Our New Linens Service from Standard Textile in Conjunction with Marriott.

It’s great to be able to share some exciting news with homeowners this month. We’ve joined a new programme on preferential terms which enables us to source hotel-quality linens quickly and competitively. We’re eligible for the special terms thanks to our partnership with Marriott.

Standard Textile has been supplying Marriott hotels with high quality bed and bath linens for many years. The long-standing relationship is based on Standard Textile’s commitment to the quality of its products and delivery of service. The textile company now supplies 30 of Marriott’s hotel brands with bedding and bath products and is a preferred partner of merit.

About Standard Textile

Standard Textile estimates that more than 100 million people sleep on its sheets each year – many as a result of the company’s partnership with Marriott. In fact, it receives many enquiries every year from people who have enjoyed sleeping on Marriott linens so much, they want to recreate that hotel quality in their own home.

What’s so exciting with this programme is that you can now offer all your guests that same hotel-style sleep experience!

Standard Textile ranges include bath and bedding products and they already qualify for best volume pricing – no matter how many or how few you order – under the Marriott scheme. Given the prestige of the brand, it’s really exciting to be able to offer you their high-quality products at these preferential rates through our partnership with Marriott.

What bath and bedding products are available?

This week I was treated to a whistle-stop tour of some of Standard Textile’s most popular products for the hospitality sector – ranging from best premium quality through mid-range and performance products to affordable options at an entry price point.

The range includes:

• 100% cotton bed sheets and pillowcases
• 100% cotton duvet covers in a range of block colours
• Blended bedding options for excellent washing performance
• Incredibly soft, shrink-resistant towels
• Specialist makeup towels to minimise the problem of stains
• Larger pool and spa towels
• Bathmats that stay in place without the need for rubber backing
• Beautiful cotton bed covers with textured surfaces that eliminate the need for ironing
• Eco-friendly duvet inserts with filling made from recycled plastic bottles
• A huge range of pillows
• Pillow pads and protectors
• Super-soft cashmere throws
• Soft, all-season and washable blankets in a range of colours

I’m especially excited by the washable duvet inserts made from recycled plastic bottles. It’s great to see a company doing what it can to close the loop on this problematic product supply chain.

What to do next

If you’d like to know more about any of the options above, please get in touch. I’m really happy to share more information about the products and/ or the ordering process.

You can also see the full range of bath and bedding products on the Standard Textile website, under the hospitality menu item.

We need your help!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Standard Textile ranges and which you’d like to see in your home.

Please browse the website and let me know which products you like or are interested in for your own property.

Thank you for your feedback. It’s always appreciated and helps us serve you better.

White Rose Villas is currently investing in some great new branding for the vehicles used by our housekeeping and maintenance teams – and we’d like you to get involved!

Could you design a new image for our housekeeping and maintenance vehicles?

If so, you could be in with a chance to win free property maintenance for a property for three months, courtesy of our team. That’s what we’re offering the one lucky winner of our new van wrap design competition.

Plus, of course, you’ll get the chance to see your design driving around your resort!

We’ve shared some suggested designs with you here on the blog. If you think you can do better, simply send us your ideas by email by no later than July 20th 2021.

If our team picks your design, we’ll credit your homeowners account with three months of property maintenance. We’ll announce the lucky winner in another blog at the end of July.

Get drawing and good luck!

Attention all homeowners! We’re currently in talks with a security company about some new, more robust pool alarms. We’re encouraging all homeowners to have them fitted. Please read on to find out why.

Earlier this month, we received extremely sad news about a drowning on the Windsor Hills resort community. While this thankfully didn’t affect any of our homeowners directly or involve any of the homes we manage, we are keen to do what we can to ensure that we never receive such sad news about one of our properties.

We want to support you to do everything you can to keep your guests safe.

To that end, we’ve been in contact with a local security company with a view to beefing up pool safety for our guests. We’re recommending that homeowners fit an integrated pool alarm on the pool access doors.

If you don’t currently have a pool alarm, or the one you do have is battery operated, please consider fitting one of these in your homes.

As well as making your property safer for guests, these pool alarms come with the added benefit that they prevent guests from leaving the pool doors open. This means that any air conditioning that’s running won’t be trying to cool down the outside areas – saving you from excessive electricity bills!

Why should I fit a pool alarm?

