Wondering How to Add Real Value to Your Vacation Rentals?

May 18, 2022

Have you heard? Vacation rentals are trendy! The demand for this sector is forecast to remain high (+23%) this year. This means the number of property managers and homeowners wanting to join the craze is also on the rise, with an expected 20% increase year on year. So, to appeal to the rush of guests seeking unique travel, add real value to your properties to set you apart from the competition. 

It’s only valuable to add features to your short-term rental if they’re what guests want. Ask yourself, what are guests looking for? What do they value? And most importantly, how can these additions benefit your business?

It’s simple – guests gravitate towards short-term rentals that help them get the most out of their vacation. If you offer guests great value for their money you could benefit from increased occupancy in your properties. So, here’s what you need to know…

Three value-adding features that increase vacation rental occupancy 

Go the extra mile 

The entire world received a wake-up call and a heavy reminder to live in the moment when global events shut down travel. Now we are free to travel as we please, many have shifted their priorities towards making up for lost time with amazing experiences. This especially applies to the younger generations such as Gen Z and Millennials who value memories over materialistic things. 

Show potential guests your vacation rental isn’t only where they’ll be lodging during their trip, but a place to make memories that’ll last forever. Travel Weekly predicts the industry will see a rise in large families and groups of friends traveling together this year. Appeal to these types of travelers with well-equipped kitchens, cozy communal areas and consider investing in hot tubs or fire pits to enhance group experiences. 

Flight and transport arrivals are rarely at convenient times for travelers, leaving many guests arriving at destinations way before check-in time and stuck with hefty luggage. For this reason many look for properties that offer early check-in and are happy to pay extra for this. So why not increase conversion rates and profitability by making the most of empty rooms? Plus with contactless tech, this feature comes at no extra hassle to you.

Provide experiences

Partner with local activity providers to offer guests complimentary passes, recommendations, savings, and discounted access at no extra charge to them. Free-to-guest activity programs can immediately add sought-after value to your rentals, as 30% of US and Australian travelers, and 28% of UK travelers, will be looking to pack in as many activities and experiences as possible into their holiday this year.

Tripadvisor’s travel trend report reveals having new experiences, seeing new places, and trying new foods are the most popular activities across travelers in the US, UK, Australia, Japan, and Singapore. These activities are closely followed by learning the history and culture of a destination and attending specific events and attractions. 

When connected with Xplorie, lodging providers can meet these travel demands by using in-room voice assist technology, SmartHost Through Xplorie, and being partnered with local activity providers, guests can book local experiences for every day of their trip via live Destination Guides. 

Importance-of-New-Experiences

Be on-trend 

There’s nothing hotter than sustainability right now in hospitality. Traveler awareness of individual and corporation environmental impact is swaying decisions in every part of their trip. Being eco-friendly isn’t a nice to have anymore – it’s a necessity many guests now expect property providers to follow. Partnerships with local activity providers show guests you care about the destination’s economy. It also allows them to directly contribute to the community and visit area hotspots for authentic experiences.

Booking.com found 73% of travelers want experiences that represent the local culture with 84% wanting to preserve the location’s heritage, and 76% would prefer for economic spending to be spread equally in all societal levels. 

Value is more than materialistic things

There’s been a major shift in what guests value when booking vacation and short-term rentals for trips. Lodging providers must be aware of these changing demands so they can stay ahead of the competition and boost their bookability. It’s vital to stay up to date with travel trends, go the extra mile when possible, and provide guests with what they truly want – this year, that means unforgettable travel experiences.

Xplorie

Xplorie is the leading platform in guest acquisition and retention solutions for leisure lodging providers. Since 1996, Xplorie has leveraged local and complementary activities to help lodging providers differentiate their properties, improve guest loyalty and increase top-line revenue. To learn more about how Xplorie enables lodging providers to deliver an unforgettable vacation experience to guests, visit xplorie.com/partner.