Staycations are looking set to be big in the UK this year with predictions the coronavirus and Brexit will drive more Brits to book holidays closer to home.
For buy-to-let investors, the holiday home market is looking more attractive too. Indeed, experts say, with the long-term rental market being hit with a barrage of tax changes, short-term letting is a becoming a more alluring prospect.
Mortgage brokers also forecast an increase in demand for specialist loans to help holiday home investors purchase properties in the UK.
So, if you have a holiday let or if you are in the process of investing in this area you will want to ensure you stand out from the competition on whatever platform you are using to promote your property.
Cassie Pryde, customer experience consultant at TravelNest, which helps people advertise their holiday lets, said: “Boosting bookings on your vacation rental isn’t as difficult as it might seem at first.
“In fact, in just a few simple steps, you can increase your occupancy rate. There is lots you can do to optimise your listing and stand out.”
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Use lots of good quality photos
Pryde advises going for quality as well as quantity when it comes to photos of your holiday let.
In terms of quality make sure the pictures are set at the highest resolution you can – Pryde recommends 2880px on the longest side.
When it comes to quantity the major platforms recommend using at least 24 photos. But TravelNest said you should not be restricted by this because it’s vital you have photos of each room. In fact, excluding pictures of the bathroom can put people off.
Include pictures of any outdoor spaces, attractive views from the property and the entrance. Having photos of garden furniture, the barbecue, coffee machine, your welcome basket and any toiletries can help entice guests by offering them a snapshot of their potential holiday lifestyle.
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Get the pricing right
According to TravelNest, if potential guests struggle to find details of the price they will soon look elsewhere.
So, publish the prices clearly and ensure there are no hidden extras tucked away in the small print.
To set the price, check out the competition by researching pricing for similar properties in the same area. Ensure you are roughly on a par with them, advises Pryde, and don’t be afraid to increase your price accordingly.
Divide prices into recognisable blocks, representing high and low season and Christmas so holidaymakers can easily identify the appropriate price bracket. You should also publish prices for the next 12 months.
Offers are also a good way to entice people in. TravelNest recommends offering deals or discounts to people who make advance bookings, take advantage of late availability or who are repeat customers.
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Be flexible
Offering some flexibility on check-in dates and length of stay is something which will really appeal to guests. Indeed, TravelNest data revealed the top 20% most flexible properties get twice the number of nights booked than the 20% least flexible.
If you are too rigid on the check-in and check-out days, your property won’t show up in as many searches. Likewise, if you can provide a minimum stay of one night you will also appear in more search results and be able to cash in on the short-break market.
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Write snappy descriptions
A well-written property description can have a huge impact. Long, dull essays will not appeal to potential guests but something short and simple will stand out.
Pryde said: “It needs to be up-to-date, and highlight all of the property’s unique selling points. Strike a balance between being creative and descriptive with your copy, and keeping things short and specific.”
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Upgrade your amenities
You can improve your ‘content score’ on listings websites such as Booking.com and Expedia by ensuring you have as many ‘tickable amenities’ as possible.
This is because guests can use search filters on different channels to select specific amenities they want during their stay. So, if your property doesn’t have them, they won’t show up.
Things like a decent coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and – of course – WiFi will help you attract more guests to your property.
Update on your listing any new amenities you add and be specific about items such as bikes, game consoles or phone chargers so guests can prepare in advance.
