Direct Bookings vs. Airbnb/VRBO: Change My Mind

[Neal Z.]

I've been contemplating the potential benefits of focusing on direct bookings for my vacation rental properties, as opposed to relying primarily on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Historically, 95% of my business has come through Airbnb, where I've found their process for handling guest issues and damage claims to be quite effective. I’m reaching out to those who have experience with direct bookings to help me understand the true value of this approach.

My Perspective:

• -While direct bookings could save on platform fees, my concern is whether this saving is offset by the potential challenges in managing damages and guest issues without the support structure provided by Airbnb or VRBO.

I'm Looking For Insights On:

• -Your experience with the volume of direct bookings versus platform bookings.
• -Strategies you’ve employed to mitigate issues that arise from direct bookings, especially in terms of damage claims and guest management.
• -Whether the financial benefits of avoiding platform fees outweigh the potential hassles and risks involved in direct bookings.
• -Any systems or processes you’ve developed to streamline direct bookings and maintain profitability.

I'm open to having my mind changed! If you've found success with direct bookings and have navigated these challenges effectively, I’d love to hear your story. Your insights could be incredibly valuable in helping me to evaluate the potential shift towards more direct bookings.

Please share your experiences, insights, and any advice you have on this topic.