Algarve Holiday Home Study

Hi All,

I am doing a study on the impact of the financial crisis on private holiday rentals (ie, self-catering, privately owned units) and would like some feedback.

If you are a holiday home rental owner and have a moment, I would much appreciate if you could take my survey.

It is short, will only take a couple of minutes of your time. If you would like to know my findings, please email me.

Please follow this link: Algarve Holiday Home Survey

Many thanks

Perfecting your environment

Hi

This is an interesting video about perfecting the holiday environment and something everyone can consider, whether it be in your own home to increase your own comfort but more importantly, in your holiday home for your rental guests.

http://www.holidayhomerentalsite.com/2011/05/19/perfecting-the-holiday-environment/



Video posted on Tots to Travel Owners website.

Are you using social media? If not, you should be, see this for why.

Do you use social media, eg facebook, twitter etc, WHO DOESNT?  See this video, for why you should, especially for business, it is the way forward.  Amazing

http://youtu.be/omSKo1OW6CU

If you need help, just ask.

What is niche marketing and how can it help you?

What is niche marketing and how can it help you?

Niche marketing means developing and marketing your product or service at a specific sector of the market, thereby satisfying your target markets specific customer needs.  Marketing by companies generally falls into two categories, mass marketing or niche marketing.  Mass marketing is normally used for a general everyday product and the sources of marketing are mass media such as, TV, billboards and newspapers.  With niche marketing the marketing sources are much more targetted at their specific customer base using methods such as, social media, emailing and traditional mail-outs to their client base.  Niche marketing is particularly used by smaller businesses who understand they cannot compete with the big brands or multi-nationals, but can on a smaller, specific market base.

How can niche marketing help you?

Well depending on your product and size of your company and resources, such as marketing budget, niche marketing may be a much more effective way to reach your customers.  But you need to know how to do and especially, what your customers want. 

Do you know what is your target market specifics?
Do you understand your customers needs and wants and buying behaviours?

The problem for many holiday rental home owners is that they do not understand the need for effective marketing or have the skills to do it.  They use mass marketing, such as holiday listing websites and find themselves lost amongst 1000's of other homes all the same as theirs, unable to make themselves stand out and therefore sell and improve their rentals.  Having a marketing mix and niche marketing is the way forward.  It doesnt need to take too much time, but a little effort and some information could go a long way.

If I can help you in this way, please contact me and I will be happy to help.

Trends in the holiday markets

In this post from the Tots to Travel website, the TUI boss talks about recession and how holidaymak​ers are behaving this season.  Useful information for holiday home owners.

http://www.holidayhomerentalsite.com/2011/05/10/riding-out-the-recession/

Are you ready?

So now we are into May and the summer peak season is just around the corner.  Are you ready? 

Is your property all prepared for your guests, any replacements or maintenance work done?

More importantly have you sold the weeks you need, is your property getting the interest it deserves.  In these tough times, market positioning is so much more important.  In the past, you could almost sell a holiday rental in the algarve with minimal effort. Not so easy these days, with fewer customers looking for a lot of value.  So what do you do?

There are several things you can do

1. Assess your marketing, are you targeting the right customers?
2. Is your property appealing to the customers you want?
3. Are you offering value and quality against your competition?

Be aware, lowering your prices, will not necessarily bring more customers!

If you need any further advice, please contact me and I can help.

What makes a family friendly hotel

Have a look at this article.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.all-vacation-travel.com/what-makes-a-hotel-family-friendly/&ct=ga&cad=CAcQARgAIAEoBDAAOABA3qSL7gRIAVgAYgVlbi1QVA&cd=KwHlueUe0Dk&usg=AFQjCNGTZ2CllwX9zbSGsiwgnUPhv-Bagg