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Vacation Rental Industry

Pippa Ellison
In Vacation Rental Industry

Introducing the next generation of Payments by Planet

Payments By Planet

We are excited to announce the launch of our new payment software: Payments by Planet, which helps your business protect and optimize the most sensitive touchpoints of your guest journey.

With Payments by Planet, you can easily and securely process payments, manage customer data, and get insights into your business performance – all from our property management software.

How to choose the right payment gateway integration?

A payment gateway integration allows the secure transfer of funds between your guests and you. When your guest enters their payment details, such as their credit card information, the payment software encrypts this sensitive data. The gateway authorizes the payment to ensure the transaction is secure, fast and efficient. It can also process payments in over 100 currencies, making it easier for you to collect payments from your customers around the world and create a more transparent experience.

Choosing the right payment gateway integration can bring many benefits to your company, including increased security, improved customer experience, reduced fraud and even extra revenue streams.

Payments by Planet – our brand new payment gateway integration

Payments by Planet is directly integrated with our Property Management Software, and Vacation Rental Channel Manager providing you and your guests a secure and seamless experience. Our all-in-one payment platform guarantees secure transactions, integrated automation services with your business model, transparent transactions to improve guest experience, multi-gateway connections and an extra revenue stream through shared exchange rate commissions.

New Payment Gateway Integration

Why choose Payments by Planet?

When there are many options to choose from that do the same thing, how do you narrow the choices down to just one?

Our payment gateway integration offers unique advantages that other payment gateways do not provide. Our clients strive for success, and we design our software to enhance ambition, drive sales and ultimately grow your business. Our payment gateway has been built with the same enthusiasm. 

Let’s take a look at the benefits and features that differentiate Payments by Planet from the competition.  

Earn commission through the payment gateway integration

Unlock untapped revenue streams and expand your global audience. Our payment gateway integration enables you to process payments in multiple currencies, effortlessly expanding your outreach globally. Say goodbye to the hassle of currency conversion – our gateway automatically converts payments to your guests’ native currency, streamlining the payment process and offering them a transparent booking experience.

But that’s not all – our payment gateway integration accepts all card types, lowering the chance of abandoned payments and giving your guests even more flexibility. Additionally, guests can choose alternative payment options, such as mobile payments. With an annual growth rate of 23.8% projected for the mobile payment market between 2021-26, accommodating alternative payment methods is crucial for delivering a positive booking experience through your website.

And the best part? Through Payments by Planet you can join the ‘My Currency Partnership’ Program (MCP*). This is a revenue stream opportunity where you share the exchange rate commission with the gateway. Giving you the opportunity to earn commission every time a non-local payment is made through the software. This presents a huge opportunity for property managers who receive bookings from guests worldwide.

Optimize your operations with integrated automations

As a property manager, you know how important it is to optimize your business processes and offer a seamless payment experience for your guests. With our payment gateway, you can automate charges, refunds, and deposits tailored to your unique business model and booking conditions. Your guests will be notified every step of the way, ensuring they’re always in the loop about their payment journey. With automatic notifications for scheduled payments, you can reduce the risk of missed payments, giving you more time to focus on growing your business.

Our payment gateway is fully integrated with our Property Management Software and Channel Manager, which means booking statuses are auto-updated once payments are completed, saving you valuable time and reducing the risk of human errors that can lead to lost revenue. Technical issues can be a significant problem for failed transactions and lost bookings. Our payment gateway integration offers multiple payment flow options for failed transactions, so you can ensure you never lose revenue due to technical problems.

As our client, you can be assured that your payment process will run smoothly, allowing you to provide your guests with the best possible booking experience.

Offer a secure gateway to protect your payments

You can offer your guests a secure and reliable payment experience with Payment by Planet. Our two-step verification process provides an additional layer of security, meaning that only authorized users can access the payment gateway.

Plus, our gateway automatically verifies guests’ cards and checks funds, so you can be confident that every transaction is legitimate and lower the risk of chargebacks or fraud. Protect your business and guests with our secure payment gateway integration and say goodbye to chargebacks and fraud.

Create an exceptional payment experience for your guests with Payments by Planet. 

Our payment gateway integration displays all fees in your guest’s local currency, promoting transparency and building customer trust. We understand that guests appreciate knowing exactly what they’re paying for – we make it easy for you to provide this level of transparency. As well as displaying fees in local currency, we offer alternative payment options, such as mobile payments, making it even easier for guests to pay.

By prioritizing the guest experience and communicating transparently, you can build a strong brand reputation and differentiate yourself from your competitors. This will lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business, which are essential for long-term success in the property management industry.

The payment gateway integration for you 

In conclusion, Payments by Planet can revolutionize how you process payments for your property management business. This secure, adaptable, and transparent payment software provides a seamless experience for both you and your guests. You can choose the payment gateway integration that works best for your business, while guests can choose the payment option that suits them best.

At Avantio, we’re committed to helping our clients grow their businesses. That’s why we encourage you to discover more about Payments by Planet and optimize your payments today. Contact us to learn more about how this software can benefit your business. 

*MCP = Multi-Currency Pricing. 

 

Pippa Ellison
In Vacation Rental Events, Vacation Rental Industry

Why you should attend a short-term rental conference

short term rental conference avantio

As a property manager, staying updated with the latest trends and technology in the vacation rental market is crucial for success. 

Attending property management events can provide valuable opportunities to network with other industry professionals, find out about the latest technology and gain insights from industry leaders. 

Next week our team will be attending two upcoming events: the Scale Rental Show and the Book Direct Show. We will catch you up on the highlights of these short-term rental conferences and the benefits of attending property management events.

The Scale Rental Show 

The international organization is coming to Barcelona at the World Trade Center on May 17-18, 2023. The Scale Rentals Show is a premium short-term rental conference for professionals that cannot be missed. 

