To increase occupancy rate on Airbnb there are a few key things hosts can do:
1. Keep your calendar up to date and use the special offer tool
When potential guests are looking for places to stay one of the first things they’ll do is check the calendar to see if there are any open dates that work with their travel plans. If your calendar is outdated it will reflect poorly on your listing. Not only that but you could be missing out on bookings because guests think your place is unavailable when it’s not.
To avoid this make sure your calendar is always up to date. Airbnb makes it easy to do this by syncing your calendar with your personal one. This way when you make updates to your personal calendar they’ll automatically be reflected on your Airbnb listing.
Another way to keep your calendar up to date is by using the special offer tool. This tool allows you to offer discounts on last-minute bookings or for stays that are longer than the average length of stay in your area. Using the special offer tool is a great way to increase occupancy rates because it allows you to be flexible with your pricing.
2. Have great photos and a detailed description
Your photos and description are what will convince potential guests to book your place. This is your chance to sell your listing and make it stand out from the rest.
Make sure your photos are high quality and show your listing in its best light. You should also have a detailed description that outlines all the amenities and features of your listing. This is your chance to really sell your listing and convince guests that your place is the perfect place for their next vacation.
3. Respond to inquiries quickly
When you get an inquiry from a potential guest it’s important to respond quickly. The sooner you respond the more likely it is that you’ll be able to close the deal.
If you take too long to respond the guest might move on to another listing. And even if you do eventually get back to them they might not be as interested in your place as they were before.
4. Use the right keywords
When you’re writing your listing title and description be sure to use the right keywords. This will help your listing show up in search results when potential guests are looking for places to stay.
Some great keywords to use are: “beachfront” “pet-friendly” “walk to restaurants” etc. By using the right keywords you’ll be more likely to show up in search results and get more bookings.
5. Offer discounts
One way to increase occupancy rates is by offering discounts. This could be a discount for last-minute bookings or for stays of a certain length.
Offering discounts is a great way to encourage guests to book your place. It’s also a good way to fill gaps in your calendar that would otherwise go unbooked.
6. Get reviews
Another way to increase occupancy rates is by getting positive reviews from past guests. Guests are more likely to book a listing that has positive reviews.
To get reviews you can send a follow-up email to guests after they check out. In your email you can ask them to leave a review and let them know how much it would mean to you.
7. Promote your listing
In addition to making sure your listing is well-optimized you can also promote your listing to reach a wider audience.
There are a few ways to promote your listing:
-Advertise on Airbnb: You can create an ad campaign on Airbnb to promote your listing to potential guests who are searching for places to stay.
-Social media: You can share your listing on social media platforms like Facebook Twitter and Instagram.
-Email marketing: You can add a link to your listing in your email signature or include it in your newsletter.
8. Use a vacancy-management system
If you manage multiple listings on Airbnb a vacancy-management system can be a valuable tool. A vacancy-management system can help you keep track of your calendar and pricing so you can maximize occupancy rates.
There are a few different vacancy-management systems to choose from such as:
-iGMS: iGMS is a software platform that helps Airbnb hosts manage their listings.
-Smartbnb: Smartbnb is a tool that helps hosts increase their occupancy rates and revenue.
-Wheelhouse: Wheelhouse is a tool that helps hosts optimize their pricing and calendar.
Using a vacancy-management system can help you stay organized and increase your occupancy rates.
9. Work with a professional rental manager
If you want to increase your occupancy rates but don’t have the time to manage your listing you can work with a professional rental manager. A rental manager can take care of all the details for you from marketing your listing to managing bookings.
Rental managers typically charge a percentage of your rental income so be sure to factor that into your costs. But if you’re looking for a hands-off way to increase occupancy rates working with a rental manager is a good option.
10. Join a vacation rental association
Joining a vacation rental association is a great way to network with other vacation rental owners and learn about best practices.
There are a few different vacation rental associations to choose from such as:
-VRMA: The Vacation Rental Management Association is the largest trade association for vacation rental managers.
-ARVC: The American Resort and Lodging Association is a trade association for the vacation rental industry.
-NAVR: The National Association of Vacation Rental Operators is a trade association for vacation rental owners and managers.
Joining a vacation rental association is a great way to stay up-to-date on industry trends and learn from other vacation rental owners.