are an excellent reason to contact previous guests or follow up on inquiries that did not result in bookings. After all, everyone enjoys a good deal!
Airline tickets and hotel rates drop during the off-season, so your vacation rental should do the same. By adapting to the present situation, your vacation rental will blend in while guests are looking for a place to stay.
Make sure your pricing level is correct for off-peak reservations. You don’t want to lower your costs for weekends if you already have a lot of interest, but a price that is too high may dissuade guests from even looking.
So, how do you determine off-season rates? Remember that while setting rates, you don’t have to rely only on your judgment; instead, look at the competitors. Look at vacation rental websites and listing sites for properties in your area to see what your competitors are offering, or do a fast Google search to find other vacation rentals nearby. You might also check internet travel agents to see how much it would cost per night to stay in a nearby hotel at that time of year.
It’s also important to note, that if you’re unable to do it, you can look for someone willing to do Airbnb rental arbitrage.
Examine your previous bookings to identify the demographics of clients that prefer an off-season getaway. Seniors hoping to avoid the crowds of high-season tourists, romantic couples searching for a pleasant autumnal weekend, or active groups of adults looking to enjoy outdoor pursuits without the summer heat (or winter snow! ), are all possibilities.
How can you make your home appealing to these guests once you’ve identified your off-peak target market? Consider this: if you have a six-bedroom family vacation home, couples are unlikely to book it for fear of overpaying for all that vacant space. Consider shutting off most of the bedrooms and re-advertising your vacation rental as a one or two-bedroom home at a lower price.
Give guests a reason to visit your vacation rental house and, more significantly, to remain there. Include neighboring activities such as hiking, mountain biking, or fun activities such as pumpkin picking – suitable for all ages! If you are in a city or area where there aren’t as many things to do, provide your guests with amazing restaurants, bars, theaters, bowling alleys, and so on.
Investigate local events and festivals in your area; think outside the box on this one! Is your town known for its Oktoberfest celebrations? Whatever you come up with, you can be sure someone is seeking the ideal location to stay. When promoting during the off-season, make sure to include these in your listing.
Keep in mind that there are vacation days available during the off-season. Although each European country has its own set of holidays, many people use this opportunity to travel.
In the United Kingdom, for example, students receive two weeks off from October to November. This year, it takes place from the 18th of October to the 3rd of November. This is a popular time for families to travel overseas with their children. As a result, you enjoy a peak season during your low season.
Thanksgiving is also a time for family to reunite and rejoice in the United States. Over 50 million Americans traveled to celebrate Thanksgiving last year. If you have a large property with a full kitchen and living area, your rental will be at the top of travelers’ lists. Furthermore, according to HomeAway research, the optimum time to book a Thanksgiving holiday rental is before October 2nd. Make sure your vacation rental is ready for this holiday.
Take this opportunity to reflect on your company’s performance. Did you obtain the number of reservations you expected? Why not, if not? How can you improve overall and for the upcoming peak season? Conduct a year-end review of your vacation rental. Use this time to update your vacation rental property, whether it needs a makeover, new furnishings, or simply fresh décor.
Promote features that your out-of-season guests will like. Consider photos of fall foliage or a small coating of snow, as well as interiors with a nice log fire, spice-scented candles, a selection of board games and novels, a fall wreath on the door, or hot chocolate warming on the stove. Make sure to include soft duvets in the bedrooms, as well as scarves and hats near the front door.
Use the off-season to be ready for the busy season. If your vacation rental is in great demand in the winter, such as a mountain lodge or ski chalet, vacationers will begin looking for their vacation rental in October. Remember that some guests may prefer to spend Christmas in a snowy and festive setting. Use this opportunity to prepare everything and sell your house.
On the other hand, some guests may prefer to go to a warmer area for Christmas because it may be freezing in their native country. If your vacation rental is a beach house and the high season is in the summer, discover creative ways to entice guests to stay with you in the winter. Perhaps they would prefer to spend Christmas at the beach or elsewhere in the warmth and heat.
When it comes to managing your vacation rental’s peak season, preparation is everything. Any duty you can finish ahead of time will reduce the unavoidable workload you’ll have to manage when the time comes.
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