The worm is turning on direct bookings

Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions
10moFollow

The worm is turning on direct bookings

Collin HaysBusiness Member
Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes

It seems that the ever-increasing Airbnb and VRBO fees are finally moving the needle, causing guests to shop for direct bookings.  

I have 6X the direct bookings in November this year that I had last November. 

Serves them right.

[email protected]806-672-7102
SMOKY MOUNTAIN FALLS INC.51 Review
WebsiteView Page
6Reply
269 views

Most Popular Reply

Justin Miller
Interior Decorator · Nationwide · Member since 2017 · 44 posts · 35 votes
10mo

We've noticed more traffic from ChatGPT and Gemini. I believe AI chatbots will keep gaining popularity, leading to more direct bookings.

2Reply
See this reply in the discussion

8 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    10mo

    How are they finding you?

    0Reply
    • Collin HaysBusiness Member
      OP
      Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @John Underwood:

      How are they finding you?


       We aren't paying for Google Ads, so I am assuming organically through key words.

      [email protected]806-672-7102
      SMOKY MOUNTAIN FALLS INC.51 Review
      WebsiteView Page
      1Reply
    • Trent Reeve
      Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 712 posts · 642 votes
      10mo
      Quote from @John Underwood:

      How are they finding you?


       Ive seen people with unique property management names put them in the TV screens in pictures. since its a picture on picture, the AI scanning that finds words tends to miss it. 

      1Reply
  • Justin Miller
    Interior Decorator · Nationwide · Member since 2017 · 44 posts · 35 votes
    10mo

    We've noticed more traffic from ChatGPT and Gemini. I believe AI chatbots will keep gaining popularity, leading to more direct bookings.

    2Reply
  • Trent Reeve
    Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 712 posts · 642 votes
    10mo
    Quote from @Collin Hays:

    It seems that the ever-increasing Airbnb and VRBO fees are finally moving the needle, causing guests to shop for direct bookings.  

    I have 6X the direct bookings in November this year that I had last November. 

    Serves them right.

    i think guests are getting smarter...but only in some ways. I get 2-3 messages a week, asking on the Airbnb or VRBO platforms if i do direct booking or if i am listed anywhere else.
    0Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10mo

    Expect more enforcement from OTA's making sure you are not directing people there.  I have already been flagged by VRBO once.

    [email protected]813-563-0877
    Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
    • Collin HaysBusiness Member
      OP
      Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

      Expect more enforcement from OTA's making sure you are not directing people there.  I have already been flagged by VRBO once.


       It’s a broken business model when you have to have a grstapo crew to exact punishment on people when they aren’t using you.  🤣

      [email protected]806-672-7102
      SMOKY MOUNTAIN FALLS INC.51 Review
      WebsiteView Page
      1Reply
  • JD MartinBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    10mo

    It can't come soon enough in my opinion. I've been pretty vocal about my disgust with all 3 of the big platforms. It's really just a matter of time before their greed drives enough traffic and hosts to another avenue, so I'm encouraged to hear others say they see an uptick in direct bookings. 

    Podcast Guest on Show #243
    Skyline Properties
    View Page
    1Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free