This unique property management event focuses on attendee-driven content, industry experts, and unrivaled networking opportunities. What sets Scale Rentals apart from other short-term rental conferences is that the content is curated around key themes selected by attendees upon registration, ensuring that you get the most relevant and engaging education possible that you need.

Attending the Scale Rentals Show is ideal for vacation rental property managers seeking sustainable growth and long-term success. The conference exclusively focuses on professional short-term rental property management companies managing a minimum of 25 units.

This year, some of the key themes that will be covered at the event include AI, data trends, exit strategies, profitability, sustainability, property acquisition, property management systems, owner relationships, regulation changes, technology, and much more.

At the Scale Rental Show, you’ll have several hours each day to network alongside many of the leading short-term rental operators in the world. You’ll be able to learn from experienced industry experts worldwide who will deliver unrivaled and engaging education talks, panel discussions, and workshops.

What’s more, all presentations and panel discussions at Scale Rentals focus purely on growth and education, with no sales pitches.

the book direct show avantio

The Book Direct Show

Another short-term rental conference we’re attending is the Book Direct Show. This property management event is designed to educate property managers on the benefits of direct bookings and how they can improve their business through direct bookings. 

We are looking forward to showcasing our property management software and channel manager software that help property managers streamline their operations, reduce reliance on third-party booking sites, and increase direct bookings.

At both the Scale Rentals Show and the Book Direct Show, you’ll have the opportunity to come and meet our team in our booth, attend workshops and panel discussions, and gain insights from leading industry professionals.

We’re excited to share our knowledge and experience and help you take your vacation rental business to the next level.

What are the benefits of a short-term rental conference? 

Here are the top 3 benefits of attending short-term rental conferences:

Networking opportunities: Short-term rental conferences provide invaluable networking opportunities with peers and industry leaders. You can learn from their experiences, share insights, and develop valuable connections that can benefit your business.

Education and learning: property management events offer educational opportunities that can help you stay updated with the latest trends, technology, and best practices in the short-term rental industry. You can attend workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches to help you improve your business and stay ahead of the competition.

Insights from industry leaders: By attending conferences, you gain access to some of the industry’s most influential and experienced professionals. You can learn from their successes and challenges, gain insights into the latest trends and technology, and better understand the market and its direction.

Exposure to new products and services: Conferences are an excellent opportunity to discover new products and services that can help you in your day-to-day business tasks, reduce business costs, and increase profits. You can meet with partners and service providers in person to learn about their services and how they can help your business grow.

See you at the next short-term rental conference

If you’re a property manager looking to stay ahead of the curve in the short-term rental market, try to attend property management events to keep you and your business updated on the latest in the sector.

These events are fantastic opportunities to network, learn from professionals, and gain insights from industry leaders. 

Get your ticket to the Scale Rentals Show or the Book Direct Show now – we hope to see you there!

Pippa Ellison
In Vacation Rental Events, Vacation Rental Industry

Shortyz Awards 2023 – Avantio BEST PMS and Channel Manager

Avantio shortyz 2023

We have some exciting news to share with you!

We have been awarded as the BEST PMS (Property Management Software) and the BEST Channel Manager for the Vacation Rental Industry at the esteemed Shortyz awards. We are honored to receive this recognition and wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude to each and every one of you who made this possible.

shortyz short term-rentalz

The Shortyz Awards by Short Term Rentalz

What makes the Shortyz Awards so special? ShortTermRentalz is a leading source of news and insights for the fast-growing and dynamic vacation rental industry. As a part of the International Hospitality Media portfolio, the company provides in-depth and up-to-date coverage of the latest trends, developments, and everything you need to know in the industry.

Being nominated for the Shortyz Awards was a huge milestone for us and winning both the awards, for BEST PMS and BEST Channel Manager for the Vacation Rental Industry, is an important achievement in our journey. Reflecting on the growth of the past year fills us with gratitude and inspires us to continue progressing. 

Our team is more determined than ever to continue improving our services and tools so that we can exceed your expectations and help you achieve your goals. 

Your vote at the Shortyz Awards 2023

The Shortyz awards are voted for by the public. We truly can’t thank you enough for your votes and support through the Shortyz Awards process.

We want to dedicate these awards to you, our clients, who have trusted us with your vacation rental properties and relied on our software solutions to manage and grow your vacation rental business.

Your collaboration helps us improve our services and products and pushes us to work to make our software the best it can be. We cannot thank you enough for your valuable input and continued support. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Avantio best pms shortyz 2023

Winner of Best PMS at the Shortyz Awards 2023!

Our property management software for the Vacation Rental Industry is designed to simplify your life as a property manager. With our intuitive interface, you can easily manage your bookings, track your expenses and revenue, automate your communication with guests, and keep track of daily tasks.

But that’s not all. We also offer advanced features like automated pricing strategies, managing discounts and commissions, and real-time market data to help you stay ahead of the competition. 

At the heart of our property management software is our commitment to providing you with the best possible solutions. Take a look at everything our Property Management Software has to offer. 

Avantio best channel manager shortyz 2023

Winner of Best Channel manager at the Shortyz Awards 2023!

As a recognized and awarded partner of the top 3 online travel agencies (Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com), our Channel Manager for the Vacation Rental Industry provides a centralized hub where property managers can manage their properties in real-time across multiple channels, all from our single interface.

Using our channel management software can be a game-changer for your business. You can say goodbye to manual updates, as our channel manager has direct connectivity with each OTA’s system. 

Our channel manager software for the Vacation Rental Industry, helps you to streamline your operations, increase efficiency, and provide guests with the best experience. Check out all the features our channel manager software has to offer.

Let’s keep going

Thank you again to the judges, sponsors, and Short Term Rentalz for hosting such a fun Shortyz Awards 2023. A huge thank you to the Avantio team, our trusted partners, and of course, Planet.

We are excited to see what the future holds and where the rest of 2023 takes us. We will continue to work hard to provide you with the best vacation rental property management software and channel manager for the Vacation Rental Industry. 

