As the grandeur of a new year and January comes to a close, it’s time to take a look forward to the rest of the upcoming months. After the fiasco that was 2017, 2018 promises increased connectivity between people, a greater understanding of the world around us, and new adventures and endeavors. What contributes to all of these? The vacation rental industry! Here are a few of the top trends in 2018 for the vacation rental property homeowner.
More People Booking their Stays Through Vacation Rentals
The amount of travelers and vacationers booking their stays in rental vacation properties is growing at a steady rate year by year. From 2016 to 2017, that number increased from 108 million to 119 million! With consumer spending looking more and more optimistic, this is expected to be 131 million throughout 2018. So quickly find a good cleaner to properly prep your property for incoming waves of guests and travelers.
Beachfront Rentals are Top Choice
Of the top 25 most popular destinations in 2017, 17 of them were near a beach. With an increase of 49% in beachfront property searches last, Tripping.com’s research forecasts increasing popularity in the beach scene, most importantly along the southern beaches in the country. Additionally, searches for lake beachfront properties increased by 100% for the Spring and Summer seasons! This shows a trend that these types of listings will make way to the forefront of the vacation rental property game as well. A pristine, clean property in these areas will stand out from the rest.
More Guests, More Options
With more travelers and customers comes more options. Booking vacation properties are becoming more instantaneous than ever before. Hotels are starting to face fierce competition against rental properties since they tend to cater to the individual traveler’s needs more appropriately than a traditional hotel.
Guest Expectations
Naturally, customers want the best value when selecting their vacation rental. They want to have the most relaxing and comfortable time for THEM. Therefore, it’s important that you be proactive. First, be prepared for last-minute listings. With more people (in the United States) spending, there are likely going to be more than a few spontaneous decisions. Plan accordingly and use your schedule to weather such unexpected circumstances. Use automated cleaning services to help you stay one step ahead. Second, guests are going to expect more out of their properties. They’ll unique experiences and amenities through their trips, so how will your property stand out? It will be important to optimize your Airbnb.
Political Changes, Smallest Influencer – Make Way for the Big Events
Homeowners, although scary, don’t worry about the current political trends happening around the world. Although the U.S. presidential election in 2016 caused increased searches in Canada in Mexico versus the United States, political unrest has left the rental vacation industry relatively untouched. High tensions in Barcelona in the past year has also unfazed the number of travelers coming through Spain. However, big happenings like the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the upcoming World Cup in Russia should expect high volumes of visitors despite political tensions of the area.
