Dropping bookins

[Barbara2155]

Hello all! 

Just wondering if you’ve noticed a big drop in bookings around the Orlando area lately. I started seeing it at the beginning of summer—reservations really slowed down, and the only way I could get bookings was by dropping prices to around $130 a night (last year in summer the average price was $180), sometimes even less (though I try not to go below $120).

Also, bookings aren’t coming in advance anymore. My last one was made just a week before the guests arrived. The good news is that the house has been getting booked—up until now. At the moment, I have nothing on the calendar. In my five years as a Superhost here, that’s never happened.

Do you think it’s just the economy right now, or is something shifting in the short-term rental market? I'm thinking about maybe trying longer-term rentals until things pick back up.

[Helen3 · Accepted solution]

It's worth you looking at supply and demand as many areas have oversaturated markets @Barbara2155 

also where do your visitors come from? The US is suffering a 15% drop in overseas visitors due to 'the Trump affect' so this could be affecting your bookings .

[Barbara2155]

Thank you, Helen. My husband and I calculated how many tourists were coming from outside the U.S., and we estimate it's about 15%. I hope our Canadian friends will want to come to Orlando this winter, although it seems uncertain. We’ll see. That said, I think everyone is trying to save money and cut costs. Fingers crossed for the future. Thank you so much for your reply.