Once again, thank you for your trust and support. These awards belong to you as much as they belong to us.

webmaster
In Property Management Tips, Vacation Rental Industry

Sustainable Tourism Statistics: 2023 Ultimate List Statistics and Trends

Sustainable-Tourism-Statistics 2023 Ultimate List-Statistics and Trends

Three years on from the start of the global pandemic, the tourism sector is going from strength to strength. With the push to make up for lost time, a new profile of sustainable traveler has emerged, with environmental and ethical considerations now key factors in travel decision-making. In fact, 69% of tourists plan to travel sustainably in 2023.

This evolution in mindset comes at a time when responsible travel is urgently needed. Whether that means reducing your energy consumption or preserving the culture of a local community, sustainability is no longer a choice, but an imperative that will impact our society and the vacation rental industry in the years to come.

This needn’t be a struggle for vacation rental professionals, but instead is an opportunity to future-proof your business. With the global sustainable tourism industry valued at 181.1bn USD, it’s time to take steps towards an environmentally sustainable vacation rental business.

In this article, we’ve put together some of the most important sustainable tourism statistics and trends to help professional property managers to be at the forefront of the hospitality industry.

What is ecotourism?

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) describes sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities”. 

This type of responsible travel, also known as ecotourism, has become increasingly popular in recent years, with reports showing that 81% of travelers worldwide believe that sustainable travel is important.

For property managers seeking to align with traveler values and appeal directly to this sector – undertaking sustainable habits is a crucial step. 

Which countries are most sustainable?

According to the 2022 Sustainable Development Report, the countries with the highest overall performance on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were:

    1. Finland
    2. Denmark
    3. Sweden
    4. Norway
    5. Austria

While these results are mainly due to proactive governments that develop protective policies and regulations against climate change, they can still be used as inspiration by countries whose decision-making representatives have failed to take action.

In Finland, for example, people have a deep appreciation for nature and connect with it at a very early age. This mindset is intensified in their adult life and results in a population that fights to protect their environment and preserve natural resources.

As stakeholders of global tourism, property managers can take small steps towards promoting this mentality to guests by starting a garden or recommending a variety of nature escapes that focus on the biodiversity of the area. 

Sustainable Tourism Statistics Shaping the Travel Industry

Sustainable Tourism Statistics Shaping the Travel Industry

We’ve gathered relevant sustainable tourism statistics and trends that are quickly shaping the vacation rental industry and tourism sector.

Professional property managers around the world can use this knowledge to boost their vacation rental business. That’s because, aside from taking care of your surrounding environment, economy, and society, sustainable actions also increase your vacation rental profitability by targeting an emerging group of conscious global travelers.  

1. Guests need clarity on sustainable travel

Recent stats suggest that 61% of travelers are interested in learning more about ecotourism, whereas only 46% feel clear on how to actually arrange sustainable trips. This is where property managers can help out. By making it clear which steps have been taken to make your vacation rentals more eco-friendly, you’re helping guests to make informed decisions about their travel. 

If in doubt about where to begin, consider seeking guidance from vacation rental sustainability experts, who can offer free resources to help you go green. 

2. Guests are actively seeking eco-friendly accommodation

A survey of travelers’ plans for 2023 saw that 78% planned to stay in eco-friendly accommodation this year. 

Further, recent studies suggest that pro-sustainable tourists are prepared to pay more for green stays. This not only suggests the potential for increased revenue at sustainable vacation rentals, but also the opportunity to offset any costs associated with switching to more green practices. 

Communicating what steps have been made to make a property eco-friendly will help your vacation rental business stand out from competitors and increase bookings. Whether that be on your website or in listing descriptions, be sure to clearly highlight what efforts have gone into this sustainable experience.

 To kick-start your inspiration, here are just a few simple things you can try to reduce the carbon footprint of your rental properties. 

  • Make eco-friendly changes such as using energy-efficient appliances
  • Invest in smart home technology to reduce energy waste
  • Make recycling options clear
  • Provide bicycles and other sustainable transportation options (a big plus for any luxury vacation rental)

For more tips on how to go green, check out our article on how to guarantee a sustainable vacation rental.

3. Here’s what they expect from you:

According to Booking.com’s latest Sustainable Travel Report, travelers expect more from accommodation providers and property managers than ever before: 

    • 35% believe that air conditioners and heaters should be controlled by keycards or energy-saving sensors.
    • 32% think that accommodation providers should offer information on local ecosystems, heritage, culture, and visitor etiquette.
    • 27% want to be able to opt out of daily room cleaning to reduce water usage.
    • 27% would only like to use reusable plates and cutlery for meals and room service.

While some of these adaptations can be applied immediately, such as cutting out single-use products, others may require more time, effort, and money. For the best results, work on changes that are feasible at the moment and create a long-term sustainability plan for improvements that you’d like to achieve in the future. 

4. Guests are prepared to go off-peak and off-path

40% of travelers are now prepared to travel exclusively outside of peak season, and 64% are willing to consider less-popular destinations to reduce overcrowding and adverse environmental impact. This indicates a step away from busy resort vacations, and a preference for quieter, more authentic experiences, in harmony with sustainable practices. 

However, 42% of prospective travelers state that it can be difficult to find uncrowded destinations, and 34% have struggled to find sustainable options, suggesting an opportunity for travel providers to highlight and promote sustainable properties which are worth visiting outside of standard seasons. 

Sustainable Tourism Statistics Prioritizing immersion in nature and local culture

5. Prioritizing immersion in nature and local culture

As travelers seek to avoid mass tourism and the environmental consequences that come with it, 80% are now expressing a desire to learn about the local culture when on vacation and 76% would like to feel that they’re reconnecting with nature.

