5 alternative platforms to Airbnb
If Airbnb changed anything, it was the way people access accommodation. From a shared space to a private room or an entire property. This platform made it more accessible to have a perfect stay anywhere in the world.
But Airbnb is not the only platform that currently exists to search for accommodation or put a vacation property up for rent. That is why here we will tell you more about 5 alternative platforms to Airbnb.
Vrbo
Born in the United States, Vrbo was a pioneer in vacation property rentals, especially in Texas. Operating since 1995, Vrbo is currently part of Expedia where it has become its main growth strategy in this property segment.
The platform specializes in entire properties such as beach houses, chalets and apartments, attracting mainly families and large groups. Although it does not have a large reach, in the United States it is one of the most reliable platforms.
Advantages of Vrbo
Privacy: It only allows the rental of entire properties, ensuring privacy for guests, families, and travelers.
Less competition with shared properties: Unlike Airbnb, it does not include private or shared rooms, which benefits those who put a property up for rent.
Focus on families and groups: Features such as advanced filters to find properties with recreational areas or spaces adapted to those traveling with children.
Disadvantages of Vrbo
Less presence in urban markets: In non-tourist destinations, the offer of accommodations is not as wide. If you plan to open a hotel in Africa, the reach of this platform would not play in your favor.
Limited visibility: Although the rates for hosts are competitive, the platform is not as well known in certain international markets, it is only strong in the local American market.
Booking
One of the most well-known OTAs (external platforms for managing reservations) on the market is Booking. Although Booking focuses primarily on hotels, today it already includes different vacation rental properties.
In order to compete with Airbnb, Booking now allows you to search, select and book vacation properties. All this, taking advantage of Booking’s strong presence both in the market and among the tourism industry.
Advantages of Booking
Massive reach: It has a consolidated presence in more than 220 countries, with millions of monthly visits and a recognized and strong trust.
Diversity of options: It allows you to include everything from houses and apartments to private rooms, adapting to different market needs.
Advanced tools: It offers features such as personalized promotions, dynamic prices and detailed reservation analysis, as well as a simple and useful reservation management platform.
Disadvantages of Booking
High commissions: Host fees are often 15% or more, which can reduce the profits of owners.
Increased competition: In popular destinations, it is common to compete with hotels and large chains, which can make differentiation difficult.
Plum Guide
Plum Guide is a boutique accommodation platform that carefully selects properties based on strict quality criteria. Its focus is on accommodations that offer unique and high-end experiences.
In other words, Plum Guide is like a VIP Airbnb where you can find only exclusive and luxury properties. Although it may seem limited, it has properties in countries such as Italy, England, the United States, and more.
Advantages of Plum Guide
Prestige and exclusivity: Starting your boutique hotel and listing it on Plum Guide grants a seal of quality that attracts a premium audience willing to pay more for their stay.
Personalized services: Guests receive detailed attention and recommendations according to the experiences they want to live.
High profit margins: When targeting a luxury market, property rates are usually higher than for a regular property.
Disadvantages of Plum Guide
Rigorous selection: Less than 5% of the properties nominated are accepted on the platform, which can make starting here more tedious and complex.
Initial investment: Accommodations must meet higher standards in decoration, location and services, which may require higher initial investment and maintenance costs.
Homestay
More than a platform for entrepreneurs, Homestay offers short-term accommodation options. Here you will find hosts willing to welcome guests to give them a kind of “hostel” or receive them for a short period of time.
Its main focus is on offering a much more local and cultural experience by staying directly with the host. This makes it limited in both availability and comfort, for example.
Advantages of Homestay
Personalized experience: Guests value direct interaction with hosts, ideal for those who want to get to know the local culture.
Low entry costs: It allows owners to list private rooms or spaces within their homes without major technical or aesthetic requirements.
Niche market: It is popular among students, solo travelers, and those interested in academic, cultural, or work exchanges. This can be useful if you are looking to integrate your accommodation into the local culture.
Disadvantages of Homestay
Limited audience: It is less known and has a smaller market compared to other platforms.
Comfort: Comfort may be less compared to other properties where larger and more complete spaces are offered.
Hipcamp
This niche platform is responsible for offering accommodation and experiences related to the outdoors and camping. You can also find options such as cabins, tree houses and rural spaces.
Its main focus is natural experiences, allowing owners to offer non-traditional accommodations. For example, if you have a rural plot of land, it will be enough to adapt it for camping to put it up for rent.
Advantages of Hipcamp
Growing niche: According to statistics, ecological and sustainable tourism is in constant and sustained expansion, especially after the pandemic.
Flexibility for hosts: It allows listing from basic camping spaces to glamping accommodations and more sophisticated cabins.
Low operating cost: Owners do not need significant investments to start listing land.
Disadvantages of Hipcamp
Limited market: It is mainly focused on the United States, although it is expanding to other countries.
Location dependence: Accommodations in urban areas or areas not suitable for outdoor activities are in low demand.
As you can see, there are alternatives to Airbnb that you can also exploit to start your own accommodation or vacation property.
