Rebuilding Together
We’re looking towards the future with hope. As people around the world start to plan their next trip, you can turn to your Recovery Toolkit for insights and advice on attracting growing demand. This page is packed with research from tens of thousands of travellers, statistics from trusted partners like Google and insights from our own booking and search data. We've identified three key traveller types and how you can attract them, and shared what we’re doing to support you and your teams. As we embark on this new year together, we promise to continue offering our support so your business can recover faster.
What’s on this page?
Current traveller priorities
Guests have different priorities than they did before. Catering to their needs can help you attract more demand and increase bookings.
Key traveller types
Our data shows there are three clear traveller types emerging as a result of the Coronavirus. Learn how to attract them to your property.
Property essentials
We’ve put together three guides to support you through the crisis and beyond, including how to set great prices and availability.
Common needs for all travellers
Our new reality means that travellers have different priorities than they did before. While we’re seeing distinct traveller types emerge, our data also shows there are essential needs all guests have in common.
Flexibility is a must
Our data shows that 77% of travellers want the flexibility to modify their bookings, and nearly half said being able to cancel for free is a must. Our tools and discounts can help you cater to these needs – for instance, the 'Flexible – 1 Day' policy makes it easy to give your existing policies more flexibility.
Health and safety is key
70% of travellers said they are more likely to book a property if it’s clear what health and hygiene policies are in place. And this data holds up – on average, partners who implemented their measures have received 11% more bookings than those who did not. That’s why we’ve worked on new ways for you to display your safety measures on your property page.
Last minute and in advance
With so much uncertainty, it’s understandable that so many travellers are still booking last minute and far ahead of time. To cater to this trend, you can load availability up to 16 months in advance and add ‘Last Minute’ and ‘Early Booker’ deals for the stay dates that suit your needs.
Today’s key traveller types
Our research and data shows three common traveller types have emerged. Here’s how you can attract these travellers to your property.
The domestic adventurer
Due to travel restrictions and safety concerns, many people are opting to explore their home countries. We’re particularly seeing domestic travellers seek out nature, beaches and outdoor activities. Here’s what you should know about their preferences and how to attract them to your property.
What our research shows
Travellers are exploring more destinations closer to home. We’re seeing a preference for driving by car and escaping to the outdoors, as well as growing interest in secluded destinations that can provide fresh air and relaxation away from the crowds. Watch the video to get all the details.
Search features to help travellers find properties like yours
We’ve improved the search experience to make it easier for customers to find properties closer to home. This includes highlighting properties based on what’s popular right now (such as ‘nature’ and ‘beach’) and adding a ‘Near me’ search feature so travellers can find destinations close by.
Social media to promote local travel
We’re regularly looking at ways to use social media to help travellers discover exciting destinations closer to home. Our #ExploreNextDoor campaign encourages travellers to share their recent travel photos from nearby areas, helping to inspire potential guests to book at local destinations.
The remote worker
We’re seeing a growing trend of people wanting to work from a different location. The possibility of combining work with exploring a new place or spending more time with family and friends is a big draw for many professionals.
What our research shows
With many offices closed, people are looking to take longer trips that combine business and leisure. Last year, our research showed that one-third of travellers were considering booking a property so they could work from a different location than their home, and we expect this trend to continue. Watch the video to get all the details.
Attract remote workers by adding the right amenities
Questions to properties about amenities such as wifi grew threefold in the last year, and continue to be very important. Make sure these and other remote-working essentials are displayed on your property page to help attract these guests.
Secure stable revenue with weekly and monthly rates
Longer stays can help you increase your occupancy while reducing your workload. Set attractive weekly rates (seven nights or more) and monthly rates (28 nights or more) to appeal to the millions of potential guests currently searching for longer stays.
The cross-border explorer
During the recent lockdowns, 65% of travellers reported being excited about travelling again and 84% were planning to travel again in the near future – both domestically as well as internationally. Here are some insights into the travellers that are looking to cross borders again.
What our research shows
Of the 84% of travellers who plan to go on holiday in the coming months, a third are planning to go abroad. We’re also seeing a growing focus on price and sustainable choices. Watch the video to get all the details.
Targeted deals and discounts
With 62% of travellers saying they’ll be more price-conscious when it comes to planning a trip – and 55% saying they’ll be more likely to search for promotions – setting up country rates or a Travel Offer can help increase your bookings.
Sustainability handbook
More than 50% of people want to travel more sustainably – and over two-thirds expect our industry to make that an option. That’s why we supported the United Nations Environment Programme in creating a handbook on applying Coronavirus measures sustainably.
Property essentials
We’ve put together some resources to help your business succeed during this period. Pass these guides along to your colleagues using the ‘Share’ button.