Property managers could appeal to this emerging profile of guests by offering the option of:

  • A local area guide with insider tips and recommendations for authentic restaurants, hidden gems, cultural tours, and events.
  • Partnerships with local companies and responsible tour operators that offer a variety of activities such as bike tours, cooking classes, and language exchanges
  • Easy-to-follow routes and maps for approved nature trails that guests can use to explore the area on their own. 

6. Guests’ environmental concerns vary

When we think of the environmental impact of travel, CO2 emissions are usually the main concern. However, only 29% of travelers have cited this as a source of worry, compared with 30% who are concerned about overtourism, 38% who are conscious of threats to wildlife and natural habitats, and 46% worried about creating excess waste.

Vacation rental professionals can offset this biggest concern by taking steps to reduce the waste associated with a guest’s stay. Consider installing a water filter to avoid plastic bottles, provide eco-friendly and reusable shopping bags, and create a list of local produce markets in the area that guests can visit for a plastic-free experience.

7. Partnering with local businesses is the way forward

During their travels, 42% of people make a point of shopping at small businesses to support the local economy.

To further encourage this trend, you can buy toiletries, kitchen essentials, bedding, and furniture from independent, local businesses instead of ordering online or opting for mass-producing chains.

Drive extra revenue by upselling services and experiences like group yoga sessions or snorkeling tours. All it takes is a partnership with a local company to positively impact the economy and earn more money.

8. Travel companies are expected to step up

When asked about who is accountable for making positive environmental changes regarding travel, 26% responded with the government, 23% said tourism authorities, and 20% mentioned themselves, 8% said accommodation providers, and 6% said online travel agents.

Travel companies have already started taking action, which can be seen through the Future of Tourism Coalition. This coalition was formed by six non-profit organizations to create a set of principles that will enforce sustainable growth within the international tourism industry.

Sustainable tourism statistics for a greener future

Staying on top of the latest trends and keeping up to date with vacation rental statistics, is a crucial part of any successful property manager’s job, especially when it comes to sustainable tourism. With the right information based on sustainable tourism statistics, you can implement conscious changes that help your business grow and also leave a positive impact on the environment, economy, and society.

Envirorental Earth website
Polly Shelton
In Property Management Tips, Vacation Rental Industry

Avantio: the best property management software for US businesses

Why is Avantio the best property management software for USA-based property managers?

As recently described in our ‘Global but Local’ France blog, at Avantio we’re dedicated to providing maximum value to our clients across the world. Our ecosystem of vacation rental management tools is specifically adapted to the needs of professional property managers in the USA.

Join us as we break down how we help our American clients to streamline and optimize their vacation rental businesses.

All-in-one solution

You may have seen that we describe our vacation rental software as ‘all-in-one’. What do we mean by this? 

We have created tools that perform all the tasks associated with effectively managing your vacation rental properties – and they’re all perfectly integrated with each other. 

Our property management software is purpose-built for vacation rental properties – from our multi-calendar feature to our revenue planning tools.

Our channel manager enables you to synchronize your properties’ content and booking calendars across all connected channels – straight from the data you’ve set up in your PMS. 

Combining these two powerful tools with your own custom booking-engine website gives you the autonomy and flexibility to increase your direct bookings with minimum effort. 

Having a single tech partner to collaborate with for all these major business functions is a major boon for our US clients. Valuing the peace of mind that all of your tools are specifically crafted to perform together, and the simplicity of having one point of contact for all support needs. 

Partnered with the top OTAs

We know that our US clients value products which come with a seal of approval. Reassuringly, our software has been awarded ‘preferred partner’ status by the top three global online travel agents: Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com.

This prestigious accolade is granted thanks to technical standards of our software and the quality of our integrations with the global platforms.

These top three vacation rental sites are also connected to our Unified Inbox. This feature enables you to manage all guest, owner, and service provider correspondence from one platform, so you never have to worry about missing a message.

Finance integrations

We know that payment processes can be one of the more sensitive points of the guest journey. Avantio Payments is our vacation rental payments software, created to ensure secure, frictionless transactions. 

Our software offers nine different payment gateways, including Stripe, one of the top gateways in the US. This gives our clients peace of mind that payments will be processed swiftly and securely, avoiding any hiccups as guests make reservations.

When it comes to the routine administration of business accounts, we’ve partnered accounting platform Quickbooks, so that you can continue managing income, expenses, taxes, and all transactions within your preferred bookkeeping system.

Custom booking-engine websites

Increasing direct bookings and reducing reliance on the middle-man is one of the top priorities of many of our clients in the States. Our custom websites enable clients to browse and filter your properties and reserve directly through your site in just three clicks. 

Your website is the store window of your vacation rental business, so we know how important it is to have a design that will capture and engage your target market. When you choose an Avantio website, your project manager will work with you to create a website with design and features to set you apart from your competitors. 

Our digital marketing team is also on hand with the latest techniques to help you build your online presence. This helps to position your website in search engine results, and also to establish your brand as a leader in your niche.

Flat monthly rate

Unlike many US-based PMS or channel managers, we just charge a flat monthly rate based on the number of units you are managing with the software. We also charge zero commission on bookings through our channel manager. Our US-based clients tell us that our simple and transparent pricing structure is incredibly competitive and one of Avantio’s major draws, making us the best property management software.

Third-party integrations: best property management software

We know that many of our clients in the US value tools that perform additional functions for their businesses. Whether it’s dynamic pricing software that provides deep data insights, or home automation tools to make property access and management a breeze, our marketplace features leading companies in the vacation rental sector. These partners have fully integrated with Avantio, meaning our products work seamlessly together to help you get maximum value from your business.

The best property management software for US clients

We know that our clients with ski chalets in Colorado have significantly different business models and administrative processes to those with condos in Miami or lofts in Seattle. Our US-team’s deep knowledge of the quirks and characteristics of the vacation rental sector in your area ensures that we’re supporting you to get maximum value from your properties.

Discover what makes Avantio the best property management software and sets us apart from the rest. Contact us for a discovery call today.

