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Polly Shelton
In Airbnb Channel Manager, Booking.com Connectivity Partners, Vacation Rental News

The Best Vacation Rental Channel Manager Software 2023: How Avantio is staying on top

The Best Vacation Rental Channel Manager Software 2023 How Avantio is staying on top

Are you looking for a pioneering channel manager software provider that stays ahead of the game?

Look no further than Avantio! We are thrilled to announce that we have been recognized and awarded partner status from the top online travel agencies (OTAs). 

  • Vrbo’s Elite Connectivity Partner 2023
  • Airbnb’s Preferred Software Partner 2023
  • Booking.com’s Premier Connectivity Partner 2023

Join us as we highlight the key features that make Avantio the preferred choice of some of the world’s leading online travel agencies. We will discuss what sets us apart from our competitors and why we are a top channel management system provider. Keep reading to discover why Avantio should be your go-to choice when choosing a channel management system provider

Why use a channel management system?

If you’re a property manager looking to simplify and advance your online distribution, a channel management system is an essential tool. But what exactly is a channel management system, and why should you use one? Let’s take a closer look.

There are several benefits to using this type of platform, including the following:

  • Simplified distribution: With a channel management software, you can distribute your properties and rates to multiple channels with just a few clicks. This eliminates the need for manual updates and reduces the risk of errors or discrepancies in your listings.
  • Increased visibility: By distributing your properties to multiple channels, you can improve your visibility and reach a wider audience. This can help you attract more bookings and increase your revenue.
  • Real-time updates: With a channel management system, you can make real-time updates to your listings across all of your channels. This means that you can quickly respond to changes in availability, pricing, or other factors that may impact your bookings.
  • Time savings: Using a centralized platform to manage your distribution can save you time and streamline your workflow. This allows you to focus on other aspects of your business, such as guest communication, property management, and marketing.

A channel management softrware is a software tool designed to help property managers distribute and manage their properties and rates to multiple OTAs. This centralized platform offers real-time management of your properties across your preferred channels.

What is a Preferred Partner?

Online travel agencies (OTAs) strive to provide users with a positive booking experience. To achieve this, they team up with property management software suppliers, who can offer their hosts a comprehensive range of services. In order to be awarded a Preferred Partner status by OTAs, software providers must demonstrate solid and consistent connections. As well as quality and varied features that can cater to the unique needs of different properties.

Here are three ways through which channel manager software providers meet these high standards:

  • Direct Connections via API 

Direct connections via API (Application Programming Interface) are preferred for OTAs to retrieve and display accurate availability and rates from channel manager software providers. The API connection eliminates the need for manual entry and guarantees rates and availability are up to date across all channels. As a result, OTAs can confidently offer properties with accurate pricing and availability, while property managers save time by managing all channels from a single interface.

  • Exceeding Performance Benchmarks 

OTAs set specific performance benchmarks that channel manager software providers must meet in order to maintain their Preferred Partner status. The benchmarks may include response time, booking acceptance rate, and booking accuracy rate. By exceeding these benchmarks, channel manager software providers can prove their reliability and efficiency to OTAs, leading to more bookings and revenue.

  • Integrated Connectivity Features 

Quality and varied features are vital to standing out in the competitive vacation rental software market. Channel manager software providers offer advanced connectivity features beyond basic rate and availability distribution. Features like automatic translations, property content management, and automated guest communication can improve the booking experience and increase conversion rates.

What sets Avantio’s channel management system apart?

Avantio’s channel management system is packed with features that set it apart from the competition. Here are just a few of the unique capabilities that make our system a must-have for any property manager:

  • Unified Inbox: Say goodbye to juggling multiple communication channels. Communicate with guests, service providers, and owners all in one place. This feature simplifies communication and collaboration, making it easier to keep everyone on the same page.
  • Price Consistency Connection: Nothing is more frustrating for guests than seeing one price when they start their booking process, only to be hit with a higher price at the end. Our Price Consistency Connection with Vrbo guarantees that guests won’t be surprised by the final price and prevents abandoned bookings. Improving the guest experience and increasing bookings and revenue for your business.
  • Stay Ahead of the Curve: At Avantio, we know that the travel industry is constantly evolving. We’re always looking for ways to stay ahead of changing traveler trends and market conditions. An example of this is we have recently increased the minimum stay requirement for Booking.com from 30 to 90 nights. This change reflects the growing movement among travelers to seek out longer-term stays.

