1. Identify off-season periods

The shoulder season is the period between the peak and off-peak seasons. It's when demand is moderate, prices are reasonable, and the weather is generally pleasant. On the other hand, the low season, also known as the off-peak season, is when demand is at its lowest, often due to less desirable weather or timing.

To figure out these periods for your holiday rental, analyse your past booking data and market trends. Look for patterns in your previous bookings: when did guests typically book your property, and when were there fewer guests? Additionally, keep an eye on broader market trends. When do people generally visit your area, and are there specific events or factors that influence tourism?

Keep in mind that while the shoulder season has lower demand than the peak season, it presents a good opportunity to attract different guests looking to book their next stay after the peak season rush. The low season, despite having the lowest demand, can still be profitable if you adjust your marketing strategy and pricing. Always remember that flexibility during these periods equals more bookings.

2. Revamp your vacation rental listing

Keep your Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo listings seasonally fresh and appealing. Here are some effective ways to revamp your listings and make them stand out on top search results:

Update your listing photos

With the seasonality changing is a good opportunity to take new photos and showcase key features that guests would be looking for during shoulder and low season. Also you could reorder the photos of your listings and change the cover photo to match with the seasonality. 

Highlight your festive features

If you're decorating your rental for Christmas to attract a particular type of guest, ensure your potential guests know about this special feature in your listing description and listing title. It can be a big draw for groups and families looking for a cosy, festive holiday without the hassle of decorating. If you're also offering local food for guests to cook, make sure to let them know. This can make their stay even more convenient and enjoyable.

Listing title, description, and amenities

Highlight the unique features that make your property stand out, and be open to adjusting them based on guest feedback and new guest suggestions. During less busy periods, prioritise facilities that will genuinely please your guests depending on your holiday home's location. Offer entertainment options like indoor games for enjoyable family nights, provide access to popular TV streaming services, offer special packages, hot tub access and add keywords to your listing description and title to help your listings stand out.

Keep your calendar updated

It's essential to maintain an up-to-date calendar even during the off-season when you might not receive as many bookings compared to the peak season. Checking your calendar is vital, and you should also ensure it's synced with any external listings. If you're a Travelnest customer, your Travelnest calendar can sync with the marketing channels you've chosen in your account. This way, your availability automatically stays current across all your Travelnest channels. 

3. Adjust off-season prices

To adjust off-season prices for your vacation rental, start by defining your low season - the period when demand is typically lower. During this time, consider lowering your prices to appeal to potential guests who are budget-conscious or seeking a deal. This can be done by evaluating your past booking data, market trends, and competitor pricing. To draw in guests who only want to stay for a few nights, you could also reduce the minimum number of nights they need to book. But if your property is already popular, you don't have to cut prices for weekends. Just keep in mind that very high prices could put people off from even considering your place.

Don't forget that you don't have to set your property's prices all by yourself. Start by looking at what your competitors are charging. Check out other holiday rentals on different websites to see their prices. You can also use pricing software like PriceLabs, Airdna and Wheelhouse to help you set your prices automatically. 

If you're a Travelnest customer, you can activate Travelnest’s Smart Pricing to help you secure the best rates for your property without incurring any additional fees.

4. Reduce your minimum nights

Don't just concentrate on adjusting your rates; also think about reducing the minimum night stays during shoulder and low seasons. For example, if your vacation rental typically requires a seven-night minimum stay, consider modifying it to allow for two-night or even one-night stays. Depending on the location of your property, it might be more beneficial to lower your rates. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment in London could receive more bookings if it allows a minimum of one or two nights. By insisting on a minimum of seven nights, you could lose a significant number of bookings. Find out how hosts decide to set their nightly minimums throughout the course of the year. Changing your booking rules can help you get more bookings.

5. Offer promotions and discounts

Offering promotions and discounts on travel sites like Airbnb and Booking.com can be strategically used to increase bookings during shoulder and low season. Here are some options of promotions and discounts you could apply if you’re a Travelnest customer.

Airbnb new listing promotion

Guaranteed to get new listings booked 30% faster than usual, the Airbnb New Listing promotion is the perfect way for hosts to secure first bookings and build up reviews.  Airbnb hosts can offer a 20% discount for the first three guests. To be eligible, the listing must have no prior bookings and your listing must be new on Airbnb.

Booking.com mobile rates promotion

Hosts can potentially Increase their bookings by up to 22% from mobile traffic if they apply this promotion on Booking.com. This promotion becomes even more attractive as it can be used in conjunction with other Booking.com programs like the Genius Programme. It can also be combined with other promotions such as the Last Minute during the shoulder or low season. Upon activation of this promotion, your listing will display a special badge to enhance its visibility. This makes it easier for mobile users to locate your listing while searching for accommodations.

Offer discounts for 7 or 28 nights

If you're a Travelnest customer, you can give discounts for 7 or 28 nights on all their travel sites. You can stop these discounts whenever you want. Offering these discounts during certain low-season weeks could potentially increase your bookings