There’s no time like the present to be in the vocational rental business. Though the start of the global pandemic prevented or reduced travel, the distribution of vaccines and a decline in hospitalizations have prompted people to get back out and explore. Of course, they’ll need a place to stay during their travels; however, hotels are often packed and overpriced. Vacation rentals provide travelers with a practical solution, providing them with all the comforts of home and an affordable rate.
While owning a vacation rental can work in your favor, the key to generating income boils down to quality customer service and experiences. Satisfied travelers will likely return in the future and recommend your property to others. How can you ensure you’re providing the best customer service and experience? Consider these suggestions below.
Advertise On Multiple Platforms
A customer’s experience starts when they access information about your vacation rental. If your rental isn’t easily accessible, filling a vacancy is challenging. Search for the most popular and easy-to-use vacation rental marketplaces to post your listings. Then incorporate other forms of marketing like social media, blog posts, videos, flyers, etc.
Reasonable Rates And Discounts
One of the factors travelers use to select a place to stay is affordability. Since living accommodations take a large portion of a travel budget, consumers try to find ways to save so they have more money to spend on activities, food, and other sources of entertainment.
If you’re going to attract short-term tenants to your vacation rental, you must ensure reasonable rates. As many factors impact the vacation rental market, owners are encouraged to use a dynamic pricing tool to help them price their rentals fairly. There are several platforms, so make a comparison like Beyond Pricing vs. Pricelabs to make the best choice.
Another incentive that travelers appreciate is discounts. Consider some promotional options to get consumers excited about your vacation rental. You can take a percentage off for travelers who book five or more nights, charge less during the week, or reduce the price for travelers that pay in advance.
Safety And Comfort
When travelers reserve a vacation rental, they expect to stay in a safe and comfortable place. The property should be clean from top to bottom. Its condition should be up to code, and any maintenance and repair issues should be resolved before you start hosting guests.
If you live far from your vacation home or simply don’t have time to oversee the day-to-day tasks, you may want to hire a property manager. A property manager will ensure that the rental is prepped and ready for guests to arrive. They can collaborate with contractors and inspectors to ensure that all maintenance and repairs are handled efficiently. More importantly, they’re local, so that they can resolve any immediate guest issues.
Amenities And Guest Services
How do you make your vacation rental stand out and enhance your guests’ experiences? You add amenities and services to make their stay more enjoyable. Adding flatscreen televisions, gaming consoles, laptops, office furniture, and other features to the space provides guests with in-house entertainment and workspace.
Making your swimming pool, spa, or outdoor kitchen and deck available for guests is another amenity they’ll appreciate. Finally, ensure that the kitchen and bathrooms are fully stocked with everything from cookware and utensils to towels and washcloths.
If you want to take things a step further, you can add services at a small fee. Such services might include housekeeping, turning down the beds, laundry and dry cleaning, and dog walking. These offerings enable guests to focus on their trip and have a good time instead of tending to everyday tasks and chores.
You’d be surprised to learn how many people invest in vacation rentals that don’t generate a profit. Although several contributing factors apply, one of the most significant aspects is the customer experience. Property owners focus more on trying to fill vacancies that they overlook the importance of ensuring their guests enjoy themselves. As happy guests lead to future bookings, use the suggestions listed above to enhance their experience.