We’re committed to providing our clients the tools they need to succeed in today’s competitive market. Our channel management system is just one example of how we’re working to help property managers achieve and exceed their business goals.

By choosing Avantio as your property management software provider, you can gain access to these powerful tools and more. Helping you to simplify your operations, improve guest experience, and drive revenue growth.

How does Avantio’s Preferred Partner status affect property managers?

Using channel manager software with preferred partner status, like Avantio, can be a game changer for your business. Here’s why:

Say goodbye to manual updates! Avantio’s channel manager has direct connectivity with each OTA’s system, making it easy for you to manage your property’s availability, rates, and reservations all in one place. No more switching back and forth between different platforms!

We understand how important it is to have reliable technology. Our channel manager delivers a monitored connection, ensuring your listings and data are synced accurately and in real-time. You can trust that your information is up-to-date and reduce the risk of errors, saving you time and hassle.

We believe in teamwork! We work closely with our OTA’s, providing you with increased collaboration and access to the latest features and functionalities. This way, you can keep up with industry trends and offer your guests the best possible experience.

We’re always looking for ways to improve. Avantio is committed to continuously enhancing its connection so you always have access to the latest and most relevant data. Our software even includes new fields that map between systems, making managing your property information easier.

Make sure your channel manager software is working for you

In conclusion, a channel management system can be a game-changer for your vacation rental property management business. Avantio’s channel manager software helps you to streamline your operations, increase efficiency and provide guests with the best experience…

Want to know more about Avantio’s channel manager? Book a demo with us today.

Avantio News March 2023

smontes
In Booking.com Connectivity Partners

Optimize your Booking.com pricing strategy with their powerful pricing products

Booking.com’s powerful pricing products: Supercharge your bookings

Supercharge your bookings

Travel is going from strength to strength, and the customer journey is now taking a different shape…

Across the world, the travel sector is in a period of transformation, and in some areas returning to pre-pandemic levels. With this, the way in which people seek and make accommodation reservations has also transformed. 

A one-size-fits-all approach to a Booking.com pricing strategy no longer serves all vacation rental guests, as the travel revival is developing at different rates globally.

Recent statistics from Booking.com help to paint the current picture.

  • Bookings are increasingly being made on mobile devices. In fact, 59% of all bookings made on the Booking.com platform are made via mobile, and Booking.com’s app was the most downloaded OTA app in 2021. 
  • 61% of platform searches are for foreign travel, an increase of 18% from 2021.

With these insights in mind, Booking.com has created two handy and highly effective pricing products, that will allow you to:

  • Increase your bookings by 22% on average
  • Secure revenue by targeting international travelers.
Optimize your Booking.com pricing strategy

Pricing product 1: Mobile Rates

What is a mobile rate in your Booking.com pricing strategy?

A mobile rate is a special discounted rate that’s only visible when someone uses the Booking.com app or accesses the Booking.com website using a mobile browser.

By activating a mobile rate at your property, you can capture the fastest-growing segment of bookers. Interestingly, Millennials account for more than 65% of bookings on Booking.com mobile channels. 

To activate mobile rates, all you have to do is provide mobile users with a special discount. This discount is offered only in the Booking.com app, or both on the app and on Booking.com website in mobile browsers. 

The minimum discount is 10%, although Booking.com advises a 15% discount for optimal engagement. When activated, a unique badge will be shown next to your property in search results and on your property page. This improves visibility and it can boost your mobile booking conversion rate. 

Maximize app and mobile web users

You have the option to target solely iOS/Android app users when you offer a mobile rate, but can also opt to include those using a mobile web browser. Offering both will help you reach a far wider audience!

Here are just some of the benefits of applying a combined mobile rate (for both app and mobile web browser users):

  • Attract both first-time bookers looking for a great price and loyal clients who make repeat bookings. 

First-time bookers use a mobile web browser to book 7 times more often than those who choose to download the app. While repeat loyal bookers find it more convenient to reserve within the downloadable app. 

  • Reach a wider audience. 

You can reach 30% more mobile users by making your deal visible to Chrome, Safari, and other mobile browsers.

