April 2024 Newsletter

Updated on April 16, 2024

Numbers Worth Knowing

Every day, we work elbow-deep in numbers. From economic impact to booking trends to event feedback, data tells a story and informs smart decision-making. 

These are stats we have our eyes on this month

1. 1 in 10 CEOs and founders of major vacation rental companies are women. Read some of their stories and how many are working to increase that number in our Women’s History Month series capstone story.
   
2. 2 million properties were searched to find Vrbo’s top Vacation Rentals of the Year 2024. Check out the spotlight later in this newsletter to see the incredible properties.
   
3. Texas saw a 3X surge in visitors this week for the Great American Eclipse. Are you prepared to host around big-draw destination events like this? Make sure you’re ready with these tips.
   
4. 4 layers of data. That’s what Toby Babich of CLARA shared as a critical tip for advocacy efforts in a recent VRMA webinar. Legislators may poke holes in one data set, but STR advocates can make their numbers unassailable when layering together surveys, DMO reports, economic impact reports, scraped data, and more. Here’s a guide to advocacy data you need and where to find it.
   
5. A critical component of a 5-star review is guests’ first impression of your property. Just ask Tyann, the Queen of Guest Experience, who turned a subpar first impression score into a 5-star review with quick action and great communication. 
   
6. Miss any of the 6 informative sessions at last week’s Better Stays Together: Southeast – or any of our past events? Check out past events on demand in the Replays library inside the RR Network (login required.)
   
7. 79. That’s how many bills are currently working through the Hawaii state senate alone that mention short-term rentals and related terms. It’s 10 pm. Do you know where your policymakers are? If you’re an alliance leader and you’re anything less than highly confident in your legislative tracking, reply to this email. We can help.
   
8. 8/10 Gen Z travelers have stayed in STRs; Meanwhile, 84% of US travelers are age 40+. Does your property appeal to multiple demographics? Do you want it to? Check out our amenity guide series and our niche listing site roundup in the RR Network (login required.)
   
9. Our alliance directory now has 91 local and state STR alliances mapped around the country. See one in your area? Join it! See one missing? Leave a comment and let us know.

Alexa Nota,
COO and Co-Founder of Rent Responsibly

Inside the Rent Responsibly Network

Head off the biggest hosting headaches and reach your STR goals, big and small, in our new private space for STR operators. JOIN OR LOGIN TO READ >>>

Sustainability Guides and Resources Only available inside the RR Network

• 7 Sustainable STR Design Strategies
• The ROI of Smart Interior Design
• Capture Eco-Travel Demand
• REPLAY: Better Stays Together: Southeast

This year’s Vacation Rentals of the Year list by Vrbo features stunning waterfront homes, cozy cabins, and modern city stays in Sedona, Austin, Inlet Beach, and Blue Ridge. These properties boast trending outdoor amenities shaping travelers’ choices in 2024.

LEARN MORE >>