Vacation rental software: why it's time to get one and what you need to have in order to be the most appropriate

We do not yet know for sure how post-Covid tourism will develop, but we do know that it will continue to be defined by safety distances and limits in interpersonal contact. This is why holiday rentals are improving their positioning against the hotel business for the summer campaign. We are fleeing from overcrowding, from common spaces that concentrate a good number of tourists; a security that currently only houses or apartments can transmit to the traveler.

In fact, there are already statistics that show how the search for holiday rentals has intensified. Although hotels are still the preferred type of accommodation for Internet users, their interest has fallen by 15% compared to last year in terms of Google searches.

With this growth in bookings, having management software is more necessary than ever. Not only because it allows us to control everything from a single panel and avoid overbooking, but also because, in recent days, direct bookings are being recovered much faster (50%) than those from OTAs (25%). The post-Covid traveller, guided by his doubts and looking for a trustworthy treatment, prefers channels where he can establish a close, faster interaction, which right now is only possible through the booking engine.

There are other reasons why it is necessary, however, as the possibility of having a virtual TPA (gateway payment) with which to make any payment and thus avoid contact, or to offer discount vouchers to build customer loyalty and ensure reservations, issues that only a good management software can provide.

In any case, the main problem arises when it comes to choosing which one to keep among all the available options. In order to identify which one is the most appropriate for our business we must be able to recognize our current and future needs, but above all make sure that it offers us a list of options which, from AvaiBook, we have resumed in ten:

Its specialization in vacation rentals is a must. The list of management software is endless, but many are created by and for the hotel industry. In order to receive answers and functionalities adapted to ours, we must make sure that the solution we are considering is designed for our sector.

XML/API connection with the main portals. The two-way XML connections are essential to guarantee that the information is updated and correct, both in the extranet of our accommodation and in the channel we have connected.

Booking Engine, with easy integration in our website, social media, and connected to the Channel Manager, wich means that must be linked to the single calendar in which all the bookings from the other platforms are received. At this moment it is also important that it allows us to incorporate in some way the cleaning and hygienization protocols that we are applying in our accommodation. In AvaiBook, we launched the so-called "Anti-Covid Kit" to meet this demand.

Integrated banking gateway, which allows us to operate with any type of reserve, manual or programmed, and different sales channels. It will avoid us the need to hire our own virtual TPA (Gateway payment), which is currently so necessary, as we mentioned before. This will also result in greater security guaranteed by the legal regulations to which the system is subject. In AvaiBook we always act in a PCI Compliance environment, 100% safe and reliable.

Integrated PMS (Property Management Systems) and bookings management system, such as automatic sending of travellers' reports, e-mails or management tools for check-in, cleaning and other tasks. This will make it easier for us to manage our business from a single panel, automate processes and save time and costs.

Possibility of synchronizing other solutions, such as electronic locks or home automation, already a prominent tool in the new post-Covid normality. It will allow us to create a small automation and interconnection ecosystem that will simplify our work and add value to the traveler's experience.

Simple and intuitive system, adapted to any device. It is important that we appreciate visually attractive solutions, but we must not forget that these must be above all affordable and easy to navigate.

Free consultancy service, with a previous demonstration that shows us the platform and that is focused on the needs of our business. It is also important to have a telephone service to respond to any unforeseen event.

All in one solution with all the functionalities included. Good solutions are not always the most economical, but one positive side is that they offer all products for the same flat price, rather than charging separately.

Finally, let's appreciate that quality has a price and that excessively low costs should be a concern. The most important thing, of course, is that it allows us to enjoy our work. If we feel that the solution we have chosen complicates our work methodology and generates more stress than before, perhaps it is time to consider a change.

AvaiBook is now integrated with KeyNest. Due our synchronization, you will save a lot of time: your AvaiBook reservations will be automatically sent to KeyNest, automating the process of assigning and collecting keys for each traveler and reservation.