Your business benefits from a mobile rate in the following ways:

Attract more booking

More prospective guests visit your property page when you offer a mobile rate.

Stand out in searches

A unique badge will be shown next to your property in search results and on your property page.

Better price, better reviews, better ranking

Millennials make two-thirds of mobile reservations, and they also submit more reviews than any other group of travelers. Getting more of these customers can improve your overall ranking on Booking.com.

Learn how to activate, edit or deactivate a mobile rate on this page.

Optimize your Booking.com pricing strategy

Pricing product 2: Country Rates

What is a country rate in your Booking.com pricing strategy?

Country rates are specific discounts you can provide to customers from your target markets. As peak travel times vary depending on the market, country rates can help you to fill gaps in your unbooked properties and keep you afloat outside of peak season. They can also help you to enter previously untapped markets.

By activating a country rate at your property you can attract guests from specific countries, increase occupancy of your properties, and grow your revenue by offering targeted discounts. 

All you have to do is provide travelers from your targeted countries with a special discount. This discount is offered only to people using the Booking.com platform in the countries or regions you want to target (with an IP address matching the targeted country). 

The minimum discount is 5%, and booking.com suggests a 10% discount for the best outcome. Country rates are active throughout the year, and you can choose a maximum of 30 blocked dates when they don’t apply.

*Please note that country rates are not available in certain countries due to legal or commercial restrictions.

More useful information

Country rates apply to all your rooms and rate plans. The discount adds on to existing discounts from the Genius programme (if you’re a Genius partner), as well as any other promotions you’ve set up. However, country rates do not apply to mobile rates or the Deal of the Day promotion.

Your property’s extranet page will provide customized recommendations for country rates. They can assist you in choosing the areas you might want to target to boost your revenue because they are based on data specific to your property.

Benefits overview

Secure revenue by targeting international travelers

International visitors choose to book earlier and cancel less frequently.

Get more bookings with country-specific rates

When providing a country rate (a discount) during holiday periods or market specific events, you increase the chances of your available properties to be filled.

Boost your visibility on the Booking.com site

Your property will appear higher in Booking.com search results if you provide competitive rates in highly demanded markets.

Learn how to activate, edit or deactivate a country rate on this page.

Final thoughts

As we know, vacation rental is a highly competitive business. Booking.com knows this firsthand, and with the help of its data insights, continuously evolves and provides its products, while sharing the strategies that will help you to be on the top of the game. 

By following the pricing strategies, adapting mobile and country rates, Booking.com offers you a minimum-input opportunity to

  1. Increase your bookings by targeting guests from specific regions
  2. Capture the fastest-growing segment of bookers.

Mobile and country rates are easy to set up, and you can always update the settings of the rates or deactivate them so that potential guests no longer see them. 

Try out this Booking.com pricing strategy to see the difference yourself. 

Polly Shelton
In Booking.com Connectivity Partners, Property Management Tips

How to get more five-star booking.com reviews

Booking.com reviews

Vacation rental hosts and property managers know that in a competitive market, anything that gives your listings the edge in OTA search results in a plus. It’s no secret that securing plenty of rave booking.com reviews is great for your short term rentals, but how can you keep them coming in? 

If you’ve noticed that your review rates are dwindling, or just want to take your review game to the next level, we’ve put together some tips for you. Here’s how to get guests to leave five star booking.com reviews.

Why booking.com reviews are important

Before we get into the nitty gritty of bringing in the booking.com reviews, let’s take a closer look at why they matter. 

Increase trust

Reviews are one of the few impartial sources of information for your prospective guests. While it’s important for you to provide as comprehensive a listing as possible, it’s the validation from other guests that affirms your descriptions. Guest reviews confirm that what you’re saying about your properties is trustworthy. 

Increase visibility

As you’ll be aware, booking.com allows searchers to filter search results from highest rated to lowest rated. There’s also the option to filter according to properties that have received the most reviews overall. Guests seeking a quality ‘Guest Experience’ will prioritize this information over other filters like price or location.

Getting more reviews means more visibility to guests who filter results this way. Getting more 5-star reviews gives you a double advantage.

Keep Content Fresh

Guests don’t value old reviews. In fact, reviews older than three months are generally disregarded by searchers, believing that the reviewer’s experience may no longer be relevant. 

