This year is off to a great start—not too long ago, I returned from the 2023 Spring Forum in Kansas City, Missouri. At this year’s event, the keynote and breakout sessions were outstanding, the networking opportunities were lively, and the exhibit hall was full of impressive booths and discussions.
At a recent VRMA event, one of our long-term KTN clients introduced me to a new member, adding a resounding endorsement something like: “Doug’s company does an amazing job training and coaching our people on reservations sales and guest hospitality.”
At the recent sold-out VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas, I had the pleasure of facilitating a table at the VRHP Roundtables session. The topic of my table was “Standard Property Appearance (SPA) and Service Standards.”
Short-term rental bookings may be surging this year, but hosts and property managers face headwinds from another direction: an increase in supply, the return of the gap night, and a cost of living crisis.
As I write this, I’ve recently returned from the VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s so exciting to see our industry come together again after being apart for so long. The energy, passion, and positivity of VRMA members is unmatched.
Since buying a rental property in North Carolina last year, I’ve been making it a smart home. I live near Washington, DC, which means I keep an eye on my rental mostly from afar. Outfitting my property with smart tools is not only for the ease of renters but also to protect my investment.
The VRMA International Conference, held this year October 23-26 in Las Vegas, is the biggest and most comprehensive event in the vacation rental space. It’s a one-stop shop for industry education and networking, including enlightening keynote speakers.
During the VRMA International Conference, Holly Stiel—a speaker, trainer, consultant, coach, author, and president at Thank You Very Much Inc.—will deliver the general session keynote, “Service is a Gift: How to Create and Sustain a Culture of Service.”
A data-driven approach to managing your Airbnb business can help you get booked more often and show up higher in search results. Check out our list of the most effective Airbnb metrics to optimize your listing.
Locks have come a long way. Gone are the days in which a simple lock and key secured your doors. Now, smart locks are everywhere. With progressions in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dependability plus safety improvements to hardware, smart locks are one of the smartest and safest access solutions.
With the updated VRMA definition of “professional”— “taxpaying, local, and consistent in their high standards”— cleaning and other operational processes have a clear role in both the “local” and “consistent” pillars.
To say the vacation rental industry has undergone a shakeup in the last couple of years would be an understatement. Every year we invite property managers to let us in on various aspects of how they run their business and complete an annual survey.
The short-term rental industry is strong and growing, but now, more than ever, it’s important for professionals in our industry to stay on top of the trends so we can continue to thrive.
Recently, we surveyed technology buyers (including owners and managers of rental properties. Recurring issues respondents face are power interruptions and glitchy routers, which break Wi-Fi connections to devices like smart thermostats, smart TVs, and security cameras at their properties.
How do I fulfill demand in a profitable and sustainable way? The good news is that there is a way to do this. It’s all about running your vacation rental business with optimal efficiency, and here’s some ways you can do just that.
Many businesses in the vacation rental industry are taking action by adopting environmentally friendly practices and putting long-term strategies in place. But how can they act practically in the short term to reduce their carbon footprint in their day-to-day operations while adding value?
My story begins on what I thought was a peaceful Thursday night in Kona, Hawaii. I had just finished streaming my favorite murder mystery (with absolutely zero thought that I’d soon be featured in one of those Airbnb horror stories everyone’s heard about), and was ready to bundle off to bed.
In the face of increased guest expectations, growing competition in the space, and heightened regulations, there is a new minimum standard for success in this industry.
The summer of 2022 offers golden opportunities for ambitious vacation rental operators. There’s one easy upgrade you can make to your property that’s both a desirable amenity for guests and an operationally efficient wonder for owners: a modern access control solution.
The best booking is a direct booking. It’s every property manager’s most profitable and preferred channel; however, it can seem elusive with the prevalence of online travel agencies. These websites offer incredible exposure but relying on them as your only source for bookings can be a major pitfall.
Today, almost every property manager’s website has an area of their site that focuses on the destination itself. But what are the benefits of engaging with local tours and activities?
When investing in a short-term rental (STR), location can make all the difference in your success. Whether you are making your first or your 100th short-term rental investment, Beyond is here to help. Reach out for a demo for more information.
These days, nearly every vacation rental client company I conduct reservations and hospitality training for offers travel insurance. This is a win-win for everyone.
If you have not done so recently, now is a terrific time to remind your front-line reservations sales agents of the importance of securing direct “voice channel” bookings.
We are all seeing high guest demand and out-of-the-ordinary booking behaviors. Our team could barely get out of the office to attend the 2021 VRMA International Conference in San Antonio, and I imagine your business was the same.
