In January 2011, the travel services website, TripAdvisor, published the results of its second annual vacation rental survey. As the world’s largest travel site, TripAdvisor helps customers gather travel information in interactive forums. Their survey results showed a significant shift for travelers; For example, those who used to frequent hotels now choose to rent a vacation home. Let’s take a closer look.

According to the survey, 40% of travelers plan to stay in a vacation rental home in 2011, up 7% from 2010. 51% of vacation rental home seekers want a private beach. Living the luxurious and exclusive life of a private beach villa is definitely the trend among vacationers. More and more people are looking for a private home away from home instead of the hotel road trip of yesteryear. The emphasis is on family time in a luxurious location rather than hours of travel.

When purchasing a summer rental home, travelers want plenty of space and plenty of amenities. Families are looking for ways to stretch their dollars even further, so a vacation rental with a full kitchen and laundry facility goes a long way toward attracting travelers. It is also important to have the latest electronic connections. Offer Internet access, satellite TV, etc. Ample square footage both inside and out is also important for family activities. Everyone needs their own space at some point, so a vacation rental with reading nooks and play areas will definitely turn heads.

No one buys anything secretly anymore, and if they do, it is with an absolute guarantee. No one is going to book a vacation rental without seeing lots of high-quality photos. After all, these people are looking for a temporary home. It has to be fair. According to the TripAdvisor survey, 42% of those who participated said that the photos of the rental were the most influential thing in their decision to book. Only 13% said price.

Technology is a key part of everyone’s daily life now. Most people are well acquainted with computers, and even more research and purchase travel online. In fact, the aforementioned survey showed that 70% found their vacation rentals online. With those kinds of statistics, it’s imperative for a beach vacation rental company to have an online presence, but it’s just as important to be on travel sites as it is on your own private site. The more exposure there is, the better. However, in saying that, there were still 25% of respondents who found their rental through word of mouth. More specifically, they read online travel forums like TripAdvisor.

Vacations and trips are synonymous with hotels and planes. It has been that way for decades. On the other hand, we have all known someone who goes to the lake every summer and rents a cabin. Combining the two on an exotic beach vacation and cabin rental is still a thriving concept in North America. TripAdvisor’s survey showed that 22% of vacationers in 2010 did not rent a vacation home because they had never thought about it. Then there are the 36% who said the only time they had ever used a vacation rental was for a life event, like a wedding or reunion. The most obvious misconception seems to be cost. Since we always hear about celebrities renting out their beach villa, it’s easy to assume that all of them have an exclusive price. Also, with all the marketing of all-inclusive resorts, it can be hard for many people to realize that there are equally good deals on the beach vacation rental market.

Once a tourist finds a rental they like, they come back. TripAdvisor’s survey showed that 29% of travelers use the same villa every year and book up to six months in advance, just to make sure they get the dates they want. Unlike the hotel and resort industry where a traveler will never know which room they will be assigned, those who use the same vacation rentals repeatedly always know what to expect. There is no guessing game regarding amenities, cleanliness, or rental policies. Everything is light and comfortable, adding to the whole relaxing experience that a vacation should be.

If you own a vacation rental home, there is definitely a market you can tap into. That 22% of the traveler crowd who haven’t considered a vacation rental as an option or financially feasible are just waiting for you to convince them how easy it is. If you are someone looking for a unique, family-oriented vacation idea, consider beach rentals. It doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think, and it’s a great alternative to the pomposity of the resort environment. Explore the options of a home away from home!

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