Last Minute Beach Vacations Soar by Amber Leto
Although most business owners approached the summer season with fear and trepidation, truly innovative marketing and savvy business owners are breathing a sigh of relief as the busy season comes to an end. Reports are similar along the Florida Gulf Coast, Disney Vacation area and North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Spanning the Beaches of South Walton and Destin, Florida – Sandcastle Escapes is owned and operated by two young professionals with almost two decades of experience in the vacation rental market. Taylor Williams and Justin Shelton have grown their Destin Vacation Rental company from a handful of properties into a burgeoning rental portfolio that includes hundreds of the Gulf Coast’s finest Vacation Rental Homes. Although both report that discounting was more prevalent than in years past, occupancy rates soared 18% higher than previous years as well as overall rental income paid to owners. With a declining home resale market, making sure struggling homeowners receive stable rental revenue is a growing focus and concern for professional property managers nationwide.
Also located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort finished the summer season with a double digit increase in average daily rate and occupancy by reaching new markets including New York, Houston, and Austin with social internet marketing to rent the Destin Condos on the resort. 30% of the 2009 reservations occurred within three weeks of arrival which is a true departure from the traditional behavior of vacation rental and condo travelers whom tend to book with plenty of notice in order to choose the condo that meets distinct specifications.
Imagine Vacation Rentals homes provides Orlando Vacation Rentals within close proximity to Disney and hosts more European vacations than the typical domestic travel provider. 2009 has yielded the highest occupancy rate since the inception of the company more than a dozen years prior and the rental rates held stable due to the increased demand. Over 18000 nights are already on the books for 2010 and the company is working diligently to gain audience with struggling Orlando Property Managers in order to increase their rental inventory with such guest demand.
The Atlantic coast of North Carolina is famous for the Outer Banks Vacation Rental experience. Atlantic Realty, owned and operated by Myra Ladd-Bone for over 25 years has experienced a similar anomaly this beach vacation season with an increased demand for rentals within a short booking window, yet resulting in higher revenue and occupancy rates for homeowners. Launching a brand new website, increasing internet marketing and focusing on the reservation sales process is the overall analysis of the ability to provide positive results in such a difficult economy.
Although located in very different regions, all four companies have experienced similar guest booking trends with positive results. Flexible marketing plans, innovative leaders and strategic planning are all foundational characteristic of successful companies regardless of eras, economic conditions or competition. Guest Experience Ratings did not decline for any of the companies even with the shorter planning times or more aggressive rate structures.
All companies mentioned above obtain Vacation Rental Marketing services from ExtremeVRMarketing and TravelStorm. Photography and Videography is provided by Destin Photographer, Joe Mayer.
About the Author
Amber Leto is a seasoned Vacation Rental Industry expert that manages a 300 acre resort in Destin, Florida as well as serving on the FVRMA Board of Directors, the VRMA Marketing Committee and various other entities that focus on Vacation Rentals, Search Engine Optimization, Website Development and Internet Marketing. Amber Leto is the owner of ExtremeVRMarketing.com and co-owner of TravelStorm, a Vacation Rental Website Development Company.
Island Photography captures Mike and Amy’s Outer Banks Wedding on the beach in Duck.
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