A pool alarm sounds an alarm whenever the pool access door is opened without first pressing the alarm button located beside the door. It is designed for guests who are travelling with young children, so they stay alert to where their kids are in the home at any one time. Simply, it means that should a young child open the door to the pool without an adult with them to press the button, the alarm will sound and the parents can swiftly get poolside.

We think its a great addition that really makes a difference for families travelling with toddlers and small children – both in terms of safety and peace of mind.

Why should I swap my battery-operated pool alarm for a hard-wired pool alarm?

The security company we are speaking with highly recommends a hard-wired design. It means that you don’t need to worry about batteries running out and the alarm not working.

Dead batteries in an alarm could make the property less safe as the unworking pool alarm would give parents have a false sense of security that they will be notified if the pool doors are opened.

Since a hard-wired alarm can’t run out of batteries, you avoid this safety issue.

You will save on any battery-related callouts, as well. If our groundcrew are called out to change the batteries in your pool alarm, you’ll be charged for a callout as well as for the batteries – just a few of these events would pay for the hard-wired alarm to be fitted!

How does the alarm work?

The alarm unit is mounted on the wall beside the pool door at adult height, so children can’t reach it to press the button.

The alarm runs to the nearest outlet/ electricity socket, where a transformer will be screwed into the outlet with a security screw so that it can’t be removed.

You’ll need an alarm for each door that accesses the pool area. You can also choose to have a unit added upstairs if you wish to ensure the alarm is heard around the property.

The alarms are designed to be very loud and screeching. It’s designed that way to ensure that it will be heard – even if you’re in the shower with an earful of water!

The security company is currently working to a two to three-week lead time because they are very busy fitting the alarms for homes at present. So the sooner you can let us know your interest, the better.

What will it cost to have the hard-wired pool alarm fitted in my home?

The first unit is charged at $295.

If you need a second unit for another pool door, this is also charged at $295.

Subsequent units (if you have more than two pool access doors) are charged at $245.

If you need power to run elsewhere (e.g. upstairs) this would incur and additional charge of $99.

Anything else I need to know?

The security company also recommends Infinite patio cal-locks for slider doors. This is a double-bolt system that requires the user to lift it up and down simultaneously to open the door. They are $69 installed and they can be installed at the same time as the pool alarms. As well as working to child-proof the access doors, these cal-locks also help prevent would-be thieves from being able to shimmy the sliding door.

What next?

If you would like to install either of these security features in your home, please reach out to our team. We’re taking bookings now, and we’re happy to answer any further questions you might have about the alarms and locks.

Yes, it’s here again: recurring on the first Wednesday in February, it’s time to get this very important message across to your guests. Tell them of the many advantages to be gained by booking direct and abandoning third-party channels e.g. Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, TripAdvisor and Expedia.

Many guests (and owners) are rightly dismayed at the ever-increasing (often hidden) guest/traveller fees piled on by these platforms; how can they be justified when owners and managers are offering exactly the same properties at much more competitive rates, with a highly safe and personalised service?

What if hundreds of vacation rental providers sent out the same message on the same day explaining the benefits of booking direct? Hence, four years ago, #BookDirect Guest Education day was born. The campaign is intended to post multiple messages across social and email channels, to potential guests, promoting the many reasons to book their vacation rental direct with owners or managers. It only takes a few thousand mentions on these social channels in one day to create a ‘trend.’ Many frequent travellers will probably receive multiple similar messages from owners and managers they’ve booked with previously.

We at White Rose Villas are working with our direct partners to offer great discounted rates across our wonderful property portfolio; we’re certainly doing our best to maximise your booking opportunities!

However, it will only work if we all, owners and managers alike, post on 3rd February using the hashtag #BookDirect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. So, it’s up to you; get posting/emailing and join us to participate in a tremendously beneficial campaign to fill your homes and help make 2021 a much more successful year for us all!

September is always a quiet month in Orlando, but this year has been quieter than most.  However, the parks are doing everything they can to tempt guests back whilst ensuring the safety of staff and guests.

There is plenty of Halloween fun to be enjoyed in Orlando’s theme parks this year, so what can you do to tempt guests back and maximise your vacation home’s autumn revenues?

1// Remove risk

Uncertainty prevails right now. Remove the risk for potential guests by offering flexible cancellation terms.

If you can, funnel your bookings through our booking agent partner, Ellis Exclusive Villas. This way they benefit from the Master Cancel guarantee. They can cancel anytime between 60 and 2 days before departure and receive a full refund. The owner still receives payment for the rental.

This gives people confidence to book in these uncertain times. Read more about the scheme here.

