We firmly believe that the economic climate is going to bounce back for the summer season and that, by the summer, people will be itching to travel again. As one Bluetent Insider shared last week, “people will always break open their piggy banks for a vacation.”
We’ve seen promising statistics – like the one stating that 90% of travelers are still planning to travel in 2020. We want your vacation rental company to be prepared to capitalize on what we think will be a great summer season. Get ready to accommodate eager travelers by getting your digital ecosystem – your direct booking website, your channel management solution, and your digital and email strategies – refined, adjusted, and ready for success.
Team Bluetent can help! We have the tools, resources, and knowledge you’ll need to navigate the changing impacts of COVID-19 on both our industry and your unique business. So far, our experts have put together Coronavirus-specific must-send email messages and targeted digital marketing strategies. Now, we’d like to offer some suggestions regarding online travel marketplaces – like Airbnb and Booking.com – and their roles in your booking strategy now and in the future. Here are some action items recommended by our team for success on online travel agencies (OTAs).
Update and refine your property descriptions.
This is the perfect time to take care of some of the tasks that always sink to the bottom of your “to do” list. For instance, review and update your property descriptions to ensure your listings stand out and rank well when travelers are ready to book summer vacations. Appealing keywords, relevant search terms, enticing property titles, and attractive photos are a few things you can refresh in the next couple of months. For more tips, check out the blog post by Director of Client Services, Mel Dinnel, highlighting tips and tricks for getting the most out of Rezfusion Boost™.
Remain informed regarding Airbnb and Booking.com cancellation policies.
The COVID-19 crisis has made OTAS, and our entire industry, rethink standard cancellation policies. The landscape continues to change daily and it’s important you stay up to date. Team Bluetent is committed to keeping our Insiders informed: we invite you to check out Bluetent’s COVID-19 page that includes all the latest information.
Use flexible cancellation plans.
With Airbnb specifically, properties with flexible cancellation plans are rewarded. Listings with flexible cancellation policies will be pushed to the top of Airbnb search results. Of course, this type of policy might not be the perfect fit for every property, but we encourage you to implement it wherever applicable. Learn more about Airbnb’s cancellation policies here.
Lower your rent adjustments in Rezfusion Boost™.
Stay competitive! When travelers are ready to book, make sure your pricing is appealing. Boost™ users can easily lower rent adjustments for Airbnb and Booking.com using their dashboard.
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