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How Vacation Rentals Can Source Leads from Business Travellers

How Vacation Rentals Can Source Leads from Business Travellers

How Vacation Rentals Can Source Leads from Business Travellers

How Vacation Rentals Can Source Leads from Business Travellers

In the world of vacation rentals, most hosts are used to catering to tourists looking for short stays. However, the business travel market offers a lucrative and often under-explored opportunity. With the rise of remote work and flexible travel schedules, business travellers are increasingly looking for alternatives to hotels, such as vacation rentals that offer more comfort, privacy, and convenience.

Tapping into this segment can provide a steady stream of bookings and repeat clients for vacation rental owners. So, how can you source leads from business travellers? Here’s a guide to attract and secure bookings from this valuable market.

1. Optimize Your Listings for Business Travellers

To attract business travellers, optimise your vacation rental listing to highlight features that appeal to them. Business travellers usually seek specific amenities and services to make their stay convenient, comfortable, and productive.

Essential amenities business travellers look for:

  • High-speed Wi-Fi: Mention reliable, fast Wi-Fi in your listing—it’s non-negotiable for working professionals.
  • Workspace: A dedicated desk or workspace is beautiful for those who need to work during their stay.
  • Proximity to Business Hubs: If your rental is near business districts, conference centres, airports, or transport links, emphasize that in your listing.
  • Flexible Check-in/Check-out Times: Flexibility is often important for business travellers with irregular schedules.
  • Professional Cleaning Services: Business travellers appreciate cleanliness and the availability of cleaning services, especially for longer stays.

Including these details in your listing can increase your property’s visibility to business travellers on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com. You can also consider adding the “Business Ready” badge on Airbnb, which showcases that your rental meets business travel requirements.

2. Partner with Corporate Travel Agencies

Secondly, many companies use corporate travel agencies to manage their employees’ travel arrangements. By partnering with these agencies, you can get your property in front of the right audience.

How to connect with corporate travel agencies:

  • Contact local or national corporate travel agencies and inquire about listing your property in their directory.
  • Join platforms like Sonder for Business or Homelike, which cater to corporate clients looking for longer stays.
  • Attend travel industry trade shows or networking events where corporate travel planners might be in attendance. This allows you to showcase your property to key decision-makers.

Once you’ve established a relationship with these agencies, they can recommend your property to companies sending employees to your area.

3. Market to Relocation Services

Business travellers often fall into the category of employees relocating temporarily or semi-permanently. These travellers typically need longer-term accommodation and prefer a more comfortable and home-like setting, which vacation rentals can provide.

Strategies to tap into relocation services:

  • Connect with HR departments and relocation companies that manage employee moves. These companies often look for extended-stay options beyond traditional hotels.
  • Offer flexible, long-term booking rates to attract relocating employees.
  • In your marketing materials, highlight amenities such as fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and proximity to schools or offices.

By becoming a preferred partner for relocation services, you can attract a steady flow of business travellers needing accommodation for weeks or months.

4. Leverage LinkedIn for Business Networking

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for connecting with business professionals. It allows you to network directly with potential corporate clients, business travellers, and relocation experts.

How to use LinkedIn effectively:

  • Connect with decision-makers: Build connections with HR managers, travel coordinators, and office managers from companies that frequently send employees on business trips.
  • Post about your rental: Regularly share updates about your vacation rental, focusing on its business-friendly amenities, proximity to key business locations, and any special offers for business travellers.
  • Join industry groups: In LinkedIn groups related to business travel, corporate relocation, and HR management. Engage in discussions and share your knowledge to position your property as a solution for business accommodation needs.

5. Utilize Business Travel Platforms

Several online platforms cater specifically to business travellers. Listing your property on these platforms can increase your chances of being seen by professionals looking for temporary stays.

Popular business travel platforms:

  • Corporate Housing by Owner (CHBO): This platform caters to corporate travellers seeking longer-term housing solutions.
  • Sonder: A service that focuses on business-friendly stays and offers fully managed vacation rentals for business travellers.
  • Homelike: A platform specialising in extended-stay rentals for business travellers.

Ensure your property meets these platforms’ standards, including high-speed internet, a workspace, and a comfortable living environment for long-term stays.

6. Offer Incentives and Discounts for Business Bookings

Companies often have travel budgets to adhere to, so offering incentives can make your rental more attractive to business travellers. Special discounts or packages for more extended stays or repeat bookings can set you apart.

Ideas for incentives:

  • Offer a discount for bookings longer than one week or for returning business travellers.
  • Provide corporate packages that include extras such as early check-in, laundry service, or airport transfers.
  • Offer loyalty programs for companies that frequently book with you.

7. Create a Business Traveller Landing Page

Additionally, if you have a website for your vacation rental, create a dedicated landing page for business travellers. Use this page to highlight all the business-friendly features your rental offers and target keywords that business travellers might search for online.

Include on your landing page:

  • Testimonials from previous business guests.
  • Details about nearby business hubs, coworking spaces, or transport links.
  • A booking form or contact information for corporate enquiries.

Optimizing your website for search engines with keywords like “corporate housing,” “business-friendly accommodation,” and “extended stay rentals” can help you rank higher in search results when companies are looking for travel accommodations.

8. Maintain Great Reviews and Testimonials

Word of mouth is also one of the most powerful marketing tools, especially in the business travel community. Happy guests are more likely to recommend your rental to others in their company or industry. Focus on providing an excellent experience for every business traveller to encourage positive reviews and referrals.

Encourage satisfied guests to leave testimonials highlighting features important to other business travellers, such as Wi-Fi speed, cleanliness, or the convenience of the location.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the business travel market offers vacation rental owners an opportunity to diversify their bookings and attract consistent, high-quality guests. By optimizing your property for business travellers, building partnerships with corporate travel agencies, leveraging online platforms, and offering tailored incentives, you can position your vacation rental as a top choice for professionals on the move.

By following these strategies, you can successfully source leads from business travellers and grow your vacation rental business into a hub for professionals needing a home away from home.

J Wanjiru @Huku Kwetu

Written by Karibu Qwetu • October 17, 2024
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