Share details of the scheme with your guests using this link: www.ellisexclusivevillas.com/additional-confidence-booking-vacation/

2// Be flexible on budget

It might sound too simplistic, but often the neatest solutions are the most simple.

If your home isn’t booking out, but you know others nearby are, check the rates.  If your neighbour has slashed their prices for fall, then you’re going to struggle to book at full price – no matter how nice your home is.

Be prepared to be flexible on price. If a guest enquires about a discount, remember you can always counter offer.  And make any deal time-limited to encourage your guest to book with you quickly so you can secure their booking before they start widening their search.

3// Remind people what they’re missing

The parks are open.

And who doesn’t feel like they need a holiday right now? 

The stress of the pandemic and the lockdowns have been tough on everyone. Staying in a vacation home – especially those implementing enhanced cleaning regimes and time breaks between bookings – is a really safe way to get away from it all.

Whether your guests simply want to laze by the pool, explore the theme parks, or simply need a change of scenery, use your marketing efforts to show them all the fun they could be having.

4// Target the local market

Air passenger traffic remains a long way short of normal. Consumer confidence remains low for flying and changing travel bans are further damaging the international travel market.

By focusing on in-State travellers and other vacationers from the USA, you will be speaking to a much more receptive market.

Local travel comes with much less risk since the likelihood of facing quarantine measures is very low, but guests continue to value an opportunity to get away from it all. By focusing your marketing efforts on the local market, you can help to boost conversion rates.

5// Use social media

Social media requires little investment, but quite some commitment.

Making time to post regularly and keep your mailing list updated will pay dividends.

It may seem like an extra unnecessary effort when the likelihood of booking is small, but this is exactly the time to ramp up your efforts.

Be positive, post plenty of enticing photography, and focus on the local market.

We’ll be adopting all these techniques and more on your behalf through the fall season.  If you have any questions about marketing or occupancy rates, please reach out to our team.

Similarly, if you’d like to talk to us about optimising rates to maximise bookings, our team can assist – just give us a call.

As Florida holiday rentals open up, flights and borders will hopefully follow soon. We at White Rose Villas would like to inform both past and future guests of the measures we have implemented to enable you to book and stay with confidence.

Times may have changed, and we’ve all had to adjust to a new normal, but your health, safety and security remain our top priority. To aid this we have developed a new cleaning protocol, following the VRMA SafeHome Pledge guidelines.

Here’s how your home will be prepared: 

Recommended sanitizing products will be used in our enhanced cleaning techniques prior to each rental. We will particularly pay attention to guest touch points e.g. interior and exterior door furniture, cabinet handles, remote controls, stove and light switches and other hard surfaces.

Staff have received additional training and been instructed to be extremely vigilant about frequent, thorough handwashing, and the need to self-isolate if any symptoms present.

Handwash will be provided in your kitchen and all bathrooms, and re-usable bottles of cleaning and disinfectant spray available for your use.

You, our guests, are of paramount importance to us and we can assure you that we are doing all in our power to provide a safe, secure environment in your rental property.

Virtual Meet and Greet Welcome Program.

In order to enhance guest safety and prevent the possible spread of Covid-19, with social distancing being the key, we have introduced a new initiative; a Virtual Meet and Greet Welcome Program. This will enable you to learn all about the great features your rental home offers in a risk-free, virtual welcome call, which you can schedule to suit you.

One of our friendly staff members will happily guide you through all you need to know.

Virtual Maintenance Assistance

To further avoid possible exposure we will limit on-site visits, with guests in occupation, to essential cases/habitability issues only. For staff and guests’ safety we will firstly troubleshoot issues through Virtual Maintenance Assistance, providing guests the opportunity to resolve any issues via audio or video chat. If a socially distanced visit proves necessary we will schedule it, with prior notice, from one of our technicians or partners. To protect all concerned we will insist on a safe distance of at least 2 metres, just over 6 feet, between guests and staff at all times. Minor maintenance issues will be dealt with following guests’ departure.

Pool Safety – according to the Center for Disease Control there is no evidence that Covid-19 can be spread through the use of pools or hot tubs. However, for guests’ comfort, cleaners and technicians will wear protective gloves when undertaking any maintenance in these areas. Finally, we will require you to adhere strictly to the departure time of 10 a.m. This will allow our team sufficient time to carry out the necessary enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of the property, as outlined above.

