Today in Vacay: New Kids on the Block in Vacation Rental Management

We created the Today in Vacay series to keep readers up-to-date on the rapidly changing trends and updates impacting the vacation rental management space.

We all know the famous players in the industry. But a growing industry attracts new players every day. Here are new ideas from a few upstart start-ups.

Hyatt gets its vacay on

All that vacation business pouring in from channels like Airbnb has attracted the attention of hotel giant Hyatt.  They are now expanding their traveler loyalty points program to include vacation property rentals. Hyatt has formed a partnership with Oasis, a network of boutique vacation rental properties worldwide, integrating its own Unbound Collection, a series of boutique hotels and properties loosely associated with the Hyatt brand. Oasis offers a combination of the comfort and authenticity of home rentals with the service and amenities of a hotel — including in-person check-in and check-out, fresh linens and toiletries, and on-demand concierge services. The last piece of the property pie will be the inclusion of the Unbound Collection and Oasis rentals into the Hyatt loyalty program.

Properties, points, powerful partners. Sounds positive! And there’s a plus for you: you can profit from Hyatt’s thinking by creating your own concierge services with Kigo. Kigo lets you provide first-class service to your guests with state-of-the art vacation rental management software. Why should Hyatt have all the fun?

Guilty pleasures with Gilt

Say you’re shopping for Marc Jacobs earrings, Givenchy couture, Ferragamo shoes—you know, the good stuff. How about tossing a vacation property rental into your shopping cart while you’re at it? Now it’s possible thanks to Gilt.com, a premier shopping website featuring sales and specials on luxury goods. Gilt has added Gilt Travel to their curated online catalog, offering splendid, exclusive properties, like this B&B in Palm Springs, California. Thanks to a partnership with members-only club Secret Escapes, Gilt can get you the perfect vacation rental to go with those Prada earrings and Armani men’s suits.

Will it work? The idea is certainly innovative. Gilt figures that the same audience that buys the high-end goods also has the cash flow and free time to rent some high-end apartments. If you want to see how beautiful and inviting a travel website can be, check out Gilt Travel’s online shop. There’s no need to feel left out just because they do it so well. You can have your own stunning website with vacation rental website software from Kigo.

The fixer upper vacationer

Who would want to vacation in a fixer upper? Well, lots of people, if the property is already fixer-uppered. Now make that property a fixer-upper home from Chip and Joanna Gaines, formerly of HGTV fame, and you’ll get way more people interested. Imagine staying in a property touched by famous hands, as seen on TV. Just think of the bragging rights on social media alone! Right now, Chip and Joanna are limiting their vacation rental properties to sunny Central Texas, but who knows where they’ll go next. Whatever the location, fame-loving travelers will be fixing to get upper there.

Stay tuned for more vacation rental news updates from Today in Vacay!