Sudden drop in views and bookings

[Laura4032]

Hello, everyone! I am a Superhost with consistently great reviews and 2 active listings in Bucharest, Romania. Since the end of May, I’ve noticed a sudden and drastic drop in both views and bookings, even though I have made multiple improvements (updated photos, adjusted pricing, title change, added discounts, etc.) and my calendar is always open. We accept 1 night bookings-90 days bookings even more.

Summertime is a low season in Bucharest, but no bookings is very odd. I am a superhost since the beginning, 6 years ago and in the top 10%. I must be doing something wrong. 

I would appreciate any feedback or insights you could provide.

Thank you in advance!

airbnb.com/h/whitestudioatno29

airbnb.com/h/yellowstudioatno29

[Marie8425 · Accepted solution]

@Laura4032 

I don't have an answer for you.  I will say I have the same problems since same tine,  I have 5 listings in my shared hone. I limit myself to three rentals at a given time just because that is all the work I want.  Typically, all year, there is usually a waiting list,  I have 1 Guest, he has been here since April.  My other rooms are empty, a few scammers but no one legit.

[Marie8425]

@Laura4032 

At least got me one 30 day rental. Haha  I set my nightly price pretty average to the dead market.  Competitor's calendars are open also. 

Then I used the length of stay discounts so if your searching for my longer normal stays the price is discounted and the Airbnb Search displays based on that discount pricing,  The good was I didn't have to discount as much as if a 1 night search.

[Marie8425]

@Laura4032 

My logic is I think how I shop.  If something is too big a discount like for the 1 night price, I may be more wary of something bad than excited about a deal.  

[John5097]

Hello @Laura4032 

I'm also curious for the drop in bookings. A lot of guest can report this from anywhere. You have also been hosting a long time.

Where are most of your guest traveling from? Do you get mostly European guest, international? 

One of your listing's title mentions two events "Timpuri Noi & JLo concert" 

Just wondering if other host are seeing any travel and booking changes? 

The US tariff announcement was in April. Since then guest booking from other countries has dropped off. I still get some from UK and Canada, not as many, but none from the rest of Europe.

It really wasn't that many anyway so can't say but may be from guest in other places boycotting US and US companies?

There were also some reports that travelers from the US also dropped. 

In my experience through covid and other downturns, other host slash rates to super low. 

Consumers may also be tapped out after so much inflation and spending less until wages catch up. They were very good at saving money during Covid, for example, as there was a lot of uncertainty, so cut back on spending, and may be doing the same with the uncertainty with the tariff policy that I think everyone pretty much hates and is sick of, mostly ignored and perhaps just cut back on things like travel or boycotting US companies. I don't have any data on that so thought it might be interesting discussion, as I can notice downturns with bookings way before it's reported. 



 

[Laura4032]

Hello @John5097 ! Unfortunately, Bucharest is, usually, an underrated travel destination. The government doesn’t do much to promote the capital city or Romania in general, so us as hosts try to do the marketing ourselves as best we can. Meanwhile, I’ve talked to airbnb support and they were very helpful, conclusion is super low season this summer in Bucharest. I’m doing my best to keep up with the algorithm and change titles considering events this summer taking place in our city, promotions etc all day long, every day🤣 and waiting for the autumn, when peak season starts to  settle. During the peak seasons, we have turists from all over Europe and US & Canada and not necessarily romanians living abroad. Some bookings came this week from our regular guests. Thanks!

[Marie8425]

@Laura4032 

I noticed yesterday, something that was also quieter then my usual, a sudden back to normal, scammers..  I don't know why but by Wednesday I will be full and scammers are back. Haha

[Marie8425]

@Laura4032 

I have been doing everything possible for 2 months and no real improvements. So I have no logic why but as my previous normal back to waiting list activity this week.  I had to open a 4th room temporally.  Hope you are getting back o normal?

[Roger1194]

Hi Laura4032 - I've had the same issue with my property in Italy (right next to Cinque Terre) since March when there was a drop in views for my property by 1/3 to 1/2.  Two other people I know that have properties near mine said they've experienced the same thing since this Spring.  I fortunately have had most of July and August booked as summer is obvious peak tourist season in Italy and Cinque Terre.  I contacted Airbnb support about this and they were dismissive of there being some technical issue.  They said that there can be lots of reasons for drops in views but when you have a property like yours and my friends house with over 200 reviews and very high ratings, it makes no sense.  Airbnb said there are lots more new properties in the area so that might be affecting things.  Same with my property - I have a very high rating, many amazing reviews (although not as many as your properties or my friends but both of you have been hosting for longer) since I listed my property 3 years ago, and top 10% (at one point it showed top 5%), guest favorite,, etc. This Spring when I was in Cinque Terre and at my house, there were more tourists in Cinque Terre than the last couple of years.  Most of my guests are from northern Europe - Germany, France, Netherlands, Scandinavia, etc. So definitely not the issue John points out on this tread about US tourists. 

This is my property:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/838767935702571289

Roger

[Marie8425]

@Laura4032 

I do not have answers why but besides being maxed out now and full just as sudden my no interest Wishlist again odd.  I noticed today a lot of recent activity in the positive.