Last-minute bookings are commonplace in the vacation rental world, especially on the Airbnb and Booking platforms. Impulsive travelers or those who spontaneously decide to get away from it all are often looking for last minute options for their stay. Often on the occasion of long weekends that have not been anticipated, stays in France are preferred: short travel time to make the most of these few days of freedom on site. For vacation rental owners, effectively managing those last-minute bookings can be a challenge, but more importantly, see it as an opportunity. Our concierge agency in Lyon offers you today to discover some tips to know how to best manage these last minute reservations in your seasonal and short-term rental.
Flexibility is important for your tenants
Flexibility is key to accommodate last minute bookings. Try to keep your calendar as open as possible, especially during high demand times. Last-minute travelers are often looking for immediate or short-term stays, so be prepared to welcome reservations for the days ahead. For example, clean and maintain the accommodation as soon as the last tenants leave, replenish your rental, etc. Reducing the workload in anticipation of future tenants will allow you not to be in the rush when a last minute reservation comes up. It is precisely in this way that our concierge agency in Lyon is organized: cleanings are scheduled within hours of the departure of the last tenants.
Offer attractive rates
To attract last-minute travelers, offer special rates or discounts. Last-minute travelers are often on the lookout for great deals, so make sure your pricing is competitive for this clientele. Note also that this is one of the most popular techniques on Airbnb to maximize the occupancy rate: by lowering the price per night of the days that are not reserved in the calendar, you will make it possible to fill these holes more easily and, depending on your organization, to continue to develop your rental income without eating too much into your short-term profitability.
Use online booking channels
Use online booking platforms to announce the availability of your rental in real time. Travelers looking for last-minute bookings often use these platforms to find immediate options. This advice may seem highly anticipated, but many rentals today are not present on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking. If they bring their share of inconveniences, not being there is above all a loss of profit. Their market share is growing from year to year and their general conditions tend to effectively protect tenants and owners in the context of reservations.
Actively track online requests
Respond quickly to last-minute booking requests. Last-minute travelers often make quick decisions, so be sure to check your messages regularly and respond quickly to ensure availability. If you don't answer online messages or pick up the phone, you can be sure that these potential tenants will call someone else who will probably answer. Responsiveness and availability are the most important criteria in our sector of activity and should in no case be set aside. Naturally, this is all the more true in the context of last-minute bookings. In our Lyon concierge agency, we pay particular attention to all the messages received: tenant satisfaction and the image of the YourHostHelper network depend on it.
Set flexible minimum stay rules
If you generally have a minimum stay policy, consider making it more flexible for last minute bookings. You could accept one-night or two-night stays to better meet the expectations of last-minute travelers. This is all the more true in the context of weekends and periods outside school holidays. Once again, here, you will significantly increase your occupancy rate for the year by making a concession on the time granted to arrivals and departures as well as to the maintenance of the accommodation.
Highlight the benefits of your rental
Highlight the features and benefits of your vacation rental. Last-minute travelers are often ready to book quickly, but they want to be sure that your rental will fully meet their expectations. Sometimes the price does not matter, it is almost what is called a compulsive purchase. On the other hand, the location of the accommodation, its elements of comfort, equipment and its reception capacity are central here. Always be sure to offer carefully filled online ads that tell people exactly what they will find in your home.
In summary, managing last-minute bookings in your vacation rental requires flexibility, responsiveness and attractive rates. By taking advantage of these tips, you can maximize your vacation rental occupancy and accommodate last-minute travelers while maximizing your revenue. The annual occupancy rate is one of the most followed metrics to estimate the profitability of a property. Last-minute reservations are an excellent lever for increasing it, but managing them and attracting them require specific actions. These tips not only allow you to better manage these reservations but also to make your life easier and improve the profitability of your vacation rental.
