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In a previous blog post, I talked about 5 ways to market your vacation rental to a local audience. Because this can be such an important way to increase your bookings, especially during a period of inflation, I wanted to expand a bit on one of the tips I shared in that post.
So today, let’s talk about how to build strategic local partnerships to promote your vacation rental.
What Makes Your Guests Book Your Vacation Rental?
As a vacation rental owner, your primary goal is to find guests who want to book your rental property. You already know your guests expect comfort, safety, privacy, cleanliness, and fully functioning amenities as advertised. All of those are essential to ensuring your guests have a great stay (and will leave you a 5-star review.)
But, there’s one other thing that makes guests want to book with you. Without it, none of the other stuff really matters. What is it?
YOUR AREA.
- Why do they want to come to stay in your area?
- What are they going to do there?
- What cool local businesses can they support during their stay?
- Where will they eat when they aren’t cooking in your vacation rental?
- What will their kids do for fun?
- What will they do for fun?
- How are the views?
- What’s the weather like this time of year?
As part of your social media strategy, you should be covering the answers to all of these questions as time goes on. You aren’t only selling a stay in your vacation rental, you are selling your AREA.
THAT is what makes it so important to build strategic local partnerships to promote your vacation rental.
So, what does that mean, exactly?
Strategic Local Partnerships Can Help You Attract and Secure Vacation Rental Guests
As a tourism-based business owner, you only benefit when visitors come to your area. All of the other businesses in your destination area want the SAME thing. Restaurants, shops, service providers, attractions … everyone benefits from tourists coming into your area.
This is why it’s important to be in communication with your local Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership, Visitors Bureau, Tourism Board, etc. Some opportunities are free, others are paid … and I guarantee they are likely worth doing, most of the time.
But, think beyond those organizations. Which individual local businesses can you support, and who can support you in return? Everyone has their own social media audience and email list, and there is SO MUCH power in shared audiences. Think Instagram collaborations, social media shoutouts and tags, social media giveaways, coupon offers, and more.
A few examples of local businesses that are great to partner with:
- Your local seafood market, farmers market, or grocery store
- Local wineries, coffee roasteries, bakeries, and other specialty food and drink shops
- Gift shops and clothing boutiques – bonus if they carry locally made items
- Service providers your guests may need during their vacation, like beauty salons, massages, mechanics, and equipment rentals
- Attractions like amusement parks, nature parks, miniature golf, pottery painting, watersports, guided hikes, and scenic tours
How you will promote your area together depends on where you are located and what you think will work best for your audience. There’s really no wrong answer – anything you can do with others to promote your area is more exposure for your vacation rental than if you do nothing.
I’d Love To Hear About Your Strategic Local Partnerships!
Get on out there and give this a try. I’d love to hear about what partnerships you make that help you market your vacation rental!
