Comparing Vacation Rental Platforms: Which One Is Right for You?
After a slow summer, Park City, UT, experienced an upturn in tourism at the end of last year, much to the relief of vacation property owners across the city. As a rental property owner, that doesn't mean your occupancy worries are over, though.
With fewer travelers planning to go on vacation this year, now is the time to ramp up your marketing efforts if you want to meet your rental property goals for 2024.
Get started by learning more about the various vacation rental platforms available and which ones might suit you best.
Booking.com
Booking.com advertises hotel as well as vacation property rentals, so you'll need to compose a stand-out listing if you want to attract attention amongst the extra competition.
Despite this drawback, the site offers many benefits, like:
- A global audience
- Trusted reviews
- Swift customer support
- Flexible listing choices
- Competitive pricing tools
- A variety of payment methods
- Secure payment and reservation systems
Booking.com is a major player in online vacation property marketing, with 1.5 million nightly bookings. You can list your property for free, but you pay a 15% commission on every booking you receive.
Airbnb
Airbnb is one of the best-known booking platforms worldwide, with over 7 million listings and millions of monthly website visitors. Some of the benefits of listing with Airbnb include:
- Vast reach and massive exposure
- Easy to use
- Automated payments
- Free listings
- $1 million Host Guarantee and damage protection
You pay a 3% commission on every booking you receive via Airbnb, but this can increase up to 13% if you have special requirements.
VRBO
VRBO is one of Airbnb's biggest competitors. It focuses only on private homes and apartments, making it a popular choice for family vacationers.
With VRBO, you can choose from two hosting options. The first is an annual subscription costing $499. The alternative is paying a 5% commission, service fees, and a 3% credit card charge for every booking.
When you list your property with VRBO, you'll encounter less competition from other listings, and you also get to use free marketing tools to help you maximize your occupancy rate.
Guests who book on this platform pay a 12% service fee.
Expedia
Expedia is a well-known travel tool for people planning the perfect getaway. Travelers can book flights, car rentals, and excursions on this secure website.
Listing your property adds an extra level of convenience for these vacationers. You don't pay for your listing, but you will pay a commission of between 10% and 30% on each booking.
Beyond the Best Vacation Rental Platforms
Listing on vacation rental platforms is one of the most effective modern-day marketing tools available to Park City, UT, property owners. Yet, marketing is not enough to ensure you enjoy ongoing success with your vacation rental home.
Hiring an experienced property management company, like PMI Park City, ensures your guests enjoy memorable experiences that encourage repeat bookings. Our services include property maintenance, cleaning services, and reservation management.
We will welcome your guests and ensure their every need is met during their vacation. Let us help you make the most of your Park City, UT, vacation property.
