Ways to boost off-season bookings for your staycation rental
When your busiest time of the year comes to an end, it might be tempting to think there’s nothing left for you to do with your vacation rentals. You may believe the demand of going on vacation has gone down and assume that you won’t receive as many reservations. However, you just need to adapt to receiving off-season bookings.
Every vacation rental has a different off-season due to location and local seasonal demand. While a ski cabin in the mountains may recognize the warm summer months as off-peak, a beach vacation rental is likely to be less popular in the cooler winter months.
Check out these important tips to boost reservations and those all-important bonus bookings in the off-season.
Define your low season
When does the low season start for your accommodation? When does your high season start? Do you have a mid-season? The answer to these questions will depend on the location of your property and the guests you host.
For instance, a vacation rental in Aspen, Colorado, will get most of its bookings during the winter months. In this case, the low season will start the moment the snow melts. On the other hand, for a tourist home in Florida, the situation will be the opposite: the arrival of summer will mark the beginning of the high season.
Your task as an owner is to know and clearly define the low season dates for your accommodation, because only then will you be able to implement an effective strategy for those months.
Adjust off-season prices
Airline tickets decline in price during the off season, and so do hotels, therefore your vacation rental ought to do the same. By adapting to the current circumstances, your vacation rental will be more appealing when guests are searching for accommodations.
Make sure to get your pricing level right for off-peak bookings. You don’t want to cut prices for weekends if you already have plenty of interest, but expensive rates could deter guests from even browsing.
So how do you set off-season rates? Remember that you don’t have to rely solely on your own judgment when setting prices; start by looking at the competition. Check out what your similar listings are offering in your area or perform a quick Google search to find other vacation rentals nearby. You could also look at online travel agencies to compare the cost per night of staying in a nearby hotel for that time of year.
Lower your minimum nights
Not only will you need to adjust the rates, but you also need to lower the minimum night stays during off-season travel. For example, if your vacation rental has a seven minimum night stay, change it to two or even allow guests to stay for just one night.
Making your booking terms and conditions more flexible can also boost your inquiries. Perhaps some travelers would like to go on a weekend getaway? Or a last-minute trip?
Offer promotions
By offering your guests added-value deals such as three nights for the price of two, or a whole week for the price of four nights, you might find you’re able to fill much more of your calendar than you originally thought. You can also include a percentage in a discounted deal such as “30% off”. This way it will be more appealing for travelers as they know they are getting a better deal. Moreover, it’s a great way to market your vacation rental.
Identify potential guests
Look at your past bookings and define the demographics of guests who prefer an off-season break. You might find it’s a mix of seniors who want to escape the crowds of high-season tourists, couples looking for a romantic fall weekend getaway, or groups of active adults wanting to enjoy outdoor pursuits without the summer heat (or winter snow!).
Once you know who your off-peak target market is, how can you make your property appeal to those guests? Think about it: if you have a six-bedroom family vacation home, couples are unlikely to book it, fearing they are paying too much for all that unused space. So consider closing off most bedrooms, then re-advertise your vacation rental as a one- or two-bedroom home at a cheaper rate.
Give reasons for guests to stay at your property
Give guests a reason to go on vacation, and more importantly, to stay in your vacation rental home. Include activities travelers can do nearby, such as hiking, mountain biking, or fun activities such as pumpkin picking – suitable for all ages! If you are situated in a city or an area where there aren’t as many things to do, offer your guests great restaurants, bars, cinemas, bowling alleys, etc.
Activate instant bookings
Bookings for accommodations during the low season tend to happen at short notice, usually because travelers find flights at an irresistible price and decide to buy them on the spot. In fact, during this time, many vacation rentals see a significant increase in last-minute bookings.
If you want to take advantage of this trend, it is essential that you are willing to accept instant bookings. The tight time frames of these trips make guests value speed more than usual: if they see that they will have to wait for you to approve their request to stay in your accommodation, they are more likely to choose another.
Start planning for the next season
Preparation is key when it comes to managing your vacation rental’s peak season. Any task you can complete in advance will minimize the inevitable workload you will have to manage when the time arrives. Low season is the ideal time to prepare for the arrival of the next high season.
If your vacation rental has a high demand in the winter, such as a cabin or ski chalet in the mountains, it is very likely that you will start receiving bookings in the fall: take this into account when preparing and promoting your accommodation.