Seeking Advice on Declining Bookings

[Ada4471]

Hello fellow Airbnb owners,

I am very disappointed with the low number of bookings at my property. I'm fairly new to this, but when I first listed my house in North Miami, I had regular bookings and frequently refreshed the posting. For a few months now, possibly due to hurricane season, the bookings have stopped. Is anyone else experiencing this, especially hosts from Miami or South Florida? I am completely thrown off here. Any information, thoughts, or ideas you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
A very concerned Airbnb owner

[Vera-Marcos0]

Hello, you're always very welcome! 

Greetings, Marcos

https://Airbnb.com/h/marcos76

[Suryaprakash0]

Hello @Ada4471 , Hope you are doing good, don't have much idea about Miami or South Florida but here i  Dubai we are facing the same problem as its Summer here, my only advise for you is to make your listing stand out with getting good reviews, high ratings, building connection with the guests and focus more on direct booking in off seasons, use pricelabs to keep a watch on neighborhood prices of Airbnb apartment & hotels nearby, adjust your prices accordingly with it, it has helped me to get my listings on top, guest favorite, and got my superhost badge in 3 months of hosting. I hope this information is helpful to you. 

[William2415]

Hi @Ada4471 , I think it’s a sign of the times. We have had fairly regular bookings at our 3 properties in Tennessee and Alabama but most have been fairly last minute. I’m not sure what this says about the market but something is certainly happening out there. We are a little concerned about a surplus of vacation rentals in the market and the tendency for folks to start lowering prices to  offset slow bookings but that’s not good for want of us. I suggest not being discouraged and it’s hopefully just a temporary dip that will correct itself. 

[Terry900]

Same in Bradenton, lots onto April the nothing, I have considered cross booking with other platforms 

[Tracie84]

Have you done any research on the seasons there? I believe summer is low season .

[Emilia42]

@Ada4471 

Isn't July & August the off season in Florida?? Many people within Florida are traveling north for cooler climates. It makes sense that Florida will receive fewer travelers in the summer months just like the Northeast will receive fewer travelers in winter months (because everyone will be headed to Florida) 😀

[Marie8425 · Accepted solution]

@Ada4471 

Try these ideas maybe,  your price  is  set for 1 adult not  your typical guest  for a 3 bedroom but when I  add my husband and  two kids  the price is significantly   different.    You  want to target  the right market.  The   low price initially is attracting the people   you aren't  good for lookin g for a  bargain price for 6 and  maybe  making  your correct market  avoid  you    because  discount price.

Your description  refers   to   six adults..

That is a difficult  market.  If You   don't  want  children.  You have to look  at your  area and  market to  seer what is  the  best promotion  6 adults  or  3   adults   Then  you can  write your  description to  say why  your the best.

Your  house is  beautiful.

[Ada4471]

Thank you so much for the feedback Marie! I really appreciate it!

[Joan2709]

Hi @Ada4471 

I think @Marie8425 is spot on...your addl guest fee after 1 guest of $25 is really hurting you. Your competition of the same size or even more guests is about the same price with no addl guest fees. I would remove the addl guest fee; especially in slow season and then just price competively as compared to similar listings in your area.

[Ada4471]

Makes sense @Joan2709 , thank you! I will remove the fee. Thank you all for the support! 🙂