Short-term Rental News Digest – February 2021

While February is the shortest month of the year, it does not mean that there are not a lot of newsworthy stories to share. Also, hosts might have fewer nights available for booking in February, but there is one very special weekend on the calendar to make up for it – Valentine’s Day. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday this year, we trust that many travelers took advantage and planned romantic getaways.  

Seeing that it is the month of love, in this month’s digest, we share a few trends that we hope you will love. From domestic travel to destinations in demand, we summarized what the experts are predicting for 2021. 

Experts Share Their Vacation Industry Trends for 2021

The team at iGMS has asked experts to share their views on what the vacation rental industry’s future has in store for hosts. According to the data gathered, domestic travel will stay strong in 2021. Rural and coastal destinations, in particular, will enjoy a lot of popularity. 

Though, to be able to capitalize on these trends, hosts need to ensure that they offer enhanced cleaning procedures. Flexible cancellation policies will also help to secure bookings. To access the full report, hosts can download it for free here.   

Airbnb Report Reveals Pandemic Is Kind to New Hosts

New hosts with only listing have already generated more than $1 billion since the COVID-19 pandemic began according to data shared by Airbnb. A recent consumer poll also revealed that the need to travel is strong as travelers crave to leave the confines of their homes. So, now is also an ideal time to start hosting on Airbnb.

One advantage of Airbnb listings is that they are better suited to accommodate groups than hotels. This year promises to open many doors for Airbnb hosts as more travelers are searching for opportunities to (re)connect with loved ones.

Airbnb Introduces Health Safety Attestation

Airbnb has introduced a Health Safety Attestation program. It is a voluntary tool that hosts can use to request that guests declare that they are free of common symptoms linked with COVID-19 and were not knowingly exposed to the virus recently. 

This program was created as per the guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). While the initial phase will focus on exposure and symptoms, other components could be added later. The Health Safety Attestation is currently not compulsory. It will only be compulsory for certain locations where the government requires such information from accommodation providers. 

Guests Come Clean About Not Cleaning Up

Florida Panhandle, the most authoritative source for vacation rentals in the Florida Panhandle, surveyed 3,000 US travelers about proper vacation rental etiquette. One of the key takeaways of this survey was that over a third of their participants believe that they did not have to clean up after themselves upon checkout. This included chores like taking out the trash, washing dishes, and making sure the furniture is in the right place. 

A third of the participants also admitted that ignoring house rules was one of the top pet peeves for hosts. Other top pet peeves included inviting extra guests (including pets) and having a house party. Surprisingly, the participants did not believe that checking out late was such a big deal for hosts. 

STR Regulations Strengthened in France

Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, believes that residential accommodation is too expensive for many Parisians. Two years ago, Paris sued Airbnb for publishing illegal rental adverts. This reportedly cost Airbnb millions of euros. 

Now another new measure was introduced. Airbnb hosts in France will from now on need to display their formal registration number on their listings. Failure to do so could mean that all their reservations for the foreseeable future will be blocked. With present regulations, hosts in Paris may rent out their property on short-term rental platforms for 120 days per calendar year. 

Cabin Fever Gets a New Positive Meaning

According to Vrbo’s 2021 Trend Report, the demand for cabins has increased year-on-year by almost 25%. This increased interest in cabin accommodation is most likely fuelled by the pandemic. More families are in the current climate choosing to unwind in rural areas where they have access to the great outdoors.

Melanie Fish, Vrbo’s travel expert, commented, “There’s so much to love about cabins, especially now. In addition to providing a sense of comfort and charm, cabins are built for quality family time playing board games, warming up by the fire, and enjoying nature.” 

Vacasa Identifies Top Places to Buy Winter Vacation Homes

Vacasa, a vacation rental property management company, has shared its 2020/21 report for the Best Places to Buy a Winter Vacation Home. According to Shaun Greer, the VP of sales and marketing at Vacasa, second home sales increased by more than 40% last year.

He added that buyers were searching for a second property that offered space to spread out and enjoy outdoor activities. The state of Colorado is the most popular with four destinations that made the Top 10 list. Big Sky in Montana is listed as the best place to purchase a vacation home.