New research released from Booking.com identifies key insights into what holiday seekers are looking for in home rentals ahead of the summer travel period and how holiday homeowners can better attract and satisfy guest needs.
The Booking.com Holiday Home Outlook Report, surveying 11,000 homeowners and holiday seekers (including more than 1000 in New Zealand) between July and August 2023, reveals the evolving trends in the short-term rental sector from seven countries across Asia-Pacific including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, India, Vietnam, Japan and China.
Booking.com’s Holiday Home Outlook Report identified key reasons for booking baches, cribs and home rentals this summer, including uncovering those factors that can have holidaymakers prioritising one home over another.
More than any other market included in the report and perhaps a sign of the economic times, the majority of Kiwis stated that a property free of hidden costs or additional service fees (76 per cent) was the most important factor when booking a holiday home. Ease and confidence rounded out the top three factors with holiday seekers wanting a simplified booking process (63 per cent) and confidence that once their booking is made it is guaranteed (59 per cent).
Bach, Crib, or Beach House: What makes it uniquely Kiwi?
Kiwis have a long tradition of summer holidays spent at baches across the country, enjoying long days on the sand before retiring to a perfectly positioned deck for a BBQ and a beverage as the sun goes down. Booking.com’s latest research revealed beach access remains a drawcard, with two in five (43 per cent) Kiwis – more than any other country included in the study – claiming this as the number one factor that makes a holiday home uniquely Kiwi.
The top five factors were rounded out by aspects that signal Kiwi holidays spent with family and friends:
- • Beach access (43 per cent)
- • A large deck and outside furniture (24 per cent)
- • A pool or spa (14 per cent)
- • A BBQ (11 per cent)
- • A sleepout for extra room (6 per cent)
The traditional Kiwi bach trumps all others as the top type of property Kiwi holiday seekers are looking for this summer (68 per cent), with cosy cabins nestling in second place (44 per cent).
Many are looking for more unique travel experiences off the beaten track as the weather heats up with stays in accommodations such as tiny homes (23 per cent), camping or glamping (23 per cent), and farm stays (22 per cent).
Ahead of the busy summer holiday season, those who own holiday homes are keen for a helping hand when it comes to managing their property. Almost all of New Zealand’s holiday homeowners (91 per cent) say they have or would use an online travel platform to manage their property, with the key reasons being to reduce admin and that it makes the booking process easier (41 per cent).
A majority (82 per cent) of Kiwi holiday homeowners agreed that listing their property on more than one, or multiple platforms, was beneficial and would attract more bookings – with two in five (40 per cent) strongly agreeing with this sentiment. However despite saying so, just 16 per cent do list their property on multiple online travel platforms in reality.
With a busy season coming up, the top three challenges Kiwi homeowners experience when listing their holiday home all ranked closely:
- • Understanding the various government regulations and policies required to rent out and list their property (45 per cent)
- • Managing bookings to ensure they achieve maximum occupancy rates (41 per cent)
- • Transforming their own private investment property or holiday home into a short-term rental, making it available for guests and travellers to stay in (40 per cent)
Shared values for the little things
Booking.com’s research also revealed an answer to whether those looking to book a holiday home and those looking to have their home booked are aligned on what makes a bach more attractive – and it shows that homeowners could benefit by better understanding what will appeal to potential guests.
Reasonable prices, clean and tidy accommodation, and prime location were shown to be among the top three priorities for both parties. However, in what could signal a shift away from the traditional simple Kiwi bach, holiday seekers are more likely to book if a home has modern kitchen facilities and nice interiors.
On the flip side, holiday homeowners believe security and communication with guests hold greater influence over whether their place will be booked this summer. And while potential guests clearly show a preference for homes based on their presentation, just one-third (29 per cent) of holiday homeowners strongly agree that professional photography of the rental’s interior will generate more bookings.
“The Booking.com Holiday Home Outlook Report is representative of our desire to understand and respond to the New Zealand travel sector’s evolving needs both from a homeowner and holiday seekers’ point of view,” says Booking.com regional manager Oceania Todd Lacey.
“Booking.com’s overarching aim is to provide customers with the widest choice and diversity of great stays all in one place, without hidden fees. Of the 28 million total reported listings on Booking.com, more than seven million properties are homes, apartments and other unique places to stay such as the beach houses, baches, cosy cabins, cribs and cottages identified in this report.
“Booking.com’s top priority is to assist Kiwi holiday homeowners in attracting more bookings by simplifying the process and providing confidence when listing their properties, whilst offering travellers the opportunity to easily explore and book their perfect home stays.”
