“Nearly 50% of vacation rentals go unrented any given year. We as an industry can do better,” points out Mike Mears, former Head of Partnerships at Inhabit, which is the parent company to Streamline Vacation Rental Software. Committed to improving the experience of property managers, Streamline actively seeks strategic collaborations to support its clients’ success. Recognizing the ongoing challenge of last-minute bookings and filling vacancies throughout the year, the company sought a partner that could help increase occupancy. Their answer? Teaming up with Whimstay to attract a fast-growing audience searching for the best deals on last-minute vacation rentals.
The Challenge: Tackling Lower Occupancy Rates, ADR, LOS and Average Booking Values
Streamline clients and others across the industry have been grappling with lower occupancy rates, lower ADRs, shorter LOS, and lower average booking values. Streamline’s mission was to find a new partner. One that offered their PMC customers a unique value proposition of booking nights that may have otherwise gone unrented.
Whimstay has developed the ability to generate incremental bookings for property managers, they’re adding inventory, they’ve significantly improved guest experience, and bookings growth is accelerating, their unique positioning to capture last-minute stays makes them a great value-add to our entire portfolio.
– Mike Mears, former Head of Partnerships at Inhabit
The Solution: A Swift Integration with Whimstay
Whimstay swiftly integrated with Streamline, offering a dedicated channel for property managers to list their last-minute inventory without hassle. By enabling Whimstay via their Streamline portal, managers could conveniently control their last-minute discount strategies, adjust lead times, set minimum stay requirements, and manage blackout dates. Furthermore, Whimstay provided unencrypted customer information upon each booking, allowing property managers to connect directly with each new customer and ensure a seamless and satisfactory stay.
The Impact: Rising Occupancy and Incremental Revenue
Streamline property managers recognized the advantage of diversifying their distribution channels by adding Whimstay as a listing partner. The partnership has yielded two key results: A tangible increase in occupancy rates, especially during gap nights and off-peak seasons. And access to a new, highly-desirable customer segment actively looking for last-minute booking deals.
Final Thoughts: A Testament to the Power of Collaboration
“Whimstay has developed the ability to generate incremental bookings for property managers. They’re adding inventory, they’ve significantly improved guest experience, and bookings growth is accelerating,” asserts Mike Mears. “Their unique positioning to capture last-minute stays makes them a great value-add to our entire portfolio.” Indeed, the alliance between Streamline and Whimstay has validated the potential for technology and strategic partnerships to solve some of the vacation rental industry’s most pressing challenges.
Takeaway for Industry Peers
For those facing similar challenges, the Streamline and Whimstay partnership serves as a compelling example. It underscores the efficacy of adopting a multi-channel strategy and leveraging partnerships to tap into new customer segments. Thus driving incremental revenue and supporting overall growth and sustainability.
Most Popular
Pawfect Getaways: Discover America’s Top Pet-Friendly Cities
Whimstay Featured on USA Today’s 10Best: 7 websites specializing in amazing vacation rentals
Unleash Your Wild Side: Explore These Underrated Spring Break Destinations
Affordable Astro-Tourism: Best Spots for the 2024 Eclipse on a Budget
2024’s Best Budget-Friendly U.S. Destinations
Your Perfect Vacation Rental Destination, According to Your Zodiac Sign
6 Romantic Last Minute Stays Under $150 in Top Destinations
Spend Valentine’s Day in One of These Five Romantic Places
Eat, See, Do: Branson, Missouri
Labor Day Landscapes: Last-Minute National Park Adventures