Keep them coming Back: How to Get Return Bookings

by Paul
July 2006

Property Owners

Keep them coming back & how to get return bookings!

Presentation of your Rental Property

Always ensure you keep track of the cleaning of your rental property and that all gas and electric services are available and working. The visitors’ first impression will stay with them and, as long as it is clean and tidy, and has a ‘fresh’ feel about it, they will be pleased and ready to relax and enjoy their holiday right from the start. Make contact with them shortly after their arrival to check that everything is satisfactory. Clearly display in your property, any relevant information or instructions that you wish them to know about or that you require them to comply with. Encourage them to make known to you or your local ‘contact’ about anything that is not to their satisfaction, so that you are able to influence any changes that may be necessary.

SMS Text Alerts are Free

To benefit from the SMS feature, just go to Owners Login at any time and from the Owners Secure Admin Area you will see where to select the SMS Texts which are currently FREE to all registered property owners. SMS Text Alerts to your mobile phone are an easy way to be contacted when you are away from your PC or landline phone. An enquirer will ask brief details about your property availability dates and give their contact name and number for you to respond to. Holidaymakers will appreciate your swift response rather than having to wait until you return to collect your e-mails and their enquiry. 

Guest Reviews are good for you

Invite or encourage your guests to provide feedback about their holiday and rental experience at your property. Explain to them how easy this is, just by returning to your property details page on our website, and then selecting the Reviews tab at the top of the page. A good selection of reviews is always encouraging for new ‘website’ visitors and can often mean the difference between an enquiry only and secured booking. Remember that Guest Reviews will not be seen on the Homepage until you have first approved them.

Use the Booking Management Tool

Take control as soon as you receive and enquiry/booking. Start using our unique BMT or Booking Tool, for each ‘confirmed’ holiday rental enquiry. This is a safe and secure way to record and store all the necessary information appropriate for each rental and is simple to update. This feature will allow you input the rental person’s Contact, Flight Departure and Arrival dates & Times or other Travel details. You can record the Deposit, Final Payment and any damage Deposit Refund information too. Just go to Owners Login at any time and from the Owners Secure Admin Area you will see where to select the ‘Bookings’ Tool. (Try a practice run with dummy information, and press the ‘Update’ buttons as usual. Then, when you are confident with using it, just click the ‘Delete’ button to clear the practice information.)

Rental Property & Tourist Information

Provide as much current information as you can about your rental property and the surrounding areas, and also make it known to visitors where this can be found or if it is supplied prior to their booking. Leave good guides and tips about recommended restaurants, beaches, attractions, excursions and places to visit off the beaten track.

Local maps, bus timetables and car rental details are especially needed for first time  

Visitors and ant hints on local driving routes with parking information for travelling to neighbouring areas. At the end of their holiday, return any ‘Refundable Deposits’ as soon as is possible. Your guests will appreciate your attention to detail and may pass this on to their friends or family