As internal tourism, also known as staycationing, becomes more popular, a greater number of British homeowners are looking to capitalise on the opportunity to earn income from their home. This is done by welcoming this new wave of visitors into their homes, offering short and long term stays through Airbnb.
Overall, it is a relatively easy endeavour to begin. Promising you have a place for a guest to stay, ideally with a bed, you can begin. However, some hosts go as far to only offer their gardens for guests allowing them to set up their own tents! While not always ideal, if you’re in a particularly busy area, it can work.
For those looking to stand out from the ever-competitive Airbnb crowd, here are five handy tips to help.
A Real Welcome
Those that frequently use Airbnb rentals will know the difference a small welcome pack can make to a stay. It shows an extra level of consideration that helps a guest to feel welcome, whether a simple bar of chocolate or a guide to the local area. While offering these extras may be a small cost to the host, they will see a great return in supporting positive reviews.
Dedicated Space
Offering a room within your home can be just what a traveller needs. However, for some, a little more privacy is desirable. Since renting out your entire property isn’t always possible, many hosts look for other ways to accommodate visitors, such as with summer houses, which allow guests independence away from the host’s personal space.
Amenities
As a guest, it can be incredibly frustrating to arrive at a space and realise you don’t have basic amenities, such as shampoo and conditioner. The situation then prevents you from relaxing as you explore the area to find and procure such basic items. A host can prevent this stress and help a guest to feel taken care of by simply offering essential items as part of their Airbnb experience.
Local Guidance
As a host, you are likely to know much more about the area than any guest who is staying with you. As such, it can be incredibly helpful for you to put together a guide to the local area or, if you are willing to go the extra mile, even offer the use of your own local passes to places of interest.
Even those hosts who might not be as passionate about local history can still have useful tips to pass onto guests. Being able to recommend a great restaurant or giving advice about local traffic are simple ways to help improve a visitor’s experience and, by proxy, the enjoyment of their stay.
Photographs
For those browsing Airbnb to find their ideal stay, photos are the first impression. Your written listing can have the most entertaining and luxurious features, however, if it isn’t supported with complimentary photos, you are going to miss out on bookings.
Shoot and edit your photographs appropriately. Wide-angle lens photographs give a better impression of space and increasing the saturation digitally can make your home look more appealing – just look at any reputable estate agent’s website!
