The future of vacation rentals: Tech trends to watch
Welcome to part one of sojo’s Back of House Operations Playbook, where we’ll dive into how advancements in tech help property managers stay ahead of the curve. In the past year, we’ve seen a surge in the use of artificial intelligence across all industries, and the hospitality industry is no exception.
From smart homes to booking platforms, tech and AI are changing the game. Property managers are using it to automate and streamline administrative tasks, improve team efficiency, make life easier for guests, and reimagine customer service.
Property managers should consider smart home tech including lighting and thermostats, making the homes more energy efficient cutting utility costs and improving sustainability. Keyless entry systems allow for remote access and code management, eliminating the need for physical keys and providing greater security. Guests can check in and out themselves, and property managers can change codes remotely before check-in for new reservations. Property managers can help enforce Airbnb’s no party policy with noise-monitoring sensors like NoiseAware, that detect excessive noise levels and send an alert.
When it comes to customer service, chatbots are a virtual concierge that responds to guest inquiries automatically, freeing up property managers to handle more complex issues. They can even be used to recommend local attractions, restaurants, or activities based on guest preferences. In the past year, Airbnb unveiled some AI-powered features, with plans for even more. A key test involves using generative AI to summarize reviews, considering factors like customer service interactions.
Airbnb CEO, Brian Chesky believes AI can also enhance search, identify amenities from photos, and improve customer service, especially language translation and helping to streamline policy analysis for both users and support agents. The STR platform’s new AI-powered photo tour helps arrange images uploaded by the host by different rooms automatically.
Generative AI has transformed Airbnb's guest review system, analyzing different metrics to determine which listings get a new “Guest Favorite” badge.
Breezeway’s Matt Gresko led a panel at Streamline Summit last week to talk about how adding operational technology has affected the return on business; with revenue and efficiency in mind. Mack Holley with Red Door Getaways points out how operations technology has influenced revenue growth when it comes to saving time, and prioritizing people and tasks. “Knowing where everything is, including employees, inventory, and knowing which properties cost the most time.”
A valuable piece of integrating technology for workflows is keeping teams happy. As Alex Zemianek with JZ Vacation Rentals put it, “The absolute biggest thing is the team satisfaction—because of how happy the team is to be a one system, to be able to work together. Things just flow a lot better.” He adds how turning data provided by tech into actionable insights is key to success. “If you don’t measure it, how can you change it?”
Breezeway’s automated upselling in messaging has also proven to be beneficial and lucrative feature. Automating early check-in messages is one example of how it’s improved processes. “Everything is interconnected, and everything talks to one another, Alex said. “It’s pretty important.” Adam agreed, “Have that automated check-in (message)—‘We’re here for you’.” The panel agreed that consistency is key, and automating communication has been key this with building their brands, customer retention with repeat bookings.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions emerging. With all these tools available, property managers should consider automating their work so they can focus on delivering better experiences for guests. While AI can be a useful tool in the industry, it can’t fully replace a key part of hospitality: human interaction.
Imagine never stressing over ordering and kitting amenities, or how to store them effectively, again. Let sojo take the headache of ordering, storing and kitting amenities off of your team’s plate! See what the hospitality hype is about here.
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sojo is an Amenity Automation Platform for Vacation Rentals. With more than 20k 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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