Summer may just be starting to wind down, but the holidays are right around the corner. As availability for luxury villa rentals over the holiday season is already dwindling due to an influx of guests looking to get away this year, now is an integral time for travel advisors to secure bookings for their clients. With an increasing number of travelers craving the extra privacy of a luxury villa rental and the ease of booking with a professional, advisors need to be well-versed in what to look for when selecting a villa rental company. Aside from choosing the accommodations, selecting a destination and finalizing logistics, there are additional facets travel advisors should consider when working with luxury clients for the holidays. Here are five tips for travel advisors when booking a luxury villa rental over the holiday season:
Book Months in Advance
Some travelers may not be thinking about holiday travel yet, but as villa rental companies experienced strong advance bookings at the start of the year, it’s imperative for those looking to get away this holiday season to begin planning now if they haven’t already. After missing countless opportunities to reconnect over the past two years, luxury villa rentals are booking up earlier than usual. As the holidays are notably the busiest weeks of the year and guests will want to ensure the correct number of bedrooms and amenities are available for their party, it is recommended that travel advisors work with a trusted provider to help their clients find the perfect accommodations well in advance. In fact, experts like Rental Escapes saw a 30% increase in bookings for the holidays in the first five months of the year when compared to both 2019 and 2021, and some destinations have been completely booked since the first 90 days of 2022. Travel demand over the holiday season is expected to continue as families, couples and other travelers continue to make up for lost time during the pandemic, making now a pivotal time to plan vacations.
Consider Renting for at Least One Week
Travel advisors should be aware and inform clients ahead of time that many luxury villa rentals have a minimum stay requirement, especially during the peak holiday season. Additionally, to make the most out of their vacation, travel advisors are encouraged to advise clients to extend visits and take advantage of the destination offerings as well as the attractive amenities offered through the villa, ranging from a private chef to a personal butler. To ensure clients are able to secure their desired villa in their top destination, guests should look to stay for at least one week over the holidays as many rentals have this standard as part of their overall revenue and occupancy strategy.
Travel with a Trusted Company
When selecting a reputable luxury villa rental provider for their clients, travel advisors can work alongside a team of highly trained villa specialists and concierge services who will provide high-quality, around-the-clock care. The team will be equally dedicated to offering in-depth knowledge of destinations and the range of villa options to help travel advisors throughout the vacation planning process. Travel advisors and concierge services are then able to band together to provide unparalleled support to guests. While leaning on each other, and combining their expertise, travel advisors and villa rental teams can create the ultimate vacation for guests, allowing them to relax and enjoy all aspects of their trip without the stress and time constraints of booking on their own.
Encourage Clients to Take Advantage of Once-in-a-Lifetime Destination Experiences
While working alongside the concierge from a trusted company, advisors can take advantage of an abundance of knowledge and a wealth of creative, unique experiences. Adventurous ski groups will be able to fly via helicopter to untouched ski slopes, families will hot air balloon among the Northern Lights, and couples will take a sightseeing tour via dog sled with an award-winning pack. No two groups are the same and collaborating with a concierge service will allow for a creative brainstorm that will result in a once-in-a-lifetime vacation for clients.
Request Over-the-Top Holiday Experiences from the Concierge
Luxury villa guests are able to enjoy a variety of over-the-top in-villa experiences that hotels and many other travel providers are unable to provide. Many villa rental providers offer specialized teams dedicated to ensuring travelers’ vacation dreams are met. Whatever a client requests, many companies will go the extra mile in order to make their holiday even more special. From an in-villa decorated evergreen tree waiting by the fireplace and a visit from Santa Claus for the kids, to hiring a private chef to cook a multi-course gourmet holiday meal and enjoying private fireworks for New Year’s Eve, concierge services will make any request come to life and ensure a festive, enjoyable, and stress-free holiday.
With many looking to travel this holiday season, it is important that travel advisors guide clients effectively when securing a luxury villa rental for their vacation. The above tips are important for agents to remember to ensure their clients have an unforgettable vacation.
Willie Fernandez’s experience in the travel industry spans more than 30 years across the cruise, hotel, vacation and villa industries. He is an accomplished and award-winning digital marketer who has transformed some of the industry’s most recognized brands. He currently serves as the CMO of Rental Escapes.
