As we drift into the low season rental managers and homeowners need to become even more creative and competitive to ensure a steady stream of bookings throughout the winter months. Take a look at your competition. What are your competitors offering as incentive and how do your prices compare?

Update your listing to focus on more seasonal benefits and amenities that have more value to guests in the winter months. Features like hot tubs, heated pools and fireplaces are very attractive in colder months. There may also be off-season activities that can be promoted in your destination.

Once the summer holidays are over, refocus on marketing your vacation home to couples or groups. Added benefits such as big screen TV's, Satellite and DVD players will appeal to couples looking for a cosy romantic getaway. Off-season is also a great time to appeal to enthusiasts. Nature lovers will be drawn to the proximity of your rental to a natural park; whilst golfer's ideal time to play is after the mid summer heat has subsided.

By adding a few detailed amenities, you can target specialised bookings that will guarantee your rental is fully booked throughout the winter months. You can capitalize on the specialist theme by packaging your vacation rental with some form of teaching or adventure program. Find a locally cookery school that offers weekly lessons or a bicycle hire company that offers off road and mountain bike trailers that you can team up your holiday rental with. Welcome baskets can be designed to compliment the theme.
If you are in or near a business community or larger city go Corporate! Today many organizations are bringing in talent from just about everywhere for short and longer term contracts. These guests are in your area to work with a smaller emphasis on play and unlike summer guests generally make your property a "second home". You could see a very steady income from September through end of May or June with this type of clientele.

Much of the executive/corporate clientele have their rents paid for by the company hiring them or have a per diem expense account with which to offset this cost. Most homeowners have found monthly rental rates very much inline with the market and they don't have to worry about revenue for months to come, enjoy lower maintainence costs as well as low stocking fees.
Some owners have never gone back to holiday guests unless there is a summer gap in between the corporate.

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