Vacation Owner: Get an Edge on the Competition
Owning a vacation rental can be both rewarding and hard work. The market is very competitive, with more and more rentals available in popular tourist destination, as people look for more comfortable and better value accommodation. Vacation rental owners need to be proactive when it comes to managing their property to gain an edge on the competition.
Get Digital
No vacation owner should be without an online presence. However, just having your property online isn’t enough to stay ahead of the competition. Just listing your property on a big vacation rental website won’t cut it anymore. Your property will be mixed in with thousands of vacation rentals all around the world. And while you should be listing here, you should never stop there and think this will result in full weeks of rental. In addition to your standard listing on one of these big sites it is extremely important to have a dedicated website of your own. This website should have high quality photos showing off the different rooms, views, and outdoor spaces. The website should also include in-depth details about your vacation rental. Often people overlook this vital element when listing their property. They list the main features, but leave out lots of information. You want to give your customers the most information possible. Providing lots of details shows that you really care about your guests and have taken the time to consider what types of things they would want to know.
Another important feature that will put you at an advantage is to make sure your website includes a booking engine. This allows people to check if your property is available for their travel dates. It also allows them to book there and then, instead of leaving while they wait for you to reply, and possibly finding somewhere else that allowed them to book immediately.
Other glowingly important digital outlets are Twitter and Facebook. Building these up take time, but can be worthwhile. Try becoming an expert in your area, so for example a vacation rental owner in Ocho Rios, Jamaica would try to become knowledgeable on all this relating to tourism in the area. They can then network on their social accounts with travel writers, travel blogs, etc. Making connections with these people can mean you could be mentioned in an article. There are also a great way to interact with your potential guests.
Invest in Your Guests
Your guests are the most important key to your rental property success. Go the extra mile when it comes to them. This means providing extra personal services, such as cleaning during their stay, helping them with activity reservations, and even transfers to and from the airport. The key is to cover everything, so they can simply enjoy their vacation. Don’t be afraid to lower your margins to please your guests. Not cutting corners will make you stand out from other more greedy vacation rental owners. Wonderful service will ensure your guests come back or recommend your property to their friends and family. You don’t need to be the cheapest property in your area, you need to offer excellent value for the type of property you have. Often many welcoming services can be done without significantly more financial outlay.
Some ways you can consider to go this extra mile include a welcome pack with some basics like bread, milk, butter, tea, and coffee; something from the local area. Another is having a few essential toiletries. Both of these will be welcomed by guest who have traveled some way and want to relax or have forgotten something.
Don’t forget that your guests may want an activity they can do at home in the evenings or for a rainy day. Make sure you provide things like board games, puzzles, books, and DVDs. You’d be surprised how many rental owners overlook this, yet it can make a huge difference to your guests overall experience. Always stay proactive, preparing for any eventuality and exceeding your guests expectations.
Be Unique
Give your house its own charm and character. Perhaps decorate it with local style furniture or artwork. People are looking for something more comfortable and welcoming, not the same old bland décor you find in every hotel room. Keep your property looking fresh and technology up to date. Tired looking furnishing can give the impression your property isn’t clean, even if you keep it perfect. People are more likely to book.
Contact me of you have any questions about visiting JJamaica or staying in my beautiful villa in Ocho Rios