Long term guests.

[Cyril113]

I have a art residency and farm house in Vagamon in kerala state of India.This location is in the western ghats of india, considered as one of the hottest hot spots of bio diversity and classified as a heritage zone by Unesco.

I like to have long term guests who are artists, performers, writers, photographers, all from creative field and biologists and nature lovers.

Advise me how can i get such guests

[Sarah977]

@Cyril113  First of all, your listings are set up wrong. You have 6 separate bedrooms to rent in the first listing (I didn't look at the second listing). You need to create a separate listing for each bedroom, show photos of only that bedroom and the common spaces and the surroundings in that listing, as well as how many guests can stay in that room. You then do the same for all 6 listings. Make sure to mention in each listing that you have 5 other bedrooms listed in case people want to book a larger group.

As far as attracting the type of people you want, who will be a good fit with what you offer (BTW, I think your place and what you have going on there is wonderful) you need to work on your listing description. Really put some time into talking about the opportunities for creative people and nature enthusiasts there, as well as your appreciation for those types of people. Maybe you could combine the stay with an experience, or some workshops- nature walks where you do local plant identification as well as talking about the medicinal benefits of various plants, an introductory course to Ayurvedic medicine, getting visiting artists to hold workshops . 

I honestly think you have something there which could be a lot bigger than just a listing on Airbnb for rooms. Your own website, which offers courses in some of the things I mentioned, and more you could come up with, with accomodation and meals included. 

In other words, what you have the potential for there is a popular retreat center that people from all around the world would come to. It's just a matter of organization and marketing, which is not my forte. But maybe you know someone who is good at that? 

[Cyril113]

Dear Sarah, 

Thank you very much for your detailed advise.It was really an eye opener for me.You have covered a lot of opportunities which hasn't crossed my mind till now.

To be frank , i am not a tech savy and hence i think i have to get someones help to post the details and pictures as you mentioned.

I have travelled many places within and outside India.I have seen people marketing each and every aspect of their property.If i compare with that the different aspects of my property, i can attract a lot of guests who will be interested in nature study.

Would you mind sharing your whatsapp number so that our communication can be easier.

Have you been to Kerala or any other part of India.You are always welcome to my property as my guest.

Thanks again,

Cyril P Jacob.

+91 91422 43866

[Sarah977]

Hi @Cyril113 , No I've never had the pleasure of travelling to your part of the world, and thank you for the invitation. I don't use Whatsapp, sorry. 

I can totally relate to your non techiness .-) I put off listing my usually empty guest room for years because setting up a listing was so intimidating to me. Finally a friend who hosts sat me down and showed me how to do it.

Where I live, there are several retreat centers and spas, which is what makes me see your your place like that. Some don't even offer anything themselves but meals and lodging- but somehow they are on some network where people who put on workshops, yoga retreats, etc. find out about them and book the whole place and bring their own signed-up clients. So the owner of the retreat center gets paid well, and doesn't actually have to organize any of that themselves, just be gracious hosts. 

There's someone I know who I can ask about this- it may take me a couple of weeks, but, I'll get back to you. Members of this forum can use the Private Message function to communicate between themselves, so that is where I'll get back to you (the little envelope symbol on the top bar next to the notification bell symbol)

[Cyril113]

Hi Sarah, 

Thank you very much for you quick reply.I will wait for your reply.In the meantime I will get a tech support and find out the possibilities.

Where are you from.Do you have a website or where can i see more about your place.

Thank you once again.

Cyril.