Getting a regular stream of booking.com reviews keeps your listing appearing fresh and relevant to guests. 

Boost Income

Guests are more likely to spend on rental properties with 5 star reviews. Getting great guest evaluations can justify higher rates, increase bookings, and bring in more revenue overall. 

How to bring in the 5 star booking.com reviews

Give an amazing Guest Experience

If you’ve ever had a hospitality experience so wonderful that you’ve just had to leave a glowing review the minute you get home, you’ll know that it’s the hosts who go one step further who really stand out. This is how you can organically inspire more great reviews.

Offering incredible service at every touch point of the guest experience is the key to happy visitors. Whether this is from quick replies to guest messages, or little extra touches in the property itself – making sure your guests alway feel valued and considered is the best way to spark positive reviews. 

Link from your digital guest book

If your stay includes a digital welcome book, include a link to your booking.com profile. This is a smart way to make it easy for guests to find where to leave feedback. 

It means you don’t have to worry about reminding guests, as it’s already part of the communication package. It’s also a more passive approach, if you’d prefer not to ask for a review directly. 

Leave a visual reminder

Leaving a visual prompt in your property is an easy way to remind guests to leave a review. It could be somewhere obvious, like next to the key hook. Or, consider positioning it suggestively next to one of the ‘little extra’ touches you’ve left for guests to discover – like sweet treats in the fridge, or fresh flowers by the window.

Combining the special extras with a visual reminder can be an effective prompt to take action.

Ask at check-out

If you complete check-in and check-out in person, rather than offering keyless door locks, you can use this as an opportunity to ask for feedback.

Inquire with the guests about their experience at your property, thank them for staying with you, and let them know where they can leave a review if they’d like to. 

Send a follow-up

If a few days have passed after the guests’ stay and you haven’t yet received a review, you could send a follow-up message. Using your PMS automated messaging system, create email templates to send X days after check-out.

You can thank them again for their visit, offer them repeat booking discounts, and remind them about where to leave a review. 

Boost your business with more booking.com reviews

Follow these tips to get more 5-star booking.com reviews and boost the online profile of your vacation rental business! Using all the tools of your vacation rental software will help you to offer a fantastic guest experience, optimize your booking.com listings, and also make automating follow-up messages a breeze.

To find out more about how Avantio’s tools can help you manage your vacation rental business, click here. 

webmaster
In Booking.com Connectivity Partners

Key price strategy opportunities at Booking.com

Basis of a pricing strategy

 

Adapt to changing travel needs

We have always known that travelers want competitive, transparent and attractive rates. To secure more bookings, it is very important that each potential customer sees the right price at the right time. It can also help you reduce cancellations, minimize unsold rooms and prevent the need to offer last-minute discounts. A solid foundation is the key to any successful pricing strategy.

The Booking.com rate plans and customizations help you create the most suitable configuration for your business. Once you have your rate plans set up, it’s a good idea to review and optimize them regularly to reach the maximum number of travelers, increase your bookings and achieve higher occupancy over time.

The Avantio and Booking.com connection allows you to create a pricing strategy in a comfortable way thanks to different APIs that we have developed for you.

Here are some tips on how to get the most out of each of these strategic tools that will help you improve conversion and continue to grow.

 

1- Guaranteed secure payments at a non-refundable rate

Reduce cancellations by adding a non-refundable fee.

With a non-refundable rate, clients will pay the full amount if they cancel the reservation or no-show. This type of rate is an excellent way to secure revenue.

According to Booking.com data, adding a non-refundable rate plan to your existing rate plans can reduce your total cancellations, on average, by 9%.

 

Activate your non-refundable rates >

 

2 – Secure your bookings and income in advance

Get early bookings by offering an early booking rate.

The early booking rate helps you boost occupancy early in the season by attracting customers who book their travel well in advance.

Booking.com recommends that you set this promotion for a minimum of 15 days in advance of check-in.

 

Activate your rates for early booking >

3 – Add a specific tariff and increase your visibility on mobiles

Set up a mobile tariff to capture the demand for this type of device.

Booking.com data shows that 75% of bookings are made on mobile devices. Mobile is by far the most important channel for bookings, and is also associated with significant booking behaviors:

● Recurring bookings are more often made on the app.

