I want to help my guests understand about the advantages of “bypassing third-party channels to book directly with management companies and homeowners”.
Not only are holiday rental owners facing the same issues regarding the often high commissions set by listing sites, but also guests themselves frequently end up paying more for the same stay.
This new, annual campaign will kick off on February 7th, 2018 with a Twitter movement to get the hashtag #BookDirect trending. Lodgify will join VRM Intel and other websites such as TripsIn.com, Triptease.com and Tripz.com to support the campaign and promote the #BookDirect message to our audience. You can help here too – if you use Twitter or Facebook – by using the #BookDirect hashtag please.
A large percentage of guests who book their vacation rentals on household name sites are unaware that they aren’t booking directly with the owner. The aim of this day is to actively educate guests about the other ways they can find accommodation options – without listing sites.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A VACATION RENTAL WEBSITE
As you can see – this IS an owner created and led website for my own properties.
I LOVE to give my guests the best experience possible. For me this means with PERSONAL CONTACT. Getting to know your wants and needs, or special circumstances and holiday wishes. I want to give prominence to the value of booking directly and booking local.
1. BOOK DIRECT TO SAVE MONEY
Big sites such as Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO and TripAdvisor add a high percentage of booking fees to the reservation total. Booking directly with the owner or manager cuts out any middle-man or commissions.
2. BOOK DIRECT FOR DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE MANAGER OR OWNER
Only when booking directly are guests guaranteed direct contact with the person responsible for the property. This means they can get in touch – without obligation – to inquire about services and amenities before committing.
3. THE BEST PRICE ISN’T ON THE OTAS
Contrary to popular belief, OTAs and aggregator sites (such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia etc.) don’t actually provide the best price for travelers. Guests can save hundreds on commissions by booking direct and booking local.
4. LOTS OF THE BEST VACATION RENTALS AREN’T LISTED ON THE MAJOR SITES
Due to the high costs associated with using big sites, some of the best homes with the highest demand aren’t even listed. Take popular beach resorts as an example – only 30% of homes available for rent can be found on these websites. Guests shouldn’t limit their search to OTAs and aggregators, or they could be missing out on the best properties.
5. MANAGERS AND OWNERS HAVE IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DESTINATION
When booking direct, managers and owners can become a kind of free destination guide. They know the best activities, restaurants and service providers. They may even have local partnerships or discount deals which can save travellers more money.
6. IF GUESTS HAVE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, A MANAGER OR OWNER CAN HELP
Whether the family needs an accessible vacation rental or a pet-friendly option, a manager or owner will work with the guest directly to meet all their needs before they commit to a booking.
7. OWNERS AND MANAGERS WILL HAVE MORE SPECIAL OFFERS DURING NON-PEAK TRAVEL TIMES
When travelers communicate directly with the owner or manager, they will be the first to find out about special offers, discounts or exclusive deals.
So please, Keep it Personal and Local! #BookDirect!
Thank you.
Gayle Palmer is here to help you make the best holiday memories you can. Trust us.
© Chichester Self Catering 2018