We are constantly monitoring the ongoing situation, and will instantly respond to any and all measures stipulated by the authorities. With this in mind we’re sure that, when you stay in one of our vacation homes, you may rest assured that all possible has been done to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at admin@whiterosevillas.com

The Governor has finally announced a plan to facilitate the re-opening of your vacation rental homes in the State.

It requires every County to submit a plan for the safe operation of vacation homes to the Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR). The DBPR will then allow those counties to re-open or request further information. We are, naturally, hopeful that this process can be completed as soon as possible.

 

News for White Rose Villas vacation home owners

We at White Rose Villas are anxious to comply with the stringent DBPR sanitary guidelines and follow the CDC recommended guidelines for home cleanings and the staggering of bookings to allow a 3 day gap. We await any further requirements and will implement them without delay.

From May 18th gyms can open and restaurants, retail, museums and libraries may operate at 50% capacity; theme parks can submit plans to re-open. Along with further testing and the ability of pro sports teams to gather without fans, there are gradual but positive signs for our industry.

 

What’s next for Orlando vacation home owners?

We will, of course, keep you updated as the situation develops; rest assured that we’ll be ready to go as soon as the green light is given!

If you have any questions, please get in touch. Reach out to us at admin@whiterosevillas.com

 

 

 

These are tough times for us all.  But tough times also present new opportunities and this blog is written to help you seize these opportunities.

 

Until just a few weeks ago, it was business as normal.  Somehow, in those few short weeks, everything has changed for everyone in the travel industry, including vacation homeowners.  We’re all grappling with how to keep each other safe, while adjusting to the new normal.  

 

Renting out your Orlando vacation home

 

As the short-term rental industry navigates the impact of COVID-19 global pandemic, new strategies for overcoming the challenges of this period need to be developed.  To help you, we’ve identified the main areas that you need to review in order to maintain business stability and longevity.

At a glance – the important actions you should take now:

• Diversify marketing channels
• Adjust listings to attract new audiences and emphasise key changes
• Discount long stays
• Change cancellation policy
• Improve communication – stay alert

 

Diversify your marketing channels

We might as well make most of the lull and make it work for us.  Use this time to research and advertise on other listing sites.  You could even use this time to make a start on becoming listing-site free!

This quiet period is a great time to concentrate on creating a website for your vacation home – or revamp your existing website, if you already have one. 

You could design a newsletter to keep in touch with previous guests.  Or advertise your home on social media.  Test out different channels to see what works for your home.

Another option is to introduce a Groupon-style voucher for future bookings.  Perhaps you could offer your guests the option to purchase $1,000 of future holiday credit for $500 (or whatever ratio you choose).  This way, you can generate cash flow during these fallow months.

 

Update your listing to emphasise key changes

Take this downtime to update your listings and emphasise key changes.  Don’t just update the content, but look at adding the key changes you’ve made in response to Coronavirus.  Make sure these changes are reflected in your listing profile photos.

These changes will include: new rules for sanitising the property, plenty of toilet paper, masks provided, grocery shopping deliveries, fast WiFi, self-check-in, PlayStation and games provided.  These aspects let guests know at a glance that they’ll be comfy for a long stay.

WRV vacation home owners: to help our vacation home owners we are offering to update the profile photo with the above labels.  This is provided free of charge.  Just email your main profile photo to admin@whiterosevillas.com 

Highlight the features you already have in place for example self-check-in, thereby eliminating the need for unnecessary person-to-person contact.

 

Attract new Orlando vacation home guests

New traveller demographics will emerge out of this mayhem and, as a host, you need to be able to pivot from your usual target audiences and appeal to these new types of travellers. 

Four of the most common new guest types are listed here.  Get a head start on these groups: they are your future guests.

• Stranded guests
• Work from homers
• Staycationers
  With cancelled international travel plans, domestic tourists are booking more staycations.
• Medical staff / Self-quarantiners
  Local service providers and medical staff often require a place to stay while working so they can avoid cross-contamination with other family members.

 

Offer guests a flexible refund policy

It’s also worth considering making a change to a more flexible refund policy during these times of uncertainty.  It’s a simple way to help guests feel happier and more confident when placing a booking.  Guests want more protection. 

Don’t forget to highlight this new flexibility in your listing profile picture.  Once things go back to normal, you can always revert back to your standard cancellation policy.

 

Pricing your Orlando vacation home

Attracting shorter stays can be very challenging at a time like this.  In Florida, the governor has said that stays must be longer than 30 days.

Be flexible and offer large, monthly discounts to attract monthly stays and keep occupancy up. 

