Holidays Tips For You Vacation Rental Properties
With the Christmas holidays comes the season of travel. If your vacation rental properties aren’t fully booked for your hosting holiday schedule, there’s still time to fill up those last spots. Whether you are a property manager for vacation rental properties or just an individual host, there’s plenty that you can do to have a full house this winter.
Offer Christmas Deals
Create a Value-added Guest Package
Offer a one or two night’s stay as part of a gift idea — include accommodations at your vacation rental properties, as well as a complimentary bottle of champagne and a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Present your email blast list with a gift idea that truly is one size fits all. A special date night getaway is a perfect idea for the person who has everything, or for couples who value experiences together.
Prepare a loose itinerary for a visit to your city, including local hotspots, as a getaway to relax after the whirlwind of Christmas. Offering some event invitations or gift cards in the off-peak weeks following the holidays, you can market this to guest as part of a “deal.” Include a small gift basket featuring locally made items, such as chocolates, jellies and jams, or handmade soaps.
Market Your Airbnb As A Festive Alternative To A Hotel
Are there cozy fireplaces at your vacation rental properties? What about a yard to build a snowman or have an impromptu snowball fight? Are your guests able to drive the neighborhood and admire the wacky Christmas lights? These amenities can’t be found in a standard hotel and this sets you apart. Decorate for Christmas, with a small tree, wreaths, or twinkling lights, and take new professional photos to display on your website. Send these updated shots to your email blast list — along with your special packages to promote. Don’t forget to add the photos to the listing. Highlight the experience of “coming home for Christmas… away from home.”
Make Your Vacation Rental Properties Feel Like Home
Prepare a fresh batch of Christmas cookies for your arriving guests, along with a small list of local shops and fun holiday events occurring during their stay. If you have a fireplace, make sure plenty of fragrant, long burning wood is available, along with hot chocolate packets and comfy throws for snuggling by the fire. Consider placing some classic holiday movies near the TV to help your travelers get in the holiday mood. Finally, if there are local craft fairs or specialty shops, include a couple of sample items in case your guests need some thoughtful, last-minute gifts.
Let Professionals Elevate Your Vacation Rental Properties
If you are serious about increasing your Airbnb occupancy, vacation rental software may be the best asset you can have. With the ability to remotely manage your rates, occupancy, add multiple properties and automate communication with guests, software such as AirGMS can streamline your day-to-day operations. If your listing seems flat or outdated, consider hiring a freelance marketing professional to take professional photos of your property and “punch up” the verbiage in your property description. Finally, hiring maid services to clean your Airbnb after each guest leaves will remove a task from your plate and give new guests a welcoming environment.
As you move into the offseason for winter travelers, that doesn’t mean that your place will stay empty. You know your home better than anyone — and you know what will entice people to visit your city. Using some creativity and old-fashioned hospitality, you can ensure that you have a steady stream of travelers. Let your Christmas be happy and blessed!