Polly Shelton
In Property Management Tips, Vacation Rental Industry

How Avantio helps you manage your French vacation rentals

France vacation rental home

Here at Avantio, we proudly describe ourselves as ‘Global but Local’.

But what do we really mean by this?

As a vacation rental software company with clients across the world, we’re conscious of remaining as valuable and in-touch with our clients in the UAE or Mexico, as we are with those in France or Malta. 

So, how exactly is Avantio’s expansive ecosystem carefully adapted to the needs of our valued clients with properties in France? Let’s take a closer look at how we help clients manage their France vacation rentals!

We speak your language

Firstly, we know the importance of both understanding and being understood when it comes to business. 

From your first discovery call through to onboarding, customer care, and your dedicated account manager on our Partner Success team – we not only speak French – we have a deep understanding of the nuances of your market. 

Beyond our French-speaking team members, we also have all of our software and tools available in French, can create your vacation rental website in French, assist with French-market digital marketing, and ensure all client correspondence templates are available in French where necessary.

Owner invoicing

Although available to all markets, we know that our French clients in particular value the option of managing owner invoicing directly from Avantio’s software. Whether you’re invoicing owners or making payments to them, you can monitor activity in the owner’s account and automatically issue remittances, statements and invoices accordingly. 

You can also set up automatic transfers, so owner payments are taken care of without a second thought. Being able to automate these administrative tasks frees your team up to focus on other priorities. 

Channel manager

Our French clients have incredibly varied business models, with different seasonality and target markets. From Cote d’Azur holiday homes that are packed in the summer months, to Paris city escapes that see peak bookings at weekends, it’s vital that our clients are able to get the most out of their properties with an intuitive and effective Channel Manager.

Avantio’s Channel Manager offers a complete connection, eliminating the need to create listings both within the software and for each portal. Both flexible and incredibly powerful, it’s easy to adjust rates for different portals, set discounts or supplements according to specific conditions, and use the ‘stop sell’ feature to block chosen periods within your calendar at peak times, to encourage more direct bookings. 

Niche portals for France vacation rentals

At Avantio, we understand that a successful distribution strategy combines global portals with local and niche channels. We have outstanding connections with three of the biggest global portals – Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. We’ve also been awarded ‘preferred partner’ status by each, for the strength and quality of our connections. As France has been Airbnb’s biggest market outside of the US, it’s clear that strong portal connections are essential for success in the country. 

Our local and niche portals enable you to showcase your properties to the ideal market – from ski resorts to city breaks. For our French market, our portal connections include Le Figaro, Google Vacation Rentals, Locasun-Leboncoin, Vacances.com, Magicstay, Groupe TravelFactory, My home in, Ingénie, Likibu, and Ovo network. 

We’re continuously working hard to add more portals to the portfolio – listening to our clients to ensure we have all necessary connections to make your business run optimally. 

Payment automation

We know that money transfers can be a sensitive subject when it comes to managing vacation rentals, but collecting guest payments needn’t be a hassle. Automate the collection of guest booking payments, including deposits, with the tools and partners of Avantio’s ecosystem. 

Our partner Swikly is specialized in the French market. Their software makes it simple to collect security deposits from guests, offering peace of mind for all involved. 

Avantio’s integration with the Syspay payment platform offers a special rate of just 0.9% for payments made from France – enabling our clients to save money on payment transfers. Furthermore, our partner Ingenico can operate as an intermediary and connect with almost all French banks.  

We’re also fully integrated with Quickbooks, in case that’s your accounting software of choice.

Multi gateway

We are fully aware that French vacation rental business models can vary, with the Conciergerie model being popular with many of our clients. Our multi gateway function means that owners can collect booking payments directly from guests. You can then issue an invoice to the owner, with full NF525 certification compliance. 

Operations management

Task management is a core part of our clients’ workload, and our French market is no different.

Avantio’s Operations Management Tool transforms the way you communicate with and manage your service providers. This function enables you to create different types of tasks and assign them to internal team members or external service providers. 

Internal team members can take full control of their assigned tasks via the Avantio system. Meanwhile, external service providers access all task details in the intranet directly from the web app.

It’s also possible for all users to add photos to tasks, keeping all stakeholders informed on the progress of tasks. 

Clients with France vacation rentals

We know that our property managers in the Alps have significantly different businesses and processes to those with seasonal properties in Cannes. Deep understanding of what drives our clients’ France vacation rentals businesses forward enables us to continue evolving our software accordingly. 

We’re not just creating tools to help you to monitor and manage bookings – we help you to generate more bookings. Check out this interview with one of our French clients to find out how working with Avantio helped them to grow their business. 

Polly Shelton
In Property Management Tips, Vacation Rental Industry, Vacation Rental Sites

Alternatives to Airbnb: which vacation rental site is best for your properties?

Alternatives to Airbnb

With the vacation rental sector expected to be valued at $119.0 billion within the next few years, the vacation landscape is clearly in a time of huge transformation. Those who have invested in rental properties, or work in the property management sector, will know that Airbnb is the brand most commonly associated with the growth of the sector. The company had led the way in revolutionizing how people search for and book their vacations. 

However, Airbnb are not the only leaders in the sector. Sites like Airbnb are popping up all over the web, each positioning themselves as Airbnb alternatives, and with varying USPs. 

So, which are the best Airbnb competitors? What makes them different? And how do you know if they’re right for your properties? Here we explore some of the top global OTAs and vacation rental search sites, to see which alternatives to Airbnb are going to perform before for your business. 

Airbnb

Key Features

  • Undoubtedly one of the most recognizable vacation rental companies in the world, Airbnb is still reigning supreme, with over 6 million listings globally. 
  • Airbnb guest profiles typically fall into the Millennial bracket, with tourists looking for unique, characterful properties. 
  • As Airbnb includes the option for hosts to rent out sections of their property (a bedroom or annex for example), many Airbnb hosts offer a more personal, home-from-home experience, compared with a hotel room or resort. 