You may also need to look at heavily discounting your daily rates.  For example, you could offer a special price for people on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19, including doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

You may also attract people who need to book a place to stay for a 14-day quarantine by offering a discount.

 

Stay alert to changes in the vacation rental market

Even thought things are quieter, you need to be checking your messages and listing sites regularly.  Stay alert to messages and enquiries and attend to them as fast as you can. 

This will give you an important edge over your competition.  Things are moving fast for affected people and responding quickly may make all the different in securing the booking.

Do you best to remain in regular and frequent communication with guests – this is so important given how quickly things can change. 

 

Don’t write off cancelled bookings!

Don’t forget to nurture your cancelled reservations.  These guests wanted to stay; it is only circumstances keeping them away.  At some point they will rebook – make sure it is with you!

Keep in touch with guests who have cancelled.  The easy way to do this is to schedule an auto-message after reservation cancellations offering discounts for future stays.  This helps to encourage the guest to book with you when they are ready.

Remember, this is a challenging time for everyone.  Yet, during these quiet periods there is no better time to review your marketing strategy.  Do it now and you will be ready for the inevitable upsurge when this is over. 

 

These are challenging times for all of us involved with vacation homes in Orlando, both financially and emotionally.  I’d like to say a big thank you for your support and understanding as we work through these changes together.

 

As you know, the situation on the ground in Florida is very fluid and we are continuing our work to keep all of our vacation home owners and guests appraised of the latest information.

 

Where do vacation-home owners stand now?

Florida Governor DeSantis announced the shutdown in March and the restriction on vacation rentals began on March 27 following an Executive Order.

On April 29, Governor DeSantis announced the phased reopening of Florida businesses.  The first phase began on Monday 4.  This included the opening of restaurants with outside dining having spaces of six feet between tables and indoor dining reduce to 25% capacity. Retail stores also reduced shopper capacity inside of 25%, and the resumption of elective surgeries.

Sadly, vacation homes were not included in this first phase of reopening.

 

How have vacation-home owners responded?

Many Florida vacation-home owners have expressed frustration that the phased reopening hasn’t allowed vacation homes to reopen in the first phase.

The San Destin Golf and Beach resort wrote to the state government to argue that vacation homes are safer for social distancing than a hotel, yet hotels have been allowed to reopen.  It wrote, “The entire nation has been sent to their own homes to shelter in place, making a private residence much less of a threat than a multi-room hotel with countless public areas.”

This frustration has led to a Change.org petition with over 20,000 signatures, petitioning for Governor DeSantis to reconsider the ban and provide greater clarity about the next stages.

 

Florida’s vacation rental ban is challenged in court

You may have heard rumours that some vacation-home owners have started legal action against the ban.  A number of plaintiffs filed a lawsuit to this effect in Tampa last Thursday, arguing that the vacation-rental ban violates due process, equal protection and other constitutional rights.

The lawyers also argued against the prohibition on advertising, arguing: “Ironically, Fortune 500 companies which own hotels or large timeshare businesses may engage legally in the same speech that the plaintiffs find themselves subject to criminal and administrative sanctions.”

 

What is likely to happen in the near future regarding the ban?

The situation remains very changeable and it remains very difficult to predict when things are likely to change.

The task force charged with planning Phase Two has suggested that vacation homes could open under certain conditions in phase two of the reopening.  These conditions are likely to include:

• Open, but only to in-state reservations (Florida residents only)
• Ban on rentals to visitors from countries that do not have the virus under control
• A mandatory 72-hour hiatus between guest check-ins
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection between rentals
• Signage in all units detailing the new cleaning and sanitation procedures.

However, at this stage there are no guarantees about this phase of reopening or the conditions that are likely to be applied.  We will continue to monitor the situation and bring you news when we have it.

 

What should vacation-home owners do during this time?

This period is worrying for us all.  We’re doing our best to turn the situation into a positive as much as we can for our homeowners. 

For this reason, we’re implementing new safety procedures for the guests that do book.  We are encouraging everyone to use this fallow time to prepare their homes and marketing, ready for when the market does reopen again – everyone is going to be so keen to holiday once it is safe to do so again and we are expecting a surge in bookings as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Here’s a list of what the White Rose Villa team are doing to support our home owners at the moment:

• Weekly inspections of vacant homes
• Conducting health and safety audits
• We have contracted a photographer to take new photos of all homes.  These will be given to owners free of charge as a thank you for their support.
• We are redesigning the WRV blog to make it more helpful to our owners during this difficult time.  Check back regularly – or follow us – because we’ll be updating the blog regularly.
• We’re reviewing listings and activities across all the listing sites, property descriptions and marketing channels.
• We’re offering discounted deep cleans for homeowners who book a deep clean during this period.  It’s often hard to find vacant periods where we can schedule deep cleans, so this is the perfect opportunity to wash those carpets and jet wash those hard surfaces!  If you’d like to benefit from this service, please call us.

