The fall and winter travel seasons are upon us. And although we cannot say for sure when COVID-19 will be a distant memory, there are promising signs that the travel industry is beginning to normalize. Throughout the summer, booking trends and guest travel patterns began to point to an optimistic future.
In fact, for the first time since March of this year, travelers are booking again in major US cities. Increased bookings in these metropolitan areas – originally avoided by many – are now back on the map for a multitude of reasons including the pent up demand for travel, desire for a change of scenery, the reopening of restaurants and activities and reduced daily rates in these once pricey destinations.
For property management companies with rentals in urban locations, now is the time to highlight your area’s attractions – whether that be a famous 5-star restaurant with outdoor dining or a newly reopened museum – in order to attract those travelers looking for a long weekend getaway or a close-to-home staycation.
Check out these tips to keep in mind when marketing your city rentals to urban travelers this fall and winter:
Highlight The Outdoor Dining Options Near You
With indoor dining still prohibited in many US cities, outdoor dining is flourishing. Major metropolitan areas like Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago have already rolled out outdoor dining programs, featuring socially-distanced tables, no-cash payments and increased sanitization between diners.
Outdoor dining has transformed city streets, many of which have come alive for the first time since spring, with fenced-in dining areas, decorated tables, newly planted flower boxes and even heaters and inflatable “table bubbles” as the winter chill sets in.
Any property management company with rentals in metropolitan areas should update listings to showcase the dining options close by, especially famous hot-spots that every tourist – even a domestic one – won’t want to miss on their trip (especially those offering discounted prix-fixe menus to incentivize diners to book a table). You can also partner with local restaurants and eateries to offer special discounts to your guests as a perk to book with you over competitors. Make sure to highlight these options soon if you are in a city that will experience cooler weather soon, as outdoor dining options will not be relevant in many states come November.
Showcase Outdoor Concerts, Museums or Local Events
Another major draw for anyone coming to stay in a major city right now is the reopening of cultural institutions and live events. Some cities, San Francisco included, have recently begun reopening indoor museums and art galleries, allowing a limited number of visitors per day, using a timed ticketing system that can carefully regulate occupancy. Highlighting that your property is only a ten-minute walk away from museums or galleries will draw those travelers looking for a cultured weekend getaway.
In addition, a quick google search will reveal if there are any upcoming outdoor concerts or live performances in your neighborhood that your guests won’t want to miss.
For more wary guests, you can also take the opportunity to work with businesses near your properties and incorporate their services to upsell including at-home ceramic kits created by a local crafts store, live-streaming museum tours, virtual concerts and more.
Autumn Themed Activities Are A Must
Fall is the season of pumpkin-spiced lattes, cider doughnuts and corn mazes – and for anyone who has been stuck at home for the past six months, socially conscious autumn-inspired activities are a big seller.
Provide your guests with all the information they need to go apple and pumpkin picking one day and horseback riding the next. For hosts within major metropolitan cities, that may mean helping organize day trips for visitors 1-2 hours outside the city, providing transportation and making reservations in advance.
Preparing For The Return of Travel
As travel slowly begins to resume, property management companies must keep their guests’ needs top of mind. Those booking stays in major US cities right now are most likely hoping to enjoy outdoor dining, visit cultural institutions or attend a concert for the first time in months.
In these times of uncertainty, ensuring that your guests have all the information they need ahead of time will help decrease their stress of planning an upcoming trip, and increase your chances for more bookings.
For more useful tips on how to attract urban travelers and prepare your rentals for fall and winter travel, check out our Coronavirus Infocenter.
