What is Vrbo? Full-home rental platform
What is Vrbo? Full-home rental platform Following our last weeks post on US travellers adding their property to Vrbo could be an interesting next step for short term rental owners: Ariane Gorin who is now new CEO of Expedia Group shared her vision for the future of Vrbo. The company recently did a major tech migration alongside Expedia and Hotels.com, which caused temporary disruptions. Now, Vrbo is focused on rebuilding, to drive stronger growth and enhance the customer experience. One of the key moves is expanding Vrbo’s inventory. The platform, known for full-home rentals with no on-site hosts, has started adding apartments from the Expedia platform. While keeping its core offering intact, this gives travellers more options and helps attract new customers. Vrbo is also improving its product by adding comparison shopping features and updating its group trip planning tools. Another important part of Vrbo’s growth strategy is its integration into Expedia’s One Key loyalty program. This allows customers to earn and redeem points across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. So far, this has been successful, with 30% of Vrbo bookings coming from new customers who earned points on Expedia. Moving forward, Vrbo is confident in its ability to grow by expanding its inventory, improving its platform, and leveraging its position within Expedia Group’s ecosystem. Gorin emphasized that the brand is strongly positioned for the future and committed to delivering a great experience for travellers. Have you ever used it as a traveller or as a property manager/owner?
Airbnb experiences: Rebooting process
Airbnb reboots experiences OTA NEWS: Airbnb Reboots Experiences After a year-and-a-half pause, Airbnb is relaunching its Experiences platform, aiming to make offerings more affordable and unique to its brand. They’ve removed subpar listings and reopened applications for hosts. As a passion project of CEO Brian Chesky, Airbnb acknowledges the need to refine the product further. What is their focus in the upcoming years and the idea behind rebooting experiences? Experiences that are: – Exclusive to Airbnb.– Affordable and accessible.– Presented through videos, not photos.– Easily discoverable on the platform. Airbnb has already removed around 5,000 experiences that didn’t meet their standards and is focused on unique, interactive, and authentic local experiences. The goal: To make trips more personal and memorable for guests while differentiating Airbnb from other platforms.
Focusing more on US Travel market – YES or NO?
Focusing more on US Travel market – YES or NO? Should we focus even more on the US Travel Market? The simple answer is YES! When choosing a holiday destination, the first thought that comes to mind might be pristine beaches, a luxury lodge in the mountains, or that dream spot on your bucket list. However, for Americans, the second thought is whether they can afford it. According to booking.com’s Travel Trends survey, for 53% of U.S. leisure travellers, “good value for money” is the top factor influencing their destination choice. Following closely, 48% prioritize tasty local cuisine, while 46% are drawn to beautiful natural scenery. Safety is important for 43% and 37% look for great beaches. By September 7th this year, Dubrovnik recorded 1,033,775 guest arrivals — a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. Overnight stays also rose by 10%, reaching a total of 3,320,236.This trend is particularly relevant for Dubrovnik as U.S. visitors are the most numerous right after the guests coming from the UK. With the US travel market growing as a key source of tourists, understanding these preferences is crucial for attracting more visitors. How can hotels and short-term vacation rentals use this information to attract more US guests? – Highlight value: Emphasize experiences that deliver great value for money. – Leverage digital marketing: Promote unique, tailored offerings via social media and online campaigns targeting US travellers. – Cater to preferences: Showcase local cuisine, natural beauty, and one-of-a-kind experiences in Dubrovnik. – Enhance visibility: Ensure your property is discoverable across key US travel platforms and enhance visibility in the US travel market.
