Marketing Your European Vacation Rental to International Tourists

When you own a vacation rental in Europe, the bulk of your business should come from international travellers. While you might expect a small percentage of guests from nearby communities, you’ll operate a far more successful short-term rental business by focusing on attracting travellers from abroad. 

With that in mind, the following tips will help you provide your rental business with an effective boost:

Translate Your Language to Reach a Broader Audience

Whether you’re designing printed promotional materials or online ads, knowing how to market European vacation rental accommodations involves addressing the language barrier. Consider that your ads might appeal to people in China, Germany, France, or another region where English isn’t a primary language. 

One step you might take is to hire multilingual staff members. Additionally, you may want to consider adding an app to your online site that translates its written text into the native language of its visitors. Equipping your site with such an option will help you provide clear information about your rentals that any potential guest can understand.

Provide Extra Amenities to Entice Vacationers

When it comes to staying in a vacation rental in most North American regions, guests expect a certain level of quality. Travellers in Canada and the U.S., in particular, expect certain amenities, such as hair dryers, coffee makers, and other small appliances, to be basic features of any rental.

These same features aren’t as common in international rental properties. But by including a few of them in your rentals, you will effectively make your offerings stand out to travellers who are looking for high-quality accommodations abroad.

Promote Area Attractions That Welcome Your Guests

As you start marketing to international travellers, consider the possibility that these potential guests likely won’t be aware of attractions and businesses that seem commonplace to you. If your goal is to attract guests from all walks of life, ensure that your website features attractions that will appeal to a broad range of people and that it can educate its visitors about the history and culture in your area.

Providing plenty of casual dining and entertainment venues will attract families. Appeal to couples and honeymooners by featuring pictures and information about romantic spots in the area. Outdoor enthusiasts will look for information about public parks, hiking trails, and sports events. Altogether, you want to show visitors to your site what it is that makes your region unique.

Use Photos to Highlight Rental Features

When you search for something like “how to market my rental to international travellers” online, most of the tips you’ll discover will emphasise the use of visual media. That’s because pictures and videos are more captivating than text and enhance the online experience. If you’re not comfortable with filming videos or live streaming, posting a few images of your rentals will still get the job done.

Regardless of the medium you choose, your visual content must show visitors what they can expect during their stay. Show off safety features, such as railings and security systems, as well as anything “extra,” such as a swimming pool or fitness centre. 

Learn How to Market European Vacation Rental Packages

It’s rare for an international guest to travel alone. A vacation that spans such a great distance will often include a large family or a group of friends. 

That, in turn, might require renting multiple units or looking for a rental that is large enough to accommodate an entire group. You can make your rentals appealing to these larger groups by offering rental packages or blocks. 

When renting to a large number of guests, the risk of damage increases exponentially – the more people, the more opportunity for something to go wrong.  Using CoverCat’s industry-leading insurance will help you protect your business and your homeowners property so you can focus on ensuring your guests have a pleasant stay..

Make Currency Easier to Understand

As you learn how to market European vacation rental units, you must think about the concerns of your potential guests and how to ease them. 

For instance, you might want to consider offering a currency conversion chart or calculator on your site to help your site visitors assess the cost of their stay. It will also help you avoid payment issues that might arise if a guest misunderstands the cost of your rental when they arrive.

In addition, consider listing reliable banks in your community that provide currency exchange services. That information will enhance the vacation experience and keep your guests from falling prey to scams that target international visitors.

Help Travelers Discover Off-Season Events and Attractions

Short-term rental businesses all over the world suffer from off-season lag. In turn, many attractions close due to a lack of customers, and even local companies might incur shorter hours of operation to save on the loss of revenue. That doesn’t mean you can’t market your business year-round, of course. All you need to do is look for attractions that will appeal to visitors in the fall and winter. 

Mention any opportunities for skiing or sledging in your marketing, for instance. You can also share information about fall or winter carnivals or festivals. Use these area events and off-season attractions to make your region seem irresistible to potential guests.

Share Your Listings on Social Media for Better Visibility

Never ignore the value that social media offers when marketing to international travellers. As you create social media posts, use hashtags and keywords selectively, primarily those that mention your city or popular attractions in the area. Search Google to find out what international travellers are using as their search terms.

If you use travel service websites, share those listings on your social media pages. Post plenty of vibrant and clear images of your rentals and area attractions (shopping centres, beaches, nightlife, etc.) to entice online users to add your rental to their bucket lists.

Keep Your European Vacation Rental Safe and Profitable

Especially when offering lodging to international travellers and large groups, you’ll want to take steps to guard against property damage and theft. CoverCat helps you attain peace of mind by providing comprehensive short-term rental insurance along with guest verification services. To learn more about what we offer, contact us today.