● First bookings are made seven times more often on a mobile browser.

Although the majority of bookings are made from mobile, this behavior is more evident among younger users. Customers under the age of 35 use their phones to book accommodation 65% of the time. That’s why adding a mobile rate can help make your accommodation more visible among this demographic.

For more information on mobile tariffs, read this article.

 

Activate your mobile rates now >

 

4 – Receive bookings from local customers at a country-specific rate

Set up special rates for your country and attract local demand.

Country rates are special rates offered to travelers from certain countries and regions to make your accommodation more attractive to them. Incorporating them into your pricing strategy is a good way to capture demand from certain segments.

By targeting specific segments with more attractive prices, country rates can help you fill available rooms for special events in specific markets. They also help you increase your visibility by offering competitive rates in countries with high demand.

For more information on country rates, please read this article.

 

Add country rates >

 

5- Boost your income with weekly and monthly rates

Set specific rates to drive occupancy among customers who book longer stays.

The latest data from Booking.com shows that demand for longer stays has increased. Weekly or monthly rates can help you capture this demand by offering a discount to customers who book longer stays.

● Weekly rates require a minimum stay of 7 nights.

● Monthly rates require a minimum stay of 28 nights.

These specific rates can also help you expand your customer base and reach business travelers, families or domestic travelers who want to stay longer.

Weekly and monthly rates will help you ensure more stable and predictable revenue, while reducing your operational burden because you’ll have fewer check-ins and check-outs to manage.

 

Why should you offer a combination of rate plans?

The number of online bookings increases. Travelers book the non-refundable and fully flexible fare plans more than any other plan on our platform. These two fare plans are clearer because it is easy to compare them and choose the best option.

Different preferences for different trips. Our data shows that people book both flexible and non-refundable fare plans, depending on their travel needs and how far in advance they book. It is beneficial to offer both plans so that your rates remain attractive to a wide variety of customers at all times.

More guests at your lodging. Accommodations that have both rate plans receive, on average, a higher percentage of bookings. If you don’t offer non-refundable or fully flexible rate plans, you’re likely losing bookings.

If you want to learn more about how pricing can help you respond to the changing needs of travelers, here‘s all you need to know about pricing foundations.

 

webmaster
In Booking.com Connectivity Partners

How can you improve the Supply Flow of your properties with Booking.com?

What is the Supply Flow?

Supply Flow involves flow of the goods, services or products between suppliers and customers. In the case of Property Managers it includes all the services you can offer to your guests.

 

Source: Booking.com

 

How to measure the Supply Flow of your properties?

Booking.com has introduced the Supply Flow Score, a measure that will help you evaluate the quality of your supply. You can access this metric from the Connectivity Hub.

 

How to improve the Supply Flow of your properties?

In order to maximize the Supply Flow of your properties, you have to keep in mind a few simple rules.

 

Make sure your properties are ready to welcome travellers over the coming months

 

  1. AVAILABILITY. Don’t wait until the next season to open new vacation slots. Do it now and you won’t miss out on potential bookings.

 

Travellers can’t book what they can’t see on [Booking.com]

 

  1. LIMIT STAY RESTRICTIONS. Shorten the length of stay restrictions and appear in more search results.

 

A significant proportion of [Booking.com] searches are for stays of one or two nights

 

  1. ADAPT YOURSELF TO GUESTS’ NEEDS. Offer more short-booking-windows, as the popularity of these has increased during COVID-19.

 

How do restrictions limit the supply flow of your properties?

There are many factors that influence the Supply Flow of your properties. Some of them are external, these are the ones you cannot control. Others are possible to be shaped by your decisions. One of these factors are restrictions. More than a half of the Booking.com partners are keen to loosen up the stay restrictions if it would guarantee the increase in the bookings. See how restrictions limit the supply flow of your properties:

 

  • Your properties are nowhere to be found in the search results.
  • The visibility of your properties is reduced.
  • Travellers who look for a stay outside of your stay restrictions’ range, won’t find your apartments.
  • Limited brand awareness.
  • The properties of your competitors are more bookable.

Want to know more about Supply Flow Score? Find the answers to all of your questions in this guide prepared by Booking.com.

Sustainable Vacation Rentals