How is your hosting season going?

[Paula]

Hello everyone 👋

As summer approaches in one half of the world and winter arrives in the other, students and families are taking time off, which could create a peak season in different regions. With this in mind, we would like to ask: Are you having a busy hosting season? If so, could you please share your top three strategies to stand out this season?

Your insights will help inspire Hosts who might be facing a slower season in terms of bookings. We look forward to reading about your experiences.

Thank you 🌟

[Gloria-And-Bob0]

This has been the busiest season ever for us. We have had our Airbnb house by Lake Chatuge in the western North Carolina mountains for 9 years. We have a wonderful reliable cleaning couple. We block out days for extra cleaning and maintenance twice a year. So our house is kept very clean, uncluttered, and well maintained. We provide liquid hand soap, shampoo, conditioner and bath gel that our cleaners keep filled. We have extra throws for comfort in our great room by the gas fireplace. We have decent dishes, towels, sheets, etc. for guest comfort. We keep a book with recommendations for restaurants, boat and water sport rentals, hiking trails, shops, etc. The grounds are well maintained by a yard maintenance man and his workers. I give bonuses to our helpers when business is good on holidays. We personally check out the house every chance we get when we come up and stay at our weekend house next door. We keep our daily prices as low as we can so that families can afford a vacation. Our guests are very respectful of the house. We listen to guest recommendations for maintenance and repair. We try to have personal comments of greetings when guests tell us what they want in our area. We try to keep the communication light and friendly. We now have many repeat customers and guests who come at the recommendation of past guests. This success has occurred over time.

[Paula]

Hello @Gloria-And-Bob0, wow, what an insightful answer! 🌟

All these things together ensure that your guests have a wonderful stay. Do they usually leave reviews? As you mentioned, getting feedback is one way to improve.

Your knowledge is incredibly valuable to our community, and I would love to see you around more often. If it's okay with you, I can tag you in conversations where new Hosts have questions, and your experience could be helpful to them.

Please let me know if this sounds good to you 😊

[Ruksaana0]

I let a room in my family home and I'm based in a SW city in the UK, near to a university. Lots of my bookings are last minute. I usually have workers during the week and then people coming to visit the city, family or friends at the weekend. Recently I have had a few students stay who are retaking exams. I would say this is my busiest time of year. I try to aim for 70% occupancy as a minimum. If I'm having a quiet week and want to fill the space I just drop the fee by a few pounds, that seems to work most of the time.

[Paula]

Hello @Ruksaana0,

Wonderful, thank you so much for sharing your strategies! Please keep us posted on how this season ends.

Wishing you all the best 🌟

[Illa3286]

My hosting season has been quite busy. My top three strategies are offering personalized experiences, maintaining excellent communication with guests, and keeping the property well-maintained and welcoming.

[Paula]

Hello @Illa3286,

Amazing, thank you so much for sharing this! How long have you been an Airbnb Host? Please feel free to start a new conversation in our community to share your tips or ask any questions you might have.

I hope to keep seeing you around in the Community Center 🌟

[Joe3863]

We have only been hosting now for just over 3 months but so far so good. We are near Zion National Park which is busy all year around. Always looking for ways to stand out. We are currently working on getting a back yard area set up for our Casita we rent out. Any recommendations would be great. 

[Lauren4237]

We've had a good summer but know things are going to slow down as we get closer to Aug and September 

[Dr-Jayanthi1]

Wish to share content created on my experience.

Host on Demand: Comprehensive Guide for Airbnb Hosts

1. Optimize Your Listing:

Enhance Visual Appeal -Add more,new, better pictures, add descriptions, add local attractions, create guide books.

Add new or improve existing amenities, ensure all listed amenities are well maintained and accessible.

Check your navigation guides/routes, update as and when possible

Remove minimum stay periods (fit all travel requirements), Instant booking is preferred for immediate travel needs.

Declutter spaces - keep only the essentials.

Don’t often tweak on nightly rates (wish lists- not impressive to have sudden inflation of rates)

Improvised internet services - add those extra GB/ speed - (suits work from home, access work during holidays, suits OTT access)

2. Prepare for Guest Comfort:

    Stock Up Essentials: cooking basics, tea/coffee, snacks.

Stock the guest refrigerators (optional)

Provide extra supplies like bedding, toiletries, and cleaning products.

    Address Seasonal Challenges: Prepare for summer months (water scarcity, planned electricity outages). Keep umbrellas during winter months. Add an extra comforter during winter. Add a crib to accommodate an infant.

    Maintain Appliances: Schedule maintenance for AC units, water purifiers, and water pumps, extra remote batteries.

Stock an extra first aid kit (handy). Detail availability of medical services near by.

Describe access for special needs (if available) - gifted guest needs, pet needs etc.

3. Foster Engagement and Trust:

    Communicate Effectively: Enable quick response messages and utilize message scheduling.

    Establish Clear Expectations: Communicate house rules and benefits to guests.

    Streamline Booking Process: Consider the pros and cons of instant bookings and implement a cleaning fee.

Make quick responses on booking requests - stay connected (they must be reaching out to multiple hosts simultaneously).

4. Monitor and Enhance Performance:

    Attend to Guest Needs - Pay attention to first-time guest inquiries always welcome new customers.

Take comfort through available reviews on guests.

Communicate effectively to convert enquiry into bookings.

    Adapt to Market Dynamics: Adjust tariffs based on the number of guests.

Sync calendar’s on your listings and hosting portals.

Simplify house rules also add penalties on specific overruling of house rules

Create genuine guest reviews, add details if possible and report house rule violators.

    Stay Compliant: Stay informed about local regulations and ensure adherence.

5. Enhance Guest Experience:

    Provide Local Recommendations: Offer itinerary suggestions, recommend eateries, and collaborate with local services, share your experiences, local know how’s. Stay proactive.

    Offer Convenience: Check in / check out times, luggage drop ins, welcome kits.

    Personalize Interaction: Engage with guests, encourage guest reviews, regular greets, share local happenings, road blocks/ diversion information if possible.

6. Uphold Quality and Safety Standards:

  Prioritize Guest Satisfaction: Embrace diversity, encourage positive ratings, DO complete guest ratings promptly.

    Ensure Compliance: Consider adding experiences, maintain quality standards, and avoid unnecessary detailing.

** My words for caution:

DO NOT Attempt to match hotel/restaurant models.

DO NOT Go overboard and create promises that are difficult to meet up with. .

DO NOT ignore possible alarm signals.

DO NOT compromise on quality/standards/pricing.

DO NOT entertain adventures/ risks.

HAPPY HOSTING.

Dr Jayanthi Ilamurugu