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| This Orlando vacation rental not only has a private pool, it's also on a golf course. |
By Matt Smolsky
American companies are planning to spend more money on fewer trips, which could mean longer stays in one location. The Global Business Travel Association reports that companies are expected to spend $266.7 billion on business travel in 2013, but reduce the number of trips by a little over 1%.
American companies are planning to spend more money on fewer trips, which could mean longer stays in one location. The Global Business Travel Association reports that companies are expected to spend $266.7 billion on business travel in 2013, but reduce the number of trips by a little over 1%.
This
may be pointing to companies looking for more productivity from the money spent
on business trips -- more sales meetings, client presentations and prospecting.
Since it's shaping up to be a $266 billion dollar market this year, vacation rental owners and property managers would be wise to position their properties
for the business traveler.
Selling
Points for Your Property
A
vacation rental has advantages over a hotel, especially if a group from the
same company is traveling together. They promote collaboration--impromptu
meetings over breakfast, late night recaps of the day’s events, etc. And for
companies watching their travel budgets, preparing meals in the kitchen of a
vacation rental will save a significant amount.
If
a company plans on entertaining clients, vacation rentals can offer even more
advantages over hotels, both in terms of cost and amenities. This is
particularly suitable for vendor companies at trade shows. Just be sure that
all amenities -- pools, saunas, steam rooms, game rooms, etc., are in good
working order. You might want to work with a local party planner or designate
one of your team members as point person on party planning to assist your
business guests.
While
some might argue that hotels offer unbeatable advantages such as onsite
business centers and concierge service, neither of those should be enough to
stop you from saving money with vacation rentals. After all, there are plenty
of copy and printing shops to be found in nearly any size city, and finding the
fun things to do and great places to eat in a city is as easy as doing a few
Internet searches and make a few phone calls. Be sure to provide travel guides
about your area to your business guests upon their arrival. Time is money to a
business traveler, and anything you do to assist them will help ensure a repeat
booking.
How
to Source the Business Market
People
planning business travel will likely find your rental the same way they find
other lodging--online. Be sure your listings are up-to-date, and add as many
photos as possible. You might point out in the photo descriptions how a living
room can be used for group meetings, and highlight an area that can be used as
an office.
The
more descriptive text you use, the more unique your property will look. Be sure
to vary your text from website to website--this can potentially be your biggest
advantage over your competition since so many property managers and owners
simply cut and paste their copy from website to website. Make all your
descriptions unique, and you'll stand an excellent chance of coming up first in
search results. You might consider including a paragraph aimed directly at the
business traveler. This way, you can write your property descriptions as you
would normally, highlighting the features you think are important, but then
turning around and showing business travelers how thos features can benefit
them.
Business
travel is a big market, and in this economy, everyone wants to save. You can
book more weeks by tapping into the multi-billion dollar business market.
