How Has COVID Affected The Luxury Vacation Rental Market?

Since the pandemic situation of COVID -19 which has commenced globally at the end of 2019 and affected more than 140 countries around the world, safety and health issues have been the priority for hospitality sectors. This virus known as Coronavirus detected for the first time in Wuhan China and has affected one of the most important industries by revenue in the world, Tourism, and hospitality.

Tourism and hospitality as the third biggest industry in the world have been drastically affected by the impact of this pandemic due to the regulations of many countries regarding traveling.

Another reason that hospitality has gone through a very hard time and is suffering immensely is the fear of spreading the virus through contact and communications.

Traveling and communication are key to our modern life

The vast impact of this global issue is far-reaching, but what is obvious is traveling, and communication cannot be stopped or delayed any more since this is a part of life and human beings are always willing to travel and discover new destinations. Even the crave and desire for having pleasure is somewhat considered a great deal of potential, hence people have been prisoned in their homes, isolating, and social distancing. The new regulations and new curfew has brought a new method for traveling with safety and social distancing measures.

The increasing delay in the free movement of people and travelers hurts small businesses in the hospitality and travel industry. It is well aware that the global COVID 19 pandemic will not be going away completely anytime soon. New ways of traveling and renting homes have to be found so that people and their families can travel and enjoy leisure in the utmost safety which in turn boosts the local tourism industry.

An opportunity for Vacation rentals

This might be an opportunity for vacation rentals to shine as privacy is something that is an essential part of rental homes and in this climate of extreme hygiene and exclusive interactions vacation rentals might have a solution that will allow people to have a comparatively safer vacation with their family and friends.

Many owners, Vacation rental agencies, and property managers are trying to get the most advantage from this situation by promoting their business (private vacation rental) online to inform travelers whether they are solo travelers, group, or seniors on immediate plans about how to manage the situation. An effective channel of communication online has been established between the customer and a service provider which is a positive change and all stakeholders will be able to reap the benefits even after the pandemic is over.

During this period, even though the businesses rely on hospitality which is considered a seasonal industry, has gone through very tough situations. But the segment of Vacation rentals can still function with privacy and social distancing measures. Probably this is a good time, an appropriate time to keep going and maintain your consistent communication with customers.

Modern consumer is sensitive to health and health hygene

In the course of this period, being in customers’ shoes is one of the most important, vital things each company, agency, or even private owners must do is interacting in a way better understandable to communicate with their audience.

Travellers are getting more sensible during this time, so there has to be a different approach with the communication of services and logistics. It is important to communicate the safety and social distancing measures to generate trust for the customer will help to boost the travel and hospitality industry. This can be implemented through a wise marketing strategy whether it is through verbal communication, visual, or written communication is a tactful policy that boosts your CSR.

All the range of travellers that includes customers in the luxury segment wants to know the safety, hygiene, and social distancing measures. A proper communication channel for such important information will generate trust and ease in the minds of the customer and it's a crucial step in getting the businesses on their feet again.

Changing interactions between customers and service providers.

COVID-19 has invoked a certain sense of transparency of information between the customer and the service provider which will have long term benefits in the growth of the business and industry as a whole.

Here is a checklist of things that have to be done of kept in mind when traveling with COVID. The lists suggest recommendations for the service providers especially in the Luxury vacation rental space to attract customers and allow them to have a safe and carefree holiday/leisure time.

1. Review the respective health and insurance policy.

Travellers are considered to be more aware of their role in this spreading situation. But when it comes to staying in a private vacation rental, the role of the owner or property manager is highlighted. Companies need to make travellers sure if they follow all the policies to keep the people safe. So, make sure to review your insurance provider to have everything in it.

2. Keep your team more positive and motivated

While we are coping with this situation, the leaders and managers must be positive and maintain a positive atmosphere among the team members. Now it is very crucial to mark a positive memory and experience

3. Operational Recommendations

Companies must be in charge of the protection of their employees against the virus. It can be done by placing boards including some Hygienic recommendations such as

• Disinfect your hands
• Keep social distance
• Do not touch your face

Or providing disinfection liquid, wet wipes, sanitizer, and so on.

4) Effective interaction

There should be a clear indication as so how to behave within the premises and what are the rules of interaction. Also, a step by step guide to making the reservation, when arriving, while staying and when leaving must be indicated. It is more important than before to bring the health issues forefront.

5) Adjust a new protocol

Setting a standard and comprehensive hygiene process which is adapted based on the latest official announcement by the government and constant monitoring to implement is so important.

The property owners or estate managers must assure the guests to have a lovely and safe experience, this includes the inside and outside of the property. The staff is also advised to follow the sanitation rules strictly to make the stay for their clients comfortable and safe.

The estates which are separated, independent with private entrance without shared entrance or any contact will be easier to manage.

The premises should be equipped with protection kits, including hand-sanitizers, antibacterial tissues, and wet wipes.

6. Effective cleaning before and after the stay.

The owners must provide professional cleaning and eco -friendly disinfection. A daily cleaning must be applied within the property with a great focus on frequently used spaces, such as surfaces, door handle, remote controls. The outside area, lounge areas, sunbeds, wellness centers such as Jacuzzi, sauna, and outdoor pool ar exclusive and sanitize quite often. It is important to follow such cleaning protocols especially between the gap of two different guests to ensure customers with a happy, relaxing, and recharging experience.

7. A more Flexible Policy 

Many vacation rental agencies, property managers, or even private owners have made some changes in their booking policies. In times like these many agencies have stepped up to make the cancellations without an extra fee and postponing the trip to a next suitable date when travel restrictions are lifted. These kinds of policies will help the customers as well as the rental agencies to develop mutual trust in difficult times like these.

So what happens once the travel restrictions are lifted?

COVID and lockdown imposed thereafter as taken a lot of mental toll on people's lives. A lot of us are afraid as well as in need of an escape. The experience of a changing landscape does reset the mood for anyone. Maybe a chance to run away from the routine life during the lockdown, relax and discover an exceptional homestay experience is the only solution to refresh

If you feel like to explore long sandy seasides, miles of green bushes up the hills, calm the mind on the top of the mountain where you can touch the sky, a stay in a private vacation rental is the safest option.

One of the benefits of renting a vacation rental is having an exclusively guaranteed with no communal area. This matters more especially when you travel with family and kids or seniors, hence they are more sensitive and delicate.

Having a private pool, wellness facilities, sauna, and Jacuzzi will bring a relaxing moment with the peace of mind.

Having a great chance to cook your food comes very important when we are with kids and their wellness is the most important thing.

Private vacation rental properties have better well-rounded control over the cleanliness. A limited number of cleaners and staff make monitoring easy and quick to have their health assurance

Supervisors and managers can more often supervise and apply the most effective cleaning updates.

Above all, an exclusive private vacation rental can prepare all-inclusive well-made experience, anything among grocery shopping, private cooking, and private service are all available in a private vacation rental.

Vacation rentals are already a preferred choice in terms of travel and stay during this pandemic. More so after travel restriction will be removed. It would be a great choice to spend time with your family and loved ones. There will be a huge bounce back and when that happens vacation rentals will be the best choice for customers.