What are the 2020 trends in the vacation rental sector?

To maximize your chances of renting out your property successfully and boosting your occupancy rate as well as your rental income, it is essential to stay up to date with the latest developments in the real estate and tourism sectors.

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Indeed, like any professional sector, seasonal rentals are subject to trends that evolve over the months and years. Their evolution depends on multiple factors, including the behavior and preferences of travelers. So, what are the trends for 2020? Your Welkeys bnb concierge service provides you with key elements to better position yourself in the market and highlight your property.

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Thanks to a study conducted by the booking platform Booking in October, certain preferences regarding travelers and their desires have emerged. Here is some key information about their profiles and their new habits and convictions.

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Towards responsible tourism

For many, 2019 was synonymous with ecological awareness. Consequently, many travel enthusiasts now want to pursue their passion in a more responsible way and favor less popular destinations in order to reduce mass tourism and protect the environment. Responsible tourism is therefore of increasing interest, especially among young people. In fact, 56% of 18-25 year olds surveyed by Booking want to actively participate in reducing mass tourism.

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A growing number of travelers are willing to change their destination and choose a more environmentally friendly alternative if their original plan has too significant an ecological impact. An admirable stance that means two things:

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• Secondary cities will take center stage. Is your rental property off the beaten path or located in a place still unknown to the general public? Then highlight this feature and boast about its benefits! More and more travelers are also going on vacation during the off-season, again with the goal of not overcrowding cities and reducing mass tourism.

• Travelers will change their travel methods. Ethical tourism means respecting local development issues and using non-polluting, alternative modes of transport. It should be noted that air travel is currently the most polluting mode of transport, far ahead of trains and individual cars. Avoiding flights whenever possible and traveling as much as possible by land significantly limits CO2 emissions. Thus, 48% of travelers surveyed are willing to extend their travel time to limit their environmental impact, and there is no doubt that some will also choose to travel within their own country. A boon for many French cities that would benefit from being better known! Once again, you can adapt your listing to match this growing mindset. Provide information on the nearest bus or train station and highlight the public transport options near your accommodation. ‍
  

And major booking platforms are also doing their part to encourage people to go green! Indeed, while Booking recently announced its desire to highlight responsible accommodations through its Booking Booster program, Airbnb offers unique experiences aimed at protecting nature. Want to help restore the coral reefs of Andros or support responsible fishing in the Exumas? The latest experience imagined by Airbnb provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the preservation of an archipelago in the Bahamas. A great initiative and an example to follow!

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Having everything in one place

In 2020, variety is also the watchword. According to the study conducted by Booking, 62% of travelers say they want to save time on their trips by choosing a destination that brings together activities and places of interest. In addition, significant attention is paid to local gastronomy by many travelers. In fact, 74% of French people say that eating local products during their stay is very important to them.

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Beach, mountains, surrounding restaurants, specialties, cultural heritage... If your property's location has multiple attractions, you are on the right track because this has become an essential selection criterion for travelers! Once again, adapting your listing is the best thing to do to keep up with this trend. Don't hesitate to share your favorite spots and give suggestions for activities to do in the area. A personalized listing is the key!

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Grandparents and grandchildren: the travelers of tomorrow

In addition to students and young professionals who take advantage of their vacations to travel with friends or family, more and more retirees are now taking advantage of school holidays to travel with their grandchildren. A new traveler profile that is asserting itself in 2020! Indeed, the statistics collected by Booking speak for themselves:

• 71% of grandparents believe it is important for parents to spend time alone, without their children. 72% of them then feel that spending time with their grandchildren makes them feel young. Finally, 75% of grandparents find that vacations are an ideal opportunity to spend time with family.

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Accommodations with child-friendly equipment and facilities will be highly sought after by this demographic. To maximize your chances, it's not complicated! Provide a few board games, highlight the presence of amusement parks or playgrounds nearby, specify if your pool is secured... Information that can make all the difference when booking!

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Also good to know: 19% of retirees around the world want to take a gap year!

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Pets included

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Today more than ever, travelers want to be able to go on vacation with their pets. Thus, 49% of those surveyed by Booking would agree to choose more expensive accommodation if it accepted pets. A trend that has led to a considerable increase in the number of establishments allowing pets on the famous booking platform.

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Rentals must therefore now meet the needs of travelers but also those of their four-legged companion(s). Does your property have direct access to the outdoors or a large garden? Highlight it. Is there a forest or a dog-friendly beach nearby? Mention it. Is your property not fenced? Mention that as well.

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‍Allowing pets is one thing, but doing it properly is another! You can also add thoughtful touches like providing bowls, toys, or a pet bed. A happy pet owner will become a loyal guest who has nothing but great things to say about you!

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Welkeys is here to help

We know that the market and traveler preferences are constantly evolving, so our teams are here to support you every day in managing your property. From creating your listing to welcoming guests and handling cleaning, we take care of the entire rental process and do everything possible to optimize your rental income.