Chances are, you don’t think you need “enterprise” software. If your operation is small and not trying to grow, you’re probably right. But after a remarkable couple of years, many PMCs are finding that scalability and performance quickly pay for themselves.
When leads come in from lead feeders, property management firms have to share the revenue from those bookings with those lead feeders. If you want to maximize revenue, then, you want customers to book with you directly. So, how can you stay in touch with new customers?
This time last year, I would bet that the majority of vacation rental operators were incredibly uncertain about what the future held in 2021. Fast forward to today, and we not only have a much clearer picture of the state of the industry, but we also have a huge amount of optimism...
I recently watched Mark Zuckerberg’s video release announcing his company’s rebrand to Meta and his plans for Facebook’s Metaverse. In the video, Zuckerberg talks a lot about what he sees as the future of Web 3.0 and how we will all be living in parallel virtual universes that seamlessly integrate.
Last spring, I took my first trip in over a year—a novel concept considering the state of the world we live in today. Unsurprisingly, my vacation was different from those I’ve taken in previous years, and as a traveler emerging from the pandemic, I had different expectations and sets of criteria.
Insights for an even better revenue performance in 2022, to help hosts & property managers mitigate the surprises that may still arise, anticipate market trends, drive demand, and position their properties for success.
Your company’s property operations team performs a wide variety of tasks that must be completed on a regular basis, whether those tasks be daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. But if you don’t have the details of those tasks well-documented, you are wasting time and money.
As is the lodging industry in general, resorts and vacation rental companies are well aware that direct bookings not only help hold down the “costs of acquisition,” but also increase our guest loyalty to our brands and not to a distribution channel partner.
There’s much to be excited about in the vacation and short-term rental industry right now. With challenge and disruption comes opportunity. New ways of working are emerging, new markets are opening, and we’re looking at old problems with a fresh perspective.
There are two acts you can take to help you keep up with what happens in your community: following local government agendas and building relationships with local officials. These tips can help you focus your efforts and stay informed with public discourse regarding your business interests.
New research from Expedia Group, called the Traveler Value Index, reveals shifting views on travel, including positive sentiment on vaccine passports, increased budgets, and an enduring demand for safety and financial security.
We need a better booking window metric; something that can express each daily micro-environment on your calendar. We propose the Prime Booking Window. Let me show you how we use it at Buoy.
Although booking patterns will continue to fluctuate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is one persona that will keep traveling: the Digital Nomad 2.0.
Searching for the key to optimizing your company’s performance? It’s all about understanding the Big 3: Occupancy, Average Daily Rate, and Revenue Per Available Rental Night.
On May 14, 2021, the VRMA community was finally able to gather, in person, and again experience something long dormant and desperately missed within the vacation rental industry.
Why understanding the difference between “hospitality” and “guest service” is crucial. These terms are often used interchangeably, yet while they are related—and while guest satisfaction requires both—they are fundamentally different concepts.
The recent news that demand for vacation rentals in the U.S. has overtaken that of 2019 levels has been a breath of fresh air for an industry wracked by travel uncertainty over the last year and a half.
Arrival spoke with Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond, on the top three things property managers should keep in mind as the busy summer months continue, dynamic pricing, post-pandemic travel, and more.
Roger Bal fell into vacation rental management almost by accident. Thinking about the future, he decided to turn his attention to building a vacation rental property in Mexico.
Have you ever walked into work at your vacation rental company and immediately recognized that today is going to be one of those days? It’s almost like someone posted a sign at the staff entrance to make it official.
In Lincoln County, Oregon, a group of vacation rental managers are trying to help create good rules that will address community concerns while pushing back against bad suggestions that would drive up the cost to local taxpayers and force the industry underground.
Vacation Destinations are facing increasing challenges from government regulations. In Glynn County, Georgia VRMA members worked with the local government to create a positive outcome.
The vacation rental niche has done extremely well during this pandemic era, with locations and accommodation types that are ideal for socially distanced vacationing. Therefore, the biggest issue facing most VR managers is to keep the inventory they have and to find new owners to join their program.
In my job as a hospitality industry trainer, familiarizing myself with each client’s company culture involves, among other things, determining what if any statement of mission, values, or vision they have in place.
In this article, Sean looks at how the 2021 vacation season will be different from years past due to COVID-19 and provides rental managers with ways that they can prepare their properties while also competing for bookings.
Marketing is complex. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes. By using a few key resources and letting technology do some of the heavy lifting, you can market your vacation rental properties more effectively.
As 2020 draws to a close, we can acknowledge that we all have all experienced a great deal of challenge, uncertainty and, at times, absolute turmoil. The impact of the global pandemic has been felt universally and has affected each one of us to a degree—both personally and professionally.
