#BookDirect

02/2019 Book direct movement – This February vacation rental owners and managers from around the world are coming together to promote one key message: #BookDirect. 

Did you know that holiday home owners are paying high commissions -in the region of 20% – but also you as a guest end up paying more for the same stay. So apart from the obvious reason such as save up to 20% on your holiday accommodation what are the advantages of booking direct and leaving out the popular big sites such as Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO and TripAdvisor? 

– Book direct for direct communication with the owner or manager
Only when booking directly are guests guaranteed direct contact with the person responsible for the property. This means they can get in touch – without obligation – to inquire about services and amenities before committing.

– The best price isn’t on the OTA’s
Contrary to popular belief, OTAs and aggregator sites (such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia etc.) don’t actually provide the best price for travelers. Guests can save hundreds on commissions by booking direct and booking local.  

– May of the best vacation rentals are not listed on the major sites
Due to the high costs associated with using big sites, some of the best homes with the highest demand aren’t even listed. Take popular beach resorts in North Carolina as an example – only 30% of homes available for rent can be found on these websites. Guests shouldn’t limit their search to OTAs and aggregators, or they could be missing out on the best properties.
 
– Managers ad owners have in-dept knowledge of their destination
When booking direct, managers and owners can become a kind of free destination guide. They know the best activities, restaurants and service providers. They may even have local partnerships or discount deals which can save travelers more money. 

– If guests have special requirements managers and owners can help
Whether the family needs an accessible vacation rental or a pet-friendly option, a manager or owner will work with the guest directly to meet all their needs before they commit to a booking.

– Owners and managers have more special offers during non-peak times
When travelers communicate directly with the owner or manager, they will be the first to find out about special offers, discounts or exclusive deals. 

This is all nice and convincing but you might ask the question: how could I trust any site or any owners direct advertisment, the Internet is bursting with stories people paying in advance and not finding a villa when reaching their destination. The answer is that you have to do your researh, that might be a bit more time consuming than clicking on that button at Booking dot com. One way is to get in touch with previous guests on social media pages of the area, asking if anybody stayed in the accommodation you like and what was their experience like. Make sure you ask from fellow travellers that wrote a blog or ask anybody that has already visited the place.

We at Paros Holiday Rentals represent private owners and we manage their properties and gardens all year round. We have a very personal relationship with our owners and many of them become family friends throughout the years. In the exact same way treat our guests, trying to accommodate all the requests so they experience the true spirit of this beautiful island!