Airbnb and Avantio

We’ve been connected to Airbnb since 2016, and we were one of the first European channel managers to make the connection. We’ve also been awarded Preferred Partner status by the top OTA for the last three years, in recognition of our consistently successful API connection.

Consider this portal if…

  • You want your properties to be displayed on one of the most globally recognized vacation rental platforms.
  • Airbnbs tend to have longer bookings, compared with booking.com for example, so this may be a good option if you’re smart with your pricing strategies. 
  • You have a unique property with Instagram-ready features, that will appeal to a more aesthetically-driven market.

Booking.com

Key features

  • Another of the ‘top 3’ most recognizable OTA sites, booking.com has over 28 million listings, over six million of which fall into the vacation rental category. 
  • Booking.com is more generally recognized for its hotel listings, but the vacation rental listing function is also very strong. There’s also a very wide range of properties listed, from budget hostel beds to luxury apartments. 
  • The site tends to attract families, or a more mature audience, compared with Airbnb for example. 
  • Booking.com is known for having a lot of filter and search functions, making it easier for guests to narrow down the many search results to show only specific features, for example parking or breakfast included. 

Booking.com and Avantio

We’ve been connected to booking.com since 2012, and have been awarded Premier Partner status for the last three consecutive years. 

Consider this alternative to Airbnb if…

  • Your properties offer lots of valuable features that guests may be filtering their searches for. 
  • You have all-purpose (not niche) properties, that can appeal to guests with a variety of rental needs, e.g. family vacations, corporate stays. 
  • You don’t mind competing with hotel rooms.
  • You’re happy to receive shorter bookings. Booking.com tends to have shorter booking periods compared with other sites. 

Vrbo

Key features

  • One of the biggest global vacation rental sites, and one of the first, predating Airbnb by 12 years. 
  • Vrbo generally features entire rental properties, with no ‘shared spaces’. As a result, there are no hosted experiences, and guests always have the entire place to themselves. 
  • The properties listed on Vrbo are usually on the larger side, and more geared towards family and group vacations. 
  • There are fewer budget-friendly options listed on the site. 

Vrbo and Avantio

Vrbo connected with Avantio’s API in 2013. When we saw how valuable this was to our clients, we were one of the first companies to develop a full content API. We’ve been Preferred Partners of Vrbo since 2020. 

Consider this alternative to Airbnb if…

  • You have family-friendly properties you’d like to present to a global audience. 
  • You’d like to encourage longer bookings.
  • You’d like the option to choose either an annual fee or fee per booking.

Google Vacation Rentals

Key features

  • Google’s meta search feature draws vacation rental listings directly from some OTAs, and some approved connectivity partners. 
  • If your properties appear through an OTA listing, the client will be taken to that site to complete the booking. 
  • If you’ve registered with one of the few approved connectivity partners, you can publish your listings directly to Google. This means that any clicks on your property will take potential guests straight to your website. 

Connected to Avantio since

Google launched the ‘Vacation Rentals’ product in 2020, and we connected the following year.

Consider connecting to Google via Avantio if…

  • You’d like to showcase your properties directly on the world’s biggest search engine.
  • You’d like to increase your direct bookings, with zero commission or fees.
  • You want your company’s logo to appear on the search listings.

Plum Guide

Key Features

  • Plum Guide offers a high-end collection of rental properties, featuring only 1 in every 100 properties in each area. 
  • Each property is handpicked through a stringent vetting process, needing to pass a full checklist of tests to be accepted. Everything is considered, from pillow quality to the shower pressure.
  • The client profile is affluent and prepared to spend for the experience they’re looking for. 
  • The majority of properties listed are currently in Europe and the US. 

Plum Guide and Avantio

We formed our connection with Plum Guide in 2022, and are delighted to offer this exclusive platform to our clients. 

Consider this alternative to Airbnb if:

  • You have outstanding properties that are likely to pass the Plum Guide test. 
  • You’d like to welcome a more high-end audience.
  • You’re passionate about providing an immaculate guest experience. 

HomeToGo

Key Features

  • Boasting the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals, HomeToGo is a vacation rental marketplace, enabling guests to search and compare over 17 million properties. 
  • There’s a remarkable variety of properties offered, from single budget rooms to sprawling castles. 
  • The website is available in 12 languages, meaning wide reaching visibility for your properties.
  • Instant booking functionality makes it simple for guests to book properties.

HomeToGo and Avantio

We first connected with HomeToGo in 2016, and now our clients have over 30,000 properties connected to the site at any one time.

Connect to HomeToGo via Avantio if:

  • You have a varied portfolio of properties you’d like to target to different audiences.
  • You want your properties included in the ‘worlds largest selection of vacation rental properties’, with millions of users each year. 
  • You like a ‘low risk’ listing. It’s free to initially list on HomeToGo, and you can choose between split-fee or host-only fee for any bookings received.

Homes and Villas by Marriott

Key Features

  • Marriott launched their rental property brand in 2019, as an exclusive channel for professionally managed luxury properties. 
  • The platform has properties in 45 countries, each with premium amenities. 
  • All listed properties must be registered with one of Marriott’s premium property management companies. 
  • As the name suggests, Marriott only offer private homes – no shared apartments or room rentals. 

Homes and Villas by Marriott and Avantio

We launched our connection in 2021, and have been going from strength to strength ever since. 

Consider this alternative to Airbnb if…

  • You have luxury properties which will meet Marriott’s quality requirements.
  • You’d like your properties to be promoted by an esteemed global brand with nearly 100 years of prestige. 
  • You’re happy to work with one of Marriott’s approved property management companies.

Connect with confidence

Whether you choose to list your properties on one or all of these channels, be sure you’re using the tools that enable you to list in confidence. Choose a channel manager with intuitive functions, zero commission on bookings, and consistently excellent connections to the world’s best vacation rental websites.