Lately, I have been reading more and more posts where these members are sharing their experiences throughout the hiring cycle—from application, to interview, to the receipt of an offer, and eventually, to onboarding and “first day” experiences. Others share their views from the other side...
According to Spencer Rascoff, former Zillow Group CEO and co-founder of Pacaso, people’s relationship with their homes — especially their second homes — is shifting in our COVID-19 world. After all, why not relocate for an additional few weeks of the year to a secondary home..?
"Workcations," which once sounded like a good vacation gone wrong, have become popular since COVID-19 turned the world upside down. With professionals and their families largely stuck at home, these working vacations are a way to get a desperately needed change of scenery...
As all of us have worked through the roller coaster ride of COVID-19, one thing remains true: People want to travel to destinations that allow for togetherness and physical distancing.
Based on our data here at Guesty, individuals will indeed be booking trips this holiday season, fatigued from COVID-19 impacting their ability to travel and freely move around. And with second and third waves happening across many regions, the frustration and desire to revenge travel...
In March, when travel came to a screeching halt due to COVID-19, no one in our industry knew what to expect. However, by summer, we saw a surprising twist. Many people were itching to get out of town — even just to quarantine in a new setting, and Airbnb spending was up by 22% year-over-year in July
I run a specialist public relations consultancy so feel particularly excited about this issue of Arrival. It’s an opportunity to educate on PR and why every organization should take it seriously.
Building a culture of diversity and inclusion begins with evaluating your current workforce, policies and practices. Ask yourself, “do our systems and processes hinder or help our ability to increase diversity in our operations?”
Customer reviews, in any business, provide feedback (positive or negative) on a product or service bought or experienced by the reviewer. A guest review of a vacation rental stay can act as social proof of why a future guest should also go ahead and press the "book now’" button.
Throughout the spring and summer, VRMA’s board and staff have carefully navigated the shark-infested waters of 2020, and we are now laser-focused on 2021. This is a pivotal time in our industry. Advocacy, professionalism, partnerships and unity are the keys to a successful future for VRMA.
VRMA's Member Spotlight series continues to recognize active members in the VRMA community. This week, read a Q&A with Lela Ray, InterCoastal Net Designs. Ray shares why she joined VRMA, how VRMA’s benefits and opportunities have impacted her career and more.
Helping travelers escape the confines of home while maintaining physical distancing, vacation rentals occupy a unique position in today’s travel landscape. We identify key trends and remind you of actionable ways to make the most of your upcoming reservations.
The State Coalition initiative has been particularly successful. The effort has helped VRMA members to gain a seat in the regulations discussion, and in some cases lead by helping local governments to create effective local rules.
Over my career in lodging industry sales and service training, I have designed numerous reservations training programs with names like 7-Steps for Reservations Sales Enhancement, Cooking UP New Reservations Sales and Reservations SAILS Training.
Upgrading your vacation rental locks brings operational benefits, cost savings, and important guest-friendly convenience to any vacation rental property. Remote, web-based access management provides timely control and audit trail visibility that manual key locks simply cannot achieve.
Read a Q&A with Anna Lewis, head of growth at Gulf Coast Beachfronts. Lewis shares why she joined VRMA, how VRMA’s benefits and opportunities have impacted her career, advice she would give to others in the industry and more.
Ensuring properties follow excellent cleanliness and hygiene procedures is a given, but property managers may also want to consider the air quality of their units. Including a simple humidifier in a rental can make a significant difference.
Provide your staff with the training they need to de-escalate these encounters in the spirit of hospitality. Here are some tips to share with your guest contact staff.
As those who read train-the-trainer articles or attend my workshops know well, I am a huge advocate for using a “tech for touch” approach to stand out from the competition. Read more about using video email for personalized, narrated, virtual property tours.
As in any industry, massive disruption creates massive opportunities. Smart operations and marketing leaders will capitalize on this chance to win the loyalty of first-timers, turning them into this year’s social media promoters and next year’s repeat guests. Here are a few training tips.
Forecasting is important now more than ever for property managers to anticipate future business performance, deal with future uncertainties and plan accordingly. Here are 9 tips to improve your forecasting methods for better revenue management.
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has businesses looking at new ways of doing their work and how that work gets done. To meet operations and staffing requirements, many businesses are expanding their workforce using a mix of employees, contractors and staffing agencies to provide more flexibility.
The Greensboro, N.C., City Council passed an ordinance that lays out guidelines for short-term rentals. The ordinance is similar to other cities like Asheville and Wilmington but it includes an exception that could be challenged.
The Erie County, N.Y., Comptroller's Office is considering an overhaul of its taxing system for hotels to include "non-traditional short-term and vacation rentals."