What is the deal with VRBO & Airbnb?
When marketing your Gloucester, Rockport, and Manchester by the Sea vacation rental property, it’s important to maximize exposure and booking opportunities by utilizing multiple rental platforms. Airbnb and VRBO are two of the leading services in the vacation rental market, each providing distinct benefits that can enhance the performance of your rental properties. We estimate these two platforms make up around 85% of all single-family vacation rental bookings on the North Shore of MA. At Wilcuma.com, we specialize in leveraging both platforms to ensure your North Shore vacation rental management strategy is as effective as possible.
Airbnb: Has become one of the largest players in the vacation rental space, offering a wide-reaching platform that attracts a diverse, global audience. This platform is particularly popular among younger, tech-savvy travelers who are looking for unique lodging experiences. Airbnb's interface encourages guests to book unique homes that offer a sense of place and local flavor, which is perfect for properties in Gloucester, Rockport, and Manchester by the Sea.
VRBO: Focuses more on attracting guests interested in longer stays, which is ideal for vacation homes in the North Shore area that can accommodate extended getaways. Typically, VRBO users are families or older travelers who prioritize comfort and are willing to spend more on accommodations. This platform often results in fewer but longer bookings, ideal for homeowners who prefer managing fewer turnovers and maintaining a steady income stream. VRBO’s fee structure is also particularly advantageous for owners of higher-end properties or those interested in minimizing frequent guest turnover. We generally opt to pay the $699 fee for our listings on VRBO so that there is no percentage fee when booking through this platform.
Marketing your property on both Airbnb and VRBO expands your reach, tapping into both platforms' strengths. This strategy increases your market exposure and caters to a wider range of guest preferences and booking behaviors, thus increasing the likelihood of higher occupancy rates and more consistent revenue. For example, while Airbnb might bring in numerous short-term bookings during the tourist peak season, VRBO could secure several long-term stays in the shoulder months, balancing your calendar and revenue stream. All Wilkuma properties are marketed on both platforms, and we highly recommend that you do the same. We estimate hosts not marketing on both platforms are leaving anywhere from 20-35% of the annual revenue potential of their vacation rental home on the table.
At Wilkuma.com, our expertise in managing listings across both Airbnb and VRBO ensures that your property in Gloucester, Rockport, or Manchester by the Sea is getting maximum online exposure, and we are converting the highest number of potential renters into secured bookings. We understand the nuances of each platform and tailor your listings to resonate with the specific demographics each attracts, enhancing your property’s visibility. By strategically marketing your North Shore vacation rental on both platforms, we aim to maximize your returns and ensure a successful, profitable operation.
Give us a call to learn more!
-Lucas
