General Recommendations and Info for Property Managers During COVID-19 Crisis

This first quarter has hit all the tourism sector and the Vacation Rental Property Managers very hard with Coronavirus (COVID-19), but right what is most important is to try to keep calm and focus on how to overcome the next couple of months. 

At Avantio, we would like to support our community during this complex phase with information that will help you and guide you. 

Links With Information About COVID-19

We would like to provide you with more information about the virus from worldwide organizations that give you advice, it is important to have as much information as possible from true sources: 

• World Health Organization
• European Commission
• European Center for Disease Prevention and Control

Advice on How to Reduce the Impact 

Be Transparent. Communication is Key.

Have in mind that all your stakeholders (Guests, Owners, and Employees) will be seeking information from you. 

Keep them up to date with all the safety measures you are taking and any business actions that you are planning.

Be More Flexible. Adapt Your Terms and Conditions. 

Also, a lot of companies in the tourism ecosystem are enabling more flexible policies so that they do not lose their bookings and decrease the impact. 

Be more flexible with the date change policy and minimum stay. This might reduce the number of cancellations. 

How are OTA´s Responding to Coronavirus?

We recommend checking the actions that global OTA´s you are connected to are taking. Below you will find the links to Booking.com, HomeAway, Airbnb and Expedia 

Booking.com 

• Information and Waiver Policies

HomeAway 

• Information and Waiver Policies

Airbnb

• General COVID-19 updates and FAQs
• General tips for hosting on how to minimize the impact
• Flexible Reservations 

Expedia

Information and Waiver Policies

How Are Airlines Responding to COVID-19? 

Below you will  also find helpful information from FORBES on how airlines are responding to the situation: 

Airline Policies

Be Creative & Ready: Take Actions That Lower the Impact

Find creative actions to decrease the impact. Here are some ideas that might help you out: 

1. Have a look at your cross-selling options.
2. Try to find niche and new target markets. 
3. Focus on your domestic travelers and even your local ones.   
4. Optimize your prices but without mortgaging your future with excessive discounts. 

More Useful Links

CNN Coronavirus Travel Advice 

Official Government Websites

• Spain
• UK
• France
• Germany
• Portugal 
• Italy
• United States

Hope you have found this information useful. At Avantio we are here to support you by providing useful information that can help you and guide you.