An exciting event in the Big Apple this weekend. Today was the first of the 3 day New York Travel Show. Seminars, performances, exhibitors, sweepstakes, and the ever popular ‘Tastes of the World”. More info on the show!
I am sorry to be missing it. Especially since Andrew Zimmern (crazy travel channel guy that eats things from allover the world will be there).
If you happen to be in the NY area, I suggest you scoot over to the show and check it out.
Ralf
Our guests are trained every day, and in every aspect of their lives, to go online. Online booking for golf tee times is my latest example. This sets the tone for how they expect to interact when shopping and BOOKING their next vacation rentals.
GolfSwitch, Inc., the world’s largest online golf reservations network, will assume the role of online tee time provider for 90 golf courses operated by Eagle Golf Management. This includes courses from its home state of Texas to New England and across the country to the west coast.
On a bit more dry of a note than usual. Some interesting news coming from the IRS.
Good news is just around the corner for owners of 2nd homes, vacation property and seasonal rental-units. The Internal Revenue Service will soon unveil a new safe-harbor rule for investors that own (or want to own) vacation properties. This new procedure will allow owners who primarily rent out their vacation homes, but occasionally use them for some personal use, a way to defer all their capital gains taxes by using a 1031 tax exchange.
Read all about it here:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/vacation_homes/1031_exchange/prweb718714.htm
Ok, on a more humorous parting shot from a recent vacation to the beach:
OK – the press release is about me joining LiveRez. It just seemed like a good way to kick off our PR campaign – not that I am that vain. : )
Check it out: http://www.liverez.com/press_releases.asp
I am excited to be on board here with LiveRez and thrilled to help the vacation rental industry grow.
Ralf
During this tax season, here are some tips for maximizing vacation rental income and profit (summarized nicely in a recent press release from an online listing service) :
I ran across this site as I was looking at some travel news today. There is some wonderful & quirky information on this site. The kind of stuff you just do not see pr read about every day.
Information about Australia’s UFOs, China’s new Great Wheel, and the likelihood that you will get run over be a car when suffering for jet-lag.
Why you should care? For starters it is fun. Secondly though, this should help you think about how you come across over the web. Are you fun to be around? Or are you a fuddy-duddy? Remember, being professional and trust
worthy does not mean you cannot be fun to be with.
Ralf�
Lets learn from the online merchants about effective email marketing…….
My inbox is always filling with emails from online merchants—fighting for my eyes to see and open their email first. The subject line is your first (and arguably your only) chance of your email being read. I don’t open every merchant’s email that says, “Buy from me! Buy from me!”, but I do open the ones with an enticing offer.
Bad examples
Good examples
Always remember the following legal restrictions: subject lines cannot mislead the reader from the content of the email. Also, beware that certain words and phrases (such as abusing the word “Free”) may cause the email to be flagged as spam. Yes, you can use “Free” in the subject; it is still very effective. Just don’t make it the first word, spell it in all caps, or immediately followed by an exclamation point.
Today I saw an article in the Philadelphia paper about rentals on the Jersey Shore getting lots of activity. Hey, just a little warm-up and here they all come to enjoy a vacation.
This made me think of how important timing is and how important it is to make the most out of all calendar events when promoting vacations. We just finished the Valentine’s Day getaway – hope you made the most out of that one.
It is never too early to plan out your agenda to add themes, new specials, new Adwords Ads, and other promotions ot make the most of the coming holidays. We are all looking for an excuse to treat ourselves or others to a great getaway. So plan that St. Patrick’s Day, April Fools Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, …………………..you get the idea.
Ralf
I ran across a great article about adventure travel today. Adventure travel is more than jumping out of planes. It is about unique and different experiences. I believe this is a trend that vacation rentals can benefit from simce most hotels and resorts are not so practical in terms of their mainstream location and accomodating special equipment and schedules.
Click here to see the full article.
Here are some of the types of Adventure Travel mentioned:Girlfriend Getaways�
Volunteer vacations
Expeditionary travel
Charity travel
Action-packed vacations
Family adventure vacations
Soft adventure vacations
Expedition cruising
Roots vacations
African travel
Click here to watch some 'old school' adventure travel bungee jumping.
Government cash will be coming into many homes of your target guests in the next few weeks. Tax refunds and the government stimulus package.
Will you remind them that this is a great time to book a vacation? You should.
This is ‘found money’ for most people and they feel that this money should go towards something that they have earned. Not another necessity. So send them a reminder how lovely their last stay with you was. Let them know what an adventure it will be to come to your destination this spring, summer, winter.
Lets not let them spend the money on silly things like video games, clothes, or, heaven forbid, investments.
Ralf