From Our CEO: Tips for Vacation Rental Owners on the Coronavirus Pandemic

Hello,

Like all of us, we here at ConciergeBot are adjusting our plans and expectations in light of the coronavirus pandemic. As an owner of a vacation rental condo in Palm Springs, which served as my inspiration to build ConciergeBot, I’ve been personally dealing with the impact of coronavirus on the booking calendar for my condo. I wanted to share a few of my own recent learnings with the vacation rental homeowner community. 

Be proactive with your guests

Your upcoming guests, like us, are adapting to a constantly changing landscape regarding the pandemic. Reach out to them to let them know that you are monitoring the situation in the area. Inform them of which venues are open or closed to aid in their decision making. Offer your sympathy and understanding if they wish to cancel (and invite them to rebook your home at a later time). 

Keep tabs on the situation in your rental area

If you don’t physically reside in the same locale as your vacation rental home, it’s easy to overlook the situation “on the ground” in the area of your rental. Follow the local newspapers online. Check the websites of popular restaurants and attractions for closures. Reach out to your neighbors and friends who live in the area and ask for their assessment of the situation. 

Check in on your support staff

As a vacation rental homeowner, cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic are currently impacting your near-term rental income. This will also impact the people who support and maintain your rental - the concierges, cleaners and property managers who make our business possible. Assure them that you are monitoring the situation and will do whatever you can to enable them to continue with their work.

Keep your calendars up to date

Many travelers are re-booking plans due to postponement of popular events to the fall. Make sure that your calendars are up to date with the proper availability and rates for your rental. Unblock dates from cancellations made on one booking channel on your other channels. 

Sincerely,

James Silva

CEO, ConciergeBot