How do you encourage guests to book again?

[Elisa]

Hello everyone 😊,
I hope you’re having a great week!

One of the best compliments a host can receive is a repeat booking. It means your space made a lasting impression, whether through thoughtful touches, great communication, or a seamless check-in. Encouraging repeat visits not only builds trust but can also reduce your marketing efforts in the long run.

How do you encourage guests to book again?

I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts!

Warm regards,
Elisa 🌻

 

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Elisa  After their stay I send a thank you message for their stay and lil reminder if they can review their stay. I let them know they’re always welcome back with a special discount, either we remove cleaning fees or extra guest fees. 

[Kelly333]

Hi @Patricia2526  - that's a great idea to offer to remove cleaning fees.  My condo is in a mountain ski area and I've been lucky to get repeat bookings 6 months in advance. I didn't want to offer a discount for re-booking because my winter stays pay for non-ski season months. But, the cleaning fee seems like a fair trade off. Good idea! 

[Elisa]

Hi @Kelly333 😊, 

thank you for joining this conversation.

How do you usually encourage guests to book again?
Do you have any tips you’d like to share here?

[Kelly333]

@Elisa Hi Elisa - 
I haven't proactively marketed to guests for return visits. I've been lucky to get them (again - I'm in a ski destination so repeat visits are more likely vs a typical vacation destination). As a marketing professional, the idea of creating a more intentional plan to communicate offers and such has been rolling around in my brain, but I just haven't taken action yet.

The one thing I'm hoping someone can explain is how can hosts tell if guests ARE returning?  The way Airbnb functions, typically, hosts cannot discern whether a guest previously stayed with us unless it is overtly referenced in a guest message to us (So excited to stay again, etc.).  I've had returning guests where I can see our past communications in the reservation messaging.  And I've had returning guests were I do NOT see past communications, but I put 2 and 2 together that they've stayed before (e.g. if they reference it in their messages). 

Is there anything on the Airbnb roadmap that would enable hosts to see that a guest is a returning guest?

Also, does Airbnb offer some sort of promotion code we could send to guests so they could use it to rebook and see the discount when they make a reservation?

Thanks for letting us know what tools, if any, may be available to promote return stays! Kelly  

[Elisa]

Hi @Kelly333 😊, 

Thank you for letting me know!

Your point is really interesting. I recommend sharing it and asking in the community, other hosts will know how to guide you on this.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know what you find out.

[Elisa]

Hi @Patricia2526 😊, 

Thank you for participating here!

That’s a great approach. How many guests have returned for a second stay?

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Elisa I have a few guests who return regularly and often recommend us to their friends and family.

[Elisa]

Hi @Patricia2526 😊, 

Thank you for letting me know.

That’s great news, well done to you! 😍

What do you think makes them come back so often?

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Elisa  

They say it’s convenient because it’s close to the airport, and they really appreciate our flexibility with check-in and check-out times.

[Elisa]

Hi @Patricia2526 😊, 

I understand better now, thank you!

That’s great to hear, well done on being flexible with check-in! 😍

[Greystone0]

HI @Elisa ,

we currently offer a discount on a future stay to a guest who was 'great' (one that our cleaning crew gave high marks to and one that we, on the host side had a good experience with). Upon check out and once all is determined to be in good shape, I'll message a special thank you with a discount off a future stay.

Sometimes, if it really feels like they went above and beyond, I will refund the cleaning fee or pet fee from the stay they just checked out from. And also provide a hearty thank you and discount off future stays.

[Elisa]

Hi @Greystone0 😊, 

Thank you for sharing this here!

This is a nice idea. 😍

How did you decide on this one? Do guests usually come back after you offer a discount?

[Guy991]

Hello @Elisa ,

There are more benefits to recurring guests. It simply costs us less. Less wear and tear, and less time spent on explanations.

I can’t recommend accepting a returning guest who left less than 5 stars.

We have many guests who extend their stay or return again.

We don’t offer any discounts. We offer a smile and a genuinely warm welcome.

If Airbnb believes recurring guests are also beneficial for them, they could offer guests a discount on their service fees.

We don’t encourage guests to return by offering discounts. We just try our best to give them the best experience during their stay. 

[Elisa]

Hi @Guy991 😊, 

It’s so nice to read from you here!

I understand your point.

Have you had many guests come back since you started on Airbnb?