Polly Shelton
In Vacation Rental Industry

The pros and cons of offering pet friendly vacation rentals

It’s no secret that the new profile of travelers appear to have new priorities compared to their predecessors. The entire travel industry looks a little different as it emerges from the latest challenges, and this is equally prevalent in vacation rentals, where increasing numbers of guests are choosing to travel with their pets.

With demand for pet-friendly rentals growing by 40% in just one year – this is something that property managers need to pay attention to if they want to stay competitive and draw the best possible client base. If you’re wondering whether offering pet-friendly vacation rentals is the right choice for your business, let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

The pros of offering pet-friendly vacation rentals

There are significant advantages for property managers considering making their vacation rentals pet-friendly. Let’s take a look at a few.

Reach new markets

70% of Americans are pet owners, and Google searches for ‘pet-friendly airbnb’ are at an all time high – there’s clearly demand for taking pets on vacation. If the properties you manage have traditionally been pet-free, opening your doors to guests’ best friends could also open your business up to new markets.

Classifying your properties as ‘pet-friendly’ on your OTAs of choice will mean you appear in more guest searches and are visible to a whole new section of the market. This increases your chances of receiving more bookings.

Increase Your Income

Many vacation rental property managers offset any potential costs associated with allowing pets by adding a surcharge to the property. Guests are usually happy to pay a little extra for the convenience of having their pets with them, and not having to shell out for boarding.

These extra funds can be used in the event that any additional cleaning is necessary, or repairs are required. Much of the time, however, you won’t need to do any extra maintenance and the surcharge can be added to your income for the booking.

Get Longer Bookings

Pet owners know that arranging care for their animals while they’re on vacation can be tricky and costly. If guests don’t need to leave their pets at home, they’re given much more freedom when it comes to their travels.

When guests can eliminate the stress and expense of leaving their pets behind, they’re more likely to feel comfortable spending longer away from home. This can mean longer reservations in your rental properties, meaning higher value bookings for you.

Build Guest Loyalty

Guests love to take the stress out of booking a vacation. If they find the ideal property – suitable for the entire family – they’re much more likely to return year on year. Repeat bookings can also take the usual booking engine commissions out of the equation, with guests able to reserve with you directly.

pet friendly rental

The cons of offering a pet-friendly rental

While pet-friendly vacation rentals can be a smart business move for vacation rental property managers, there are some potential downsides that are worth considering.

Noise Issues

Even if you request ‘well behaved pets only’ on your property listing, when in a different environment, even the best behaved animals can become agitated or excitable – which may lead to more noise than expected. Noisy pets can be the cause of complaints from other guests or neighbors. Not something that any property manager wants to deal with.

This one can be tricky to manage, as everyone has different standards of what they consider acceptable noise levels. This is where smart devices like Roomonitor can step in. These tools register noise over a certain level, and will notify guests of the concern. They can also mediate with guests on your behalf, where necessary.

Vacation Rental Damage

Cats love to explore, and the curious companions will usually attempt to get into all nooks and crannies to see what they can find. If you have shelves with ornaments, consider replacing them with something less valuable, in case they get knocked off. You may also find that any visiting cats sharpen their claws on your furniture or delicate curtains.

Dogs are also capable of causing their fair share of damage, scratching at doors or chewing up parts of the property. With any pets, there’s also the risk of toilet accidents happening in the accommodation. These risks should be factored in when choosing your vacation rental insurance.

Environmental Challenges

Pet owners know that it’s essential to stay on top of treatments to prevent picking up pests. However, even with the best of intentions, animals can carry critters around – which can make their way into your property. To prevent infestations and keep your property pest-free, you may have to conduct specialized deep cleaning.

There’s also the matter of allergies. Even after a thorough cleaning, guests with severe pet allergies may be affected by previous visitors. To avoid any issues, be sure to notify guests that your properties are pet-friendly and may have been previously occupied by animals.

How to make your properties pet-friendly

If you’re planning to open your doors to guests and their furry (feathered, scaly…) friends, there are certain steps you can take to make sure the switch goes smoothly.

Offer Pet Facilities

To help guests and their furry counterparts feel at home in your property, make sure that you’re set up to receive guests of different species. This may be a matter of providing treats, food bowls or pet bedding. You could also include some basic supplies such as spare leashes, toys, or poop bags, in case these have been forgotten at home.

If the rental is in a hot climate, you could set out some cooling mats, or heating pads for cold regions. All of these little touches will help you to offer guests a complete experience and demonstrate that you go the extra mile for their comfort.

Clarify The Rules

So that everyone knows where they stand and to avoid any misunderstandings, it’s important to make sure that the rental rules are clear for your guests. When it comes to animals, this can be a case of clarifying behavioral expectations in shared areas. Stating where animals are permitted to go and any areas which are off limits. You can mention the noise expectations and any systems in place to manage these.

If your rental includes a digital welcome book, you could also mention nearby parks, walks or dog-friendly restaurants, so that guests know where to take their pooches.

Protect Your Furnishings

To prevent any of the aforementioned damage or pest concerns, consider adding additional protective covers to beds, chairs and sofas. These can reduce damage from scratching and also prevent staining.

It’s also an idea to buy practical furniture and fittings made of resilient materials (particularly table legs and door frames), so that they’re less susceptible to damage from claws and teeth.

If you’re planning a complete overhaul of your property, it may be worth investing in scratch and stain proof flooring, as well as easy to clean wall paint or coverings.

Insure For Success

For additional peace of mind, you can ask guests to pay an additional damage deposit, to cover any animal-caused repairs that may be needed. Guests will likely be happy with this arrangement, as it also gives them peace of mind for their stay.

Optimize Your Listings

To reap all of the rewards of going pet-friendly, be sure to optimize your listings accordingly. This means ensuring that all of your OTA listings are updated to reflect that you’re now welcoming animals. With Avantio’s Channel Manager, you can make such updates easily from one platform. Why not add some new photos of pets enjoying your properties, while you’re at it?

