The holiday season is here, and with it comes an incredible opportunity to fill your calendar with bookings. Guests are planning last-minute getaways, family reunions, and even their 2025 trips, making now the perfect time to maximize the potential of your direct booking website. Below, we share three key strategies to help you attract more guests and boost your holiday occupancy.
1. Make Your Holiday Deals Shine
Guests are on the lookout for great deals this season, and your direct booking website is the perfect place to showcase them.
- Create Eye-Catching Offers: Feature limited-time discounts like 10% off Christmas stays or special rates for early 2025 bookings. Use banners or pop-ups on your website to grab attention immediately.
- Highlight Unique Features: Whether it’s a cozy fireplace, proximity to holiday markets, or festive décor, emphasize what makes your vacation rental stand out.
Additional Tip: Add a sense of urgency by including countdown timers or phrases like “Only a few spots left!” This approach can increase your direct booking conversions.
2. Promote Your Availability Everywhere
The holidays are a busy time, and travelers often book last-minute. Make it as easy as possible for potential guests to find your vacation rental and secure their stay.
- Leverage Email Marketing: Send targeted campaigns to your subscriber list highlighting open dates for Christmas and New Year’s. Include a clear call to action that directs recipients to your direct booking website.
- Utilize Social Media: Share photos of your decorated property and create posts promoting your holiday offers. Include links to your website to drive bookings.
- Optimize Your Website: Ensure your homepage clearly displays availability, seasonal offers, and a seamless booking flow. A mobile-friendly design is especially important as over 70% of travelers search for accommodations on their phones.
Remember, your direct booking website should act as the hub for all your marketing efforts. Direct all traffic back to your site to avoid third-party fees and offer guests a smoother experience.
3. Capture Guest Emails for Future Marketing
The holiday season isn’t just about this year’s bookings—it’s also about setting the stage for the future.
- Thanksgiving Guests: Encourage guests staying over Thanksgiving to join your email list. A QR code in the property linking to your direct booking website’s email opt-in page can make sign-ups effortless.
- Holiday Emails: Use the emails you collect to send personalized follow-ups, thanking guests for their stay and sharing deals for their next visit.
Building an email list is essential for growing your vacation rental direct booking business. This ensures you have a reliable way to reach guests directly without relying on third-party platforms.
✨ Bonus Tip: Ready to streamline guest communication? Check out our guide on Mastering Email Communication forYour Vacation Rental Business for email templates and strategies that convert.
Make the Most of Your Direct Booking Website
This holiday season is an opportunity to connect with guests, drive bookings, and showcase the value of booking direct. Whether you’re offering exclusive deals, promoting last-minute availability, or building your email list for future campaigns, these strategies will set your property apart.
If your website isn’t ready to support these efforts, consider CraftedStays 💜 – designed to help hosts optimize their direct booking websites with features like seamless navigation, mobile-friendly designs, and integrated marketing tools.
Book a demo to learn more about how CraftedStays can help you succeed this holiday season—and beyond.