Increasing Occupancy Rates For Vacation Rentals

        

Increasing booking rates for vacation rentals is a very hot topic. It is simply not an easy thing to do but it can be done with a lot of hard work and/or money.  It requires concentrated effort on the part of a very interested party, either the property owner or a manager. If you or your manager are less than 100% focused on your booking efforts, you will continue to struggle. 

Increasing occupancy not only requires a substantial expenditure of time, it also requires spending some money. Marketing is expensive but it works. Adwords, listing sites, print media, radio and many more options are available and although costs can add up quickly, marketing pays off if you can commit to long term marketing efforts.

There are a lot of free online tools for property owners and managers that can be helpful and a lot more ideas, suggestions and offers that can be tried. All these tools and methods take time and require a very hands on approach so you can monitor what is effective and what does not work.  Some online products and suggestions can lead you away from your goal so be careful, research and monitor your efforts.

Property managers can make a huge difference in your vacation rental occupancy rates. A good manager will have in depth marketing, consumer analysis, local professional associations and a GREAT online presence. If you are looking for a manager ask about marketing strategy. We recommend Vacation Rental Authority for your vacation rental management in Coeur d’Alene and north Idaho. They can be contacted at 800-679-3661 or info@vacationrentalauthority.com

Your manager should have a substantial marketing budget, remember they are marketing for many vacation rental homes. Your vacation rental property manager should have most if not all of the following;

• FREE Marketing for your Vacation Rental Home
• Multiple listing sites, at least 5
• A successful online presence
• Local networks and associations
• Print Ads
• National reach ads
• Social media
• Local search
• Review management

 

 

Your vacation rental management company should excel at marketing your vacation rental home and they should not charge you for marketing. Their job is to fill you vacation rental and they get paid when guests book. That is enough incentive.

National and international reach is also critical.  Your target market is international and you can easily reach that market with a properly organized vacation rental marketing plan.