Latest Trends in Digital Tourism in 2024
Latest Trends in Digital Tourism The tourism industry, one of the largest and most dynamic sectors globally, has seen dramatic shifts in recent years, particularly in its digital landscape. As travelers increasingly rely on online platforms for inspiration, booking, and sharing their experiences, the industry has had to adapt rapidly to meet changing demands. In this article, we’ll explore some of the latest trends in digital tourism that are shaping the future of travel. 1. Personalization and AI-driven Customer Experiences One of the most significant trends in digital tourism is the rise of personalization. Today’s travelers expect highly customized experiences that cater to their unique preferences, and this is where artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role. AI is transforming how travel companies interact with their customers by offering tailored recommendations based on previous searches, behavior, and even real-time data such as weather conditions or local events. For example, AI-powered chatbots are now common on travel websites, providing real-time assistance to customers, answering their queries, and even handling bookings. AI algorithms can also recommend hotels, activities, and destinations that align with a user’s personal preferences, creating a more seamless and enjoyable travel planning process. Moreover, AI helps companies offer dynamic pricing strategies that adjust to demand in real-time, offering the best deals to customers while maximizing revenue for businesses. 2. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are no longer just buzzwords in tech—they have firmly entered the tourism industry. These technologies offer immersive experiences that allow potential travelers to explore destinations before they book. VR can transport users to a destination virtually, giving them a 360-degree view of the location, while AR can enhance a tourist’s on-site experience by overlaying digital information onto physical surroundings. For instance, hotels and tour operators are using VR to offer virtual tours of their properties and destinations, allowing travelers to make informed decisions without physically visiting the site. AR, on the other hand, has been used in museums and historical sites, where travelers can point their smartphones at an object or location and receive detailed information, enriching their cultural experience. 3. Sustainable Travel and Eco-conscious Tourism Sustainability has become a major priority in tourism as both travelers and companies recognize the importance of minimizing environmental impact. The digital aspect of this trend lies in how technology is helping the tourism industry promote and facilitate eco-friendly travel options. Travel companies are increasingly using digital platforms to highlight their commitment to sustainability. Websites and apps now allow travelers to filter accommodation options by their environmental credentials, including energy use, waste management, and community support. Some platforms even enable travelers to calculate the carbon footprint of their trips and offer ways to offset it by supporting environmental projects. Additionally, digital marketing campaigns are focusing more on responsible tourism, encouraging travelers to make sustainable choices such as using public transportation, staying in eco-friendly accommodations, and supporting local businesses. 4. Mobile-first Travel Solutions The rise of mobile usage has led to the development of mobile-first solutions in tourism. Travelers are increasingly using their smartphones to research, book, and manage their trips, and companies are responding by optimizing their digital services for mobile users. Mobile apps now play a crucial role in the travel experience. Apps like Google Maps, Airbnb, and TripAdvisor have become essential tools for travelers to find their way, book accommodations, and discover local attractions. Travel companies are also enhancing their mobile booking platforms to make the process faster, more convenient, and secure. Mobile payments are another key aspect of this trend, with digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay becoming popular methods for travelers to pay for services on the go. This not only streamlines transactions but also offers a more secure way for tourists to manage their finances while traveling. 5. Influencer Marketing and User-generated Content Social media continues to play a massive role in travel marketing, but the emphasis has shifted toward influencer marketing and user-generated content. Travelers trust recommendations from peers and influencers more than traditional advertising, and this has prompted travel companies to collaborate with social media influencers to promote their destinations and services. Influencers often provide authentic, relatable content that resonates with their followers, making them effective ambassadors for travel brands. At the same time, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are filled with user-generated content where everyday travelers share their experiences. Travel companies are leveraging this content to enhance their marketing efforts, encouraging satisfied customers to share photos, videos, and reviews that act as organic endorsements. This trend has also led to the rise of micro-influencers—social media users with smaller but highly engaged followings—who are often more cost-effective and relatable than larger influencers. 6. Voice Search and Smart Assistants As voice technology improves, more travelers are using voice search and smart assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri to research travel options. This trend has been driven by the convenience of hands-free searching and the increasing accuracy of voice recognition technology. Voice search is changing the way travelers interact with travel websites, forcing companies to optimize their content for voice queries. Simple, direct questions such as “Where’s the best beach in Croatia?” or “Find a 4-star hotel in Dubrovnik” are becoming more common, and travel businesses must adapt their SEO strategies accordingly to stay competitive. 7. Blockchain for Travel Transactions Blockchain technology is starting to make waves in the tourism industry by offering more secure, transparent, and efficient ways to handle transactions. From payments to loyalty programs, blockchain can streamline processes and reduce the risks associated with fraud and data breaches. For example, blockchain can enable secure peer-to-peer transactions, cutting out intermediaries like banks or travel agencies. This is particularly appealing for international travel, where currency conversion and transaction fees can add unnecessary costs. Conclusion The digital landscape of tourism is evolving rapidly, with new technologies and trends continually reshaping how we travel. From AI-driven personalization to eco-conscious travel, the latest digital trends are making travel more