Archive for March, 2009

Tripadvisor’s Calculator compares Prices of Hotels with Vacation Rentals

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

Edited Press Release

TripAdvisor today announced a new way for travelers to find vacation bargains on tripadvisor.com. The so called Vacation Rentals Calculator is designed to help travelers easily determine if they would save more money staying at a hotel or a vacation rental. Vacation rentals on TripAdvisor are powered by FlipKey, a leading online vacation rentals service, of which TripAdvisor owns the majority stake.

Travelers can quickly uncover the enormous potential savings vacation rentals might offer. With the click of a few buttons, TripAdvisor’s new Vacation Rentals Calculator analyzes a destination’s average lodging prices, number of guests, length of stay, and dining preferences, to determine if a hotel or rental offers the biggest bang for the vacation buck.

Vacation Rentals Calculator

Vacation Rentals Calculator

Orlando: Estimated Lodging and Dining Costs for Six Travelers Staying Seven Nights

Destination: Vacation Rental Hotel
Orlando

Lodging Costs $990 $2,180
Meals Costs $1,120 $1,680
Total Costs $2,110 $3,860

Negril, Jamaica: Estimated Lodging and Dining Costs for Two Travelers Staying Seven Nights

Destination: Vacation Rental Hotel
Negril, Jamaica

Lodging Costs $2,520 $880
Meals Costs $420 $630
Total Costs $2,940 $1,510

Myrtle Beach: Estimated Lodging and Dining Costs for Four Travelers Staying Seven Nights

Destination: Vacation Rental Hotel
Myrtle Beach

Lodging Costs $610 $960
Meals Costs $700 $1,050
Total Costs $1,310 $2,010

“More than 50 percent of travelers in a recent TripAdvisor survey said they will be staying at a rental property this year, and these accommodations can offer a great bargain alternative for cash-strapped travelers,” said Steve Kaufer, CEO of TripAdvisor. “Vacation rentals have sometimes been overlooked as there wasn’t significant information readily available from other travelers, but now with the integration of FlipKey’s listings and reviews, TripAdvisor will help travelers get the truth on rental properties before they go.”

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New VRMA look and Announcement of Annual Seminar Agenda

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

The website of the Vacation Rental Managers’ Association (VRMA) has a new look.  

New VRMA look

New VRMA look

 

Old VRMA look

Old VRMA look

 Furthermore, VRMA announced the agenda for its 18th Annual VRMA Eastern Seminar which is scheduled for Charlotte, North Carolina from March 31 - April 2.

Agenda:

·        Trust Accounting 101 / 201

·        Search Engine Optimization

·        How to Turn Guests Into Repeat Guests

·        The Greening of Vacation Rentals

·        10 Tips to Survive and Thrive in a Slow Economy

·        Owner Relationships in a Declining Economy

·        Front of the House / Back of the House operations discussions

·        Sales and Bookings in a Down Economy

·        Enlightened Analytics: Measure What Matters

·        Housekeeping and Maintenance

·        Public Relations 101

·        Financial Management and Budgeting for the Non-Accountant

The VRMA Western Seminar is scheduled in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30.

VRMA also announed that it launched a campaign together with Discover Vacation Homes to increase the awareness of vacation rental accommodation.

In support of the new public relations initiative, VRMA has engaged PR firm Ypartnership.

About VRMA:

The Vacation Rental Managers’ Association (VRMA) is a professional trade association for the vacation rental management industry.  VRMA began as the Association of Vacation Home Rental Managers in 1985. Its network currently consists of 600 property management and associate member companies in the United States, Canada, Mexico and theCaribbean, representing approximately 150,000 vacation rentals, condos and villas. 

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Press Run - Calendar Week 12

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

Not worth a post, but worth a click …

Tips for choosing a vacation rental - USA Today article giving tips for travellers

Get a great deal on a vacation rental - USA Today article directed at travellers

Everybody Into the Rental Pool - Introductory article in New York Times about vacation rentals by owner, owner experiences.

The top villa rental hotspots - Article in Country Life Magazine about the increasing willingness of holiday home owners to rent out their property.

Rental resources: Get started tracking down a home of your own - Article giving a thorough (yet incomplete) overview on vacation rental agents, property managers and websites.

Scammers Hawk Vacation Rental On Craigslist Article on an owner scam attempt through craigslist

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Wyndham Worldwide Announces Corporate Social Responsibility Program

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Edited Press Release

Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies announced the launch of its new philanthropic program, www.wishesbywyndham.com/

Wishes by Wyndham

Wishes by Wyndham

 

“Wyndham Worldwide hosts over 240 million guests every year in our hotels, vacation rental properties and timeshare resorts,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “One of our core values is to support our communities. Our associates, owners and franchisees are committed to enhancing the quality of life where we live and work.”

Wyndham Worldwide has adopted four signature charities that reflect the Company’s interests in women and children: Hole in the Wall Camps, Christel House International, Starlight Children’s Foundation and BEYOND THE MOON.

In addition to supporting the four charities, Wyndham Worldwide will continue to donate unused room nights, and professional and volunteer time to help raise awareness and contributions for local charities. Additionally, www.wyndhamrewards.com members can contribute their points in support of any of the four signature charities.

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VacationRoost Acquires Assets Of RDM/Moguls

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

“The Industry Report” reports that VacationRoost acquired  “certain assets” of Resort Destination Marketing (RDM) / Moguls (view Full Article). 

The acquired assets include RDM/Moguls‘ “experienced sales agents, strategic supplier relationships, and strong geographically-targeted Web sites”. 

 

Moguls Logo

Moguls Logo

 

The asset sale seems to have been motivated by financial pressure since The Industry Report further mentions that RDM/Moguls was “underwater”, stopped accepting new reservations and approached VacationRoost as the economic slump worsened already in January. 

VacationRoost CEO Julian Castelli told The Industry Report that their motive behind purchasing the assets was to avoid a disorganized failure of a large organization like RDM that could hurt the their industry.

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Interhome Reports Record Financial Results for 2007/2008

Monday, March 16th, 2009

Edited Press Release

Interhome, Europe’s largest holiday home rental company performed well in 2007/2008. Following a successful brand re launch, booking business grew by 5.7% to CHF 196.4 million. Turnover reached a record CHF 211.9 million (+1.4%).

Interhome Logo

Interhome Logo

The 2007/08 business year can be considered as a milestone year for the Switzerland-based Interhome Group. It re-launched Interhome brand and for the first time could welcome more than half a million guests (525,117) to its now 46,000 holiday home properties in 21 countries. Group turnover increased 1.4% to CHF 211.9 million, while booking business climbed 5.7% to CHF 196.4 million.

The largest increase in percentage terms was recorded by the source markets Russia (+59%), Germany (+14%), Poland (+13.7%) and France (+13.3%). Bookings from Swiss clientele also rose by 7.9%. Interhome registered a boom in winter bookings, with turnover up 14.1%. The top winter destination growth markets were Austria (+16.6%) and Switzerland (+13.5%).

Following its successful 2007/08 business year, Interhome is confident of continued growth. With effect from 1 January 2009, the group has been targeting the vast Indian source market. This is being achieved under a cooperation deal with the office in India of the Switzerland Travel Centre (STC), the holiday broker of Switzerland Tourism. Other new partnership agreements were concluded in 2008, ensuring access to two further source markets – the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Interhome CEO Simon Lehmann said: «We want to open our expanding portfolio of holiday homes and apartments to other interesting markets.»

About Interhome:

Switzerland-based Interhome is largest provider of holiday apartments and villas in Europe. It provides 46,000 properties in 21 countries. In 2008 it recorded annual sales of CHF 211.9m.

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