What are Direct Bookings?

To have a successful vacation rental business, it is essential to focus on direct bookings. This means relying less on third-party booking websites such as Airbnb, Booking.com, or Vrbo. By doing so, property owners can increase their revenue, pay less commission, and attract more traffic to their property page through social media channels.

With Travelnest's Direct Booking solution, owners can have their own personal Direct Booking website URL. These can be easily accessed, managed, and shared through the Travelnest account. It's a hassle-free way to have all your listings, including your own website, in one place on the Travelnest platform. 

Turn browsers into bookers with direct reservations

At first, it can be difficult to convince guests to book directly with property owners instead of using websites like Airbnb or Booking.com. However, owners can entice guests to book directly by offering exclusive discounts and unique experiences like cooking classes, tours, and workshops. This can lead to more direct bookings and increased customer loyalty.

Boost your direct bookings with Direct Discounts

By offering discounts, guests can save money while also feeling a sense of urgency to book their desired holiday home. Research has shown that consumers perceive a higher level of saving when a higher price discount is offered. With the Direct Discounts feature, customers can set custom discounts, either as a fixed amount or a percentage, providing a unique way to motivate guests to book directly and have more control over their bookings.

Two ways to start sharing your Direct Discounts

If you are a Travelnest customer, you can share your Direct Discounts in two ways: 

1. Copy the code and send it to your guests to add during checkout. 

2. Generate a unique link for each discount using the 'Copy shareable link' option.

We highly recommend sharing these discounts on a few platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. To learn more, you can check our helpful guide here. 

Offer discounts without sharing links

Your guests can use their discount code without having to click the provided link. They simply need to click 'Reserve' and a section will appear where they can enter the code. It's easy to change the code from the link or to use a code without the link. The process is user-friendly, saving your guests the hassle of searching for a specific link. This also streamlines the booking process, making it quicker and more convenient for guests.

Four ideas of exclusive discounts you can offer to increase your direct bookings

• Early Bird Discount: Reward guests who plan ahead by offering a special discount for bookings made well before their stay.

  
  

• Last-Minute Deal: Fill any remaining dates by offering a discounted rate for last-minute bookings, attracting spontaneous travellers looking for a great deal at the last minute.

  
  

• Extended Stay Discount: Appeal to travellers looking for longer stays by offering a discounted rate for extended bookings.

  
  

• Repeat Guest Discount: Show appreciation to loyal guests by offering a discount on their next booking, encouraging repeat booking and building loyalty.

  
  

To boost direct bookings and reduce dependence on online travel agencies, providing discounts to both new and returning guests can be a smart move. By offering discounts, you can secure bookings in advance and keep your calendar full. However, it's crucial to maintain an active social media presence to effectively promote your direct discounts. This approach not only motivates guests to book directly with you but also enables you to have better control over your bookings and increase your property's occupancy.