Prepping for the holiday hustle and beyond: A guide for vacation rental property managers
It's time to deck the halls of your vacation rental!
The holidays are just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to start planning for the seasonal peak. With families gathering and friends planning getaways, your rental could be in high demand. A little planning and the right tools can turn this holiday season into a profitable success. Here are some key strategies to ensure a successful holiday season, and to plan ahead for 2025!
With families already thinking about spring break and summer vacations, now is the time to optimize your pricing strategy. According to Key Data, rates are expected to rise in 2025, so it's crucial to position your properties competitively. Consider using dynamic pricing strategies to adjust rates based on demand and occupancy. Features from Breezeway can help with adjusting rates in real time, based on changes in seasonality, traveler data, and occupancy by identifying revenue opportunities and filling gap nights.
Did you know that switching to eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products can save your properties up to 35% a year? The benefits don't stop there. Recognition as an eco-friendly leader boosts your visibility and attracts more bookings. Industry giants like Hilton are paving the way. They've achieved a 40% increase in guest returns by switching to sustainable products.
Next up… safety is always first!
Winterize your properties to ensure guest safety. As the temperature drops, prioritize safety for your guests. Justin Ford, Director of Short-Term Rental Safety & Certification Programs at Breezeway, recommends checking for potential hazards from holiday decorations, such as faulty wiring or overloaded outlets, and inspect outdoor lighting. Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly and winterize plumbing to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. Be sure to keep walkways clear of snow and ice, and protect your plumbing from freezing temperatures.
Want to give back this holiday season? Consider collecting any unused food or pantry items to donate. Let guests know in pre-check in communications about your efforts to give back to the community, and where they can drop off or leave donations.
Use our inspection checklist, also featured in our blog post Tips for elevating the guest arrival experience: It’s all about the check-in, for a quick overview of what to look out for.
Create a memorable holiday experience for your guests by adding festive touches to your rentals.
Consider decorating with seasonal decor, providing holiday-themed welcome gifts, or creating a digital guest book with local holiday events and attractions. (Tools like Touch Stay and Ruebarue make it easy).
Add some sparkle to your bookings with sojo gifts—the perfect way to surprise and delight your guests. From custom-branded towels, foldable totes and drinkware to cozy essentials, the wide selection of gifts in our catalog can help you create a truly memorable and elevated guest experience this season.
Make your brand the hero with custom-branding. Available for the wide selection in our catalog, custom branding can help you create a truly memorable and elevated guest experience this season and year round, and increase brand loyalty!
By implementing these strategies, you can attract more bookings, optimize your revenue, and create unforgettable guest experiences. Remember, planning ahead, prioritizing guest safety, and offering unique touches can set your properties apart and ensure a successful holiday season and beyond.
Book a meeting to see sojo can help you make it a time to remember!
sojo is an Amenity Automation Platform for Vacation Rentals. With more than 30k properties on our integrated platform, we’re able to support property managers and their staff to keep turn days automated and the products a welcome surprise to their guests.
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