 

What’s happening elsewhere in Florida?

You may be aware that some restaurants and shops are beginning to reopen their doors under the first phase of the reopening specified by Governor DeSantis.  However, the news from the parks is less positive at the moment.

 

News from Disney

There has been much speculation online about the opening of the Disney parks, especially with the Disney Shanghai park opening earlier this week.

However, the Disney parks around the rest of the world – including Orlando and California – won’t be opening to guests anytime soon.

The good news is that Disney Springs will begin a limited reopening from May 20.  This will allow third-party traders on the site to reopen, provided the appropriate safety measures are in place.  However, the rest of Walt Disney Resort will remain closed for the foreseeable future, including theme parks and resort hotels.

Note that guests to Disney Springs will be expected to wear a mask and observe social distancing rules.

 

News from Universal

As with the Disney Parks, there is no sign of the Universal parks being able to open anytime soon. 

The good news from Universal, is that City Walk will begin its limited reopening from May 14.

As with Disney, CDC guidance – including the wearing of masks and the observance of social distancing rules – only certain traders will be opening.

Universal Studios store and a number of merchandise stores will open.  Some restaurants will open with a limited menu and limited seating.  Valet parking won’t be available.  All nightclubs, Blue Man Group venues and Universal Cinemark will remain closed.

A temperature check will be required on arrival and you will need to wear a mask.  Universal is also temperature checking its staff.  It is also limiting capacity to enforce social distancing and has placed signage around City Walk to help with this.

 

Do you have questions for us?

Our team remain on hand to answer all of your questions.  Please get in touch if you have any concerns or would like further information about anything listed here. Drop us an email at admin@whiterosevillas.com

Tips for Active Revenue Management for Orlando Vacation Rental owners in the post-Covid recovery period

 

There is a lot of uncertainty right now and property managers and owners are going to have to evolve their strategy to stay competitive when markets begin to bounce back.

 

More than Just Lowering Prices

Dynamic pricing is only one component of revenue management. It should also include the following:

• Channel management
• Marketing
• Forecasting

Now is a good time to focus on your vacation rental business and look at how and where you advertise your Orlando vacation home. 

Plus, you can use this quiet time before the markets reopen to look at the ways you can make your home more appealing for guests.  Stay ahead of the competition.  Maybe offer a late check out or – for the road tripper – a complimentary early check in. 

Will you welcome pets?  Most road trips involve families taking their beloved pets.  Accepting them could open up a whole new market segment for your home.

 

Forecasting for your Florida vacation home

Anticipating future demands and forecasting trends is another key skill that property owners need to develop. 

A good place to start is looking at publicly available information and statistics from local and international tourism boards.  AirDNA and Transparent provide market insights, historical data and benchmarking tools, so you can forecast low and high demand.

Tip! Record your own vacation home booking data to help you analyse and anticipate future booking behaviour

 

Expand your Distribution

Are you only selling on one channel? There are lots of channels open to homeowners these days: your own website, AirBnB, VRBO, etc.

Now is the time for owners to look to expand your presence and attract more guests to book your Orlando vacation home.

Rather than depend on low prices to get your occupancy levels up, you can use these new channels to find completely new audiences for you to sell to. 

Have you thought about business travellers?  Contacting conference centres to see what events may be running in the future when things are back to normal?  Reach out to large companies, airlines, tour operators as they may have stranded staff that need accommodation.  Get creative and think outside the box!

Increased marketing efforts will drive more traffic to your website or listing.  Expanding your online presence for your Orlando vacation home, whether it be via social media or new listing sites, is an easy way to increase your potential pool of guests.

Tip! Be mindful to review commission and fees on the different distribution channels, as these can vary.  Work out the net rates that you would see after the booking.

Remember that lowering your prices to be more competitive is something that can be easily matched by your competitors.  Worse – ultimately it can lead to a nasty price war!

Yes, be competitive with rates.  But, to be successful, you will need to look for more ways you can widen your home’s appeal to guests.