Airbnb has been a popular online platform for listing and booking vacation rental properties since its inception in 2008. The site has over three million listings in 191 countries, and it's estimated that over 150 million people have used Airbnb to book a place to stay. However, recent times have seen many people seeking alternatives to Airbnb to both rent and rent out properties. Rising costs have put many travelers off, while rising fees are driving property owners away. Still, Airbnb is the most popular platform to book rental properties, and we don't see that changing!
So what makes Airbnb so popular? There are a few key reasons:
Airbnb is easy to use. The platform is simple and straightforward, making it easy for travelers to find and book a rental property.
Airbnb offers a wide variety of rental properties. Whether you're looking for a place to stay for a night or a month, you're sure to find what you're looking for on Airbnb.
Airbnb is a cost-effective way to travel. With Airbnb, you can often find cheaper rental properties than traditional hotels.
Now that we've discussed some of the reasons why Airbnb is so popular let's take a look at its biggest competitors - VRBO and Flipkey.
VRBO
VRBO is a popular alternative to Airbnb. VRBO stands for Vacation Rental By Owner, and it was founded in 1995. VRBO offers a wide variety of rental properties, from apartments and condos to houses and villas. Travelers can search for rental properties by location, date, and price. And like Airbnb, VRBO allows travelers to contact property owners directly to ask questions or make special requests.
VRBO is easy to use and offers a wide variety of rental properties. The site has over two million listings in 190 countries and it's estimated that over 50 million people have used VRBO to book a rental property. However, one of the drawbacks of using VRBO is that you often have to pay a booking fee. This fee can range from six to twelve percent of the total cost of your rental, making VRBO more expensive than Airbnb.
When listing on VRBO, there are a few things to consider, as their policies differ from Airbnb's. For one, VRBO only allows standalone houses; no shared spaces can be listed. This may be an issue for owners looking to rent out an individual room in their homes. This may be the most significant difference between the two platforms. Nerdwallet says another drawback is their confusing cancellation policies which affect both the renter and the owner.
Flipkey
Flipkey is another popular alternative to Airbnb. Flipkey is a vacation rental platform that was founded in 2007 and acquired by Tripadvisor in 2016. Flipkey offers travelers more than 300,000 vacation rental properties in over 11,000 cities worldwide. Travelers can search for rental properties by location, date, and price. And like Airbnb, Flipkey offers travelers the opportunity to contact property owners directly to ask questions or make special requests.
Flipkey is easy to use and offers a wide variety of rental properties. The site has over three hundred thousand listings in more than two hundred countries, and it's estimated that over ten million people have used Flipkey to book a rental property. When staying at a Flipkey property, keep in mind that they have a booking fee that ranges from 3 to 5 percent of your property stay. This can turn off some travelers looking to book your property.
When listing on Flipkey, there are a few things to consider, as their policies differ from Airbnb's. For starters, they do not allow whole-home listings in most cases. This may be an issue for owners looking to rent their homes. Another thing to consider is that Flipkey requires a minimum rental period of three nights. This may be an issue for travelers who only want to stay for a night or two.
Other Alternatives
Booking
Booking is another popular platform for vacation rentals for both renters and owners. They're mostly known for their airline and hotel booking features, but they also allow rentals by owners on their site. And like Airbnb and Flipkey, Booking offers travelers the opportunity to contact property owners directly to ask questions or make special requests. They offer a wide variety of rental properties in locations all around the world.
One of the advantages of using Booking is that they offer a best price guarantee. This means that if you find a lower price for the same rental property on another site, they will match it. Another advantage of using Booking is that they don't charge any booking fees. This makes Booking a more affordable option than both Airbnb and Flipkey.
When listing on Booking, there are a few things to consider, as their policies differ from Airbnb and Flipkey. For one, Booking requires a minimum rental period of three nights. This may be an issue for travelers who are only looking to stay for a night or two, putting you as the owner in a challenging position and reducing the chances of your property being booked. Another thing to consider is that they have a strict cancellation policy. This means that if you cancel your reservation, you will not be refunded any of the money you've already paid.
HipCamp
HipCamp is a newer vacation rental platform that was founded in 2013. HipCamp's focus is on listing properties that are located near campgrounds and other outdoor recreation areas. HipCamp is an excellent option for travelers looking to rent a property near hiking trails, national parks, or beaches.
One of the advantages of using HipCamp is that they offer a wide variety of rental properties. Another advantage is that they don't charge any booking fees. This makes HipCamp a more affordable option than both Airbnb and Flipkey.
What makes listing on HipCamp worth it is that particular travelers will find your property. If you want to make the most of your rustic or off-the-beaten-path property, you may find the perfect short-term renters on their platform.
Contact the professionals today at Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing for help with your vacation rental property.
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