Be sure that your own vacation rental website reflects the changes you’ve made to your pet policies, so that visitors can quickly and easily see that you’re now a pet friendly vacation rental.

Welcome your new guests

If you’ve decided to jump into pet friendly vacation rentals with all four feet, then following the steps above will put you in good stead to start welcoming your new guests.

To get the most out of your newly pet-friendly vacation rentals, be sure to use the full toolkit of revenue-boosting tools available through Avantio. Contact us today to find out more.

webmaster
In Vacation Rental Industry

How Avantio’s vacation rental management software became the Preferred Partner of top global OTAs

Choosing a vacation rental management software is a pivotal point in the growth of a property management company. The tools you use to structure and streamline your business processes are crucial for enabling your business to scale successfully. With the global value of vacation rental revenue expected to reach $81.14bn this year, property managers need to harness all available resources to take their piece of the pie.

When it comes to property management tools, a high-quality connection to the top OTAs is key for consistent growth. But if rental management software carries the ‘Preferred Partner’ seal of approval from Airbnb, Booking and Vrbo, what does it really mean? Let’s take a look at how Avantio has achieved Preferred Partner status and the value it adds for our clients.

 

Airbnb preferred partner rental management software

 

Avantio and Airbnb

Founded in San Francisco in 2008, in under 15 years Airbnb has grown to become one of the biggest global names in vacation rentals, with over 12 million listings across the world.

Avantio first connected with Airbnb in 2016 and was one of the very first European channel managers to do so, enabling our clients to list properties on the top channel. Our relationship has since gone from strength to strength, and we were first awarded Preferred Partner status in 2020, continuing this accolade into the current year.

 

Airbnb Preferred Partner Requirements

Many channel managers are connected to Airbnb across the world, but few have the technical standards to meet ‘Preferred Partner’ requirements. This is awarded to software partners that meet or exceed Airbnb’s performance and technical requirements. They must have fully integrated API connectivity and meet specific criteria to ensure the highest quality for clients connecting via the system.

To achieve this, Avantio has had to demonstrate that we are invested in collaborating on integration quality to deliver a consistently successful API connection. Airbnb has Preferred Partner software categories for both PMS and Channel Managers and Avantio has been approved for each.

 

Preferred partner rental management software booking.com

 

Avantio and Booking.com

Booking.com was founded in Amsterdam in 1996 and is now one of the longest established global online travel agencies, with properties in more than 220 countries and territories.

Avantio first connected with Booking.com in 2012, giving our clients the opportunity to market their properties to this enormous audience. We’ve maintained a close relationship over the last ten years, continuing to evolve our software for the optimum connection. We’ve achieved an incredibly high level of compatibility, meaning our clients can publish listings with detailed accuracy to maximize visibility.

Our relationship continues to thrive and we were awarded Premier Partner status by Booking in 2020, an accolade we have maintained for three consecutive years.

 

Booking.com Premier Partner Requirements

Booking.com Premier Partner status is awarded annually, with performance monitored quarterly, to ensure that high standards are maintained consistently year-round.

The assessment includes stringent evaluation of metrics such as business value, property performance, connectivity solutions, engagement, and deals. The Avantio team works hard to ensure that our software is always evolving to meet the standards set by this leading OTA, so that we can continue delivering a top connection to our clients.

 

 

Avantio and Vrbo

First known as ‘Vacation Rentals By Owner’, Vrbo was founded in Colorado in 1995, with the purpose of renting out condos at a ski resort. After a decade of growth, Vrbo was acquired by vacation rental marketplace HomeAway in 2006. HomeAway was then acquired by travel giants Expedia in 2015 – uniting both existing brands under the Vrbo name. After nearly three decades of evolution, Vrbo has certainly earned its global heavyweight status.

Vrbo first connected with Avantio’s API in 2016, and upon seeing the value it offered to our clients, we worked to develop a full content API – one of the first software companies to do so. In 2020 we achieved Vrbo Preferred Partner status, which continues into 2022.

 

Vrbo Preferred Partner Requirements

Vrbo undertakes a thorough analysis of software partners, considering factors including connection quality, onboarding quality, property quality, and engagement quality. Avantio’s priority is to exceed these requirements so that our clients have a seamless experience when publishing their properties to the Vrbo channel.

 

 

What does Preferred Partner status mean for Avantio clients?

 

“We’re delighted to be awarded Preferred and Premier Partner status by the top three global OTAs. The Avantio team works hard year-round to deliver the highest quality tools to our clients, and we’re proud to receive official acknowledgments of this quality from Airbnb, Booking, and Vrbo. These awards represent Avantio’s commitment to helping vacation rental property managers to scale their businesses and stay ahead in the market.”

César Augusto – Avantio’s Head of Partnerships

As the leading global online travel agents, Airbnb, Booking, and Vrbo clearly have incredibly high software integration standards. Fortunately, Avantio does too. We’re determined that our clients have the best possible OTA channel connections to all of the 60+ channels we’re connected to, to help them grow their businesses.

Clients who use Avantio software have peace of mind that their properties’ features are fully presented, thanks to our bespoke two-way rest API connections. This secure and consistent connectivity gives properties maximum visibility and helps clients meet all of the requirements to appear in search results. This leads to better quality property listings and the opportunity to reach a wider audience.

 

Preferred and Premier Vacation Rental Management Software

Being awarded Preferred and Premier status from the top OTAs, based on numerous, varied, and strict criteria is a testament to Avantio’s commitment to delivering only the best performing tools to our clients. These seals of approval mean you don’t just have to take our word that we’re the best vacation rental software option on the market – we have the credentials to back it up.

Are you curious about what Avantio’s vacation rental management tools can do for your business? Book a free demo to find out. 

 

 

Sustainable Vacation Rentals