Trend Tuesday: Travel Agents Turn to Vacation Rentals, Wearable Tech to Transform Travel

Here are a few more noteworthy travel trends on my radar right now:

© VacaGetaways

Travel Agents Tap into Home Rentals

The success of room- and home-listing site Airbnb and vacation rental sites like HomeAway have changed the way consumers travel. More and more people are opting for homes over hotels, opening up a new channel for travel agents. Many vacation rental providers have seen double- and triple-digit growth in travel agent bookings for their properties, and, as a result, have implemented new technologies to help streamline the process and help agents efficiently market, sell and book these homes for their customers.

It's a trend that many in the industry expect to continue, especially as more travelers choose to stay in private homes, apartments or condos for leisure travel.

Read more about the trend on Travel Weekly.

Wearable Tech to Transform Travel

Mobile has already become a huge part of travel in a short period of time, and technology continues to evolve, creating new ways for travelers to record their trips, take pictures, navigate cities and book accommodations and flights. And wearables could be the next big thing that transforms the travel industry, because they make a lot of sense for people who are on the road. Mobile is convenient, because it puts technology at your fingertips, and wearables allow you to take it with you wherever you go. At the Consumer Electronics Show, there were many new wearable products geared toward travelers. Liquid Image embedded an HD camera into ski goggles, and features built-in connectivity, so skiers and riders can live stream their footage. June by Netatmo is a smart bracelet that synchs to an app that helps prevent people from burning at the beach. It notes the local UV index, what type of sunscreen you should wear and when to reapply.

This is only the beginning of this trend, and more travel-related wearables will likely hit the market over the next couple years.

Read more about this trend on Business Insider.

Trending Tuesday: The Airbnb Threat

The internet has opened up a world of sharing. It began with early social media outlets like MySpace and Friendster, was taken to the next level with Facebook and Twitter, and then it exploded with hundreds of other online platforms and mobile apps that let us share everything. The "sharing economy" was born, and soon it became more than just sharing photos, your status or your location: the internet made it easier to share your material items, including your car and your home.

Enter Airbnb, the Silicon Valley startup that allows people to list their spare rooms or their entire homes for leases online. More often than not, these rentals allow travelers to book a room or house for far less than what hotels, and even hostels, price them at. It's also a nice perk for homeowners who can earn a little extra cash from renting out rooms.

So, how big of a threat does Airbnb, and other websites similar to it, have on the hotel industry? According to reports, particularly one from hotel consulting company HVS, hotel executives aren't all that concerned...but maybe they should be. The common belief about Airbnb properties is that they aren't the highest quality, they are inconsistent and they don't have all the amenities that a hotel offers.

Airbnb listing for New York City/ Airbnb

However, if you delve a little deeper and do some legit comparing, it's easy to argue that. Many Airbnb listings offer large spaces, clean living conditions and a variety of perks for the same price or less than hotels touting standard room sizes. When I searched for listings in New York City over Labor Day weekend, I found a duplex loft in the Flatiron District of New York (complete with kitchen, bathroom, Wi-Fi and TV) for $225 per night for two people. Compare that to a 650-square-foot executive suite at a nearby hotel that ranges from $220-$350 per night. Which one would you choose? If the price is basically the same, I'd go with the apartment, and I think many others would agree.

It's not just the cost or size that should be a cause for concern for hotels. People are looking for a true local experience, and Airbnb offers just that. Hotels have made great efforts to add local flair to their properties, customizing each one to fit in the city it is located. But it's just not the same, there's still a sense of detachment from the city, still a feel of being a tourist. Travelers are interested in experiential trips and want to be immersed in a city's culture. Hotels can offer that to a certain extent, but renting out properties encourages people to explore the area on their own, rather than stick with what a hotel concierge suggests.

Bottom line, Airbnb and other alternative accommodations have a certain je ne sais quoi quality about them that's very appealing to travelers these days. According to the HVS study, hotels need to have "awareness of the increasing quality, availability, and economy of lodging options offered through Airbnb." This industry isn't slowing down, and its market share will continue to grow as more people seek out unique travel experiences.

Thanks to Skift.com for featuring the HVS study on their website!

Renting a Vacation Home

Spring is upon us (even though the weather suggests otherwise) and people are looking to get away. I am in the midst of planning a week-long summer trip with my friends, and I cannot wait to get a break from Chicago and relax on the beach. Lucky for me, one of my friends has a condo where we will be staying, no cramped hotel room, no expensive meals, and no charge. For many spring and summer travelers, a hotel seems like the best option. However, if you are planning a long trip with a large group of people, you might want to consider a vacation house. Think about it: coming home to a spacious living room and a nice kitchen where you can prepare your meals for a lot less than if you went to eat at the hotel restaurant. Sounds nice, right? And if you think this fabulous vacation home is going to cost you a fortune, well, you would be wrong. Many of these places run a decent price, especially if you are splitting the cost among 10 friends. So how do you go about renting one of these places?

This is a great time to utilize the internet and browse the many travel sites dedicated to renting vacation homes. One of the best sites to visit is HomeAway.com. (You may remember it from the somewhat controversial Super Bowl ad it aired where a baby doll was hurled towards a glass wall.) It has more than 500,000 rentals located all over the world. Value is a major selling point for these vacation homes, especially in a tough economy where people want the most for their money.

When booking vacation homes, it is important to make sure you are getting the best option. If you are only planning a weekend trip, then opt for the hotel, it will be much cheaper. If you are staying somewhere for a week or longer, a vacation home is probably the best idea, especially if you have a large group that requires a lot of rooms. These accommodations offer more space, kitchen areas and lounging areas, so you can ultimately save more on food and enjoy a nice relaxing environment at the end of the day.

To make sure you get everything you want, be sure to ask lots of questions when working with vacation-home renters. Many people make the mistake of believing everything in an online ad, and book the location without asking about size or amenities. Make sure you ask about heating and air conditioning, cooking space, laundry, nearby shops and restaurants, privacy and noise level.

Vacation homes can be great accommodations for you and your travel group, but just make sure you ask all the necessary questions, and get everything in writing.


For more on vacation rentals, check out this article.