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Airbnb is a big player in the online vacation rental space. This company, which originated in San Francisco, leads the pack with 4.72% of the desktop traffic for travel and tourism. They have been an industry leader for many reasons. Those include the fact they offer authentic experiences in local areas. This is attractive to travelers who are looking for authentic experiences, especially when considering Airbnb competitors.
But there are Airbnb alternatives for travelers seeking lodgings for an upcoming trip. Some of these people are checking other rental platforms for specific needs.
Like small group bookings, local entertainment, and restaurant suggestions to name a few. Some of these travelers are looking for experiences closer to home in places like Europe and Singapore.
Looking for vacation rental properties through an alternative to Airbnb? Or even to list one? Remember there are online travel agencies (OTAs) too.
The Vacation Rental Industry
The vacation rental marketplace is expanding globally. Revenue alone is projected to achieve significant growth, with market volume anticipated to increase substantially in the coming years. This trend is influential for Airbnb competitors.
By that year, 75% of total revenue from short-term rentals will be generated online. This market is rapidly expanding and shows no signs of slowing down.
Airbnb’s Market Share
Airbnb’s current valuation is about $113 billion. It’s also estimated to have over 20% of the market share of the entire vacation rental industry. Recent data also says this company has over 4 million hosts scattered across the globe. Approximately 14,000 new hosts are joining the company each month this year. Statistics also say the average host earns about $13,800 annually.
Why Do People Use Airbnb?
Looking for the perfect vacation rental online? Airbnb is a good choice for business travelers and others looking for vacation spots like beach houses. Travelers can find apartments for rent that are safe and verified. This company has a process that’s been worked out over the years it’s been in business.
There are other advantages that make this a favorite among travelers and others. For example, hosts need to verify themselves. The reviews that get posted are carefully screened. You can even message a host before pursuing a listing.
All payments go through the Airbnb system. The verified photos come in handy for modern campers who want to stay in a place that looks just like the pictures.
Are you a host looking to get started? Remember this company doesn’t charge an annual subscription rate. Airbnb works on a commission basis. Another advantage when you’re renting out– AirCover for Hosts is free insurance. That’s a bonus.
When evaluating this vacation rental platform, there is much to consider, along with a plethora of competition to navigate through.
Top Airbnb Competitors in the Vacation Rental Market
Checking out the Airbnb alternatives can make any vacation more exciting. Some people are looking to other places like the Expedia Group since Airbnb properties can book out in busy times in advance.
Whether you’re looking for apartments in Central America or a home in the South Pacific, here are some excellent Airbnb competitors. Some even use services like rentals united as a channel manager. This is a great service for hosts. They get data insights and have their lodgings placed on excellent venues.
Vrbo
Airbnb and Vrbo are big rivals in the vacation rental market. One big difference is Vrbo has a better search function. You can filter user reviews by guest rating.
Airbnb wins when it comes to listings. It has 7 million while Vrbo has around 2 million.
Glamping Hub
Other Airbnb competitors like this one present a different type of experience. Glamping Hub offers alternative accommodations targeting nature lovers. Like tiny houses, huts, and tree houses.
Property managers get a good deal here. The commission is only 4%. It lists the savings right on the website to help you plan your next trip
Booking.com
This online travel agency specializes in hotel accommodations but is expanding into vacation rentals. It currently offers over 6 million apartment and home rentals. Booking.com initially served as a search engine for the hotel industry and is now recognized as one of the top Airbnb competitors.
Unlike Airbnb, there are no shared spaces listed on this site. Just private vacation rental properties.
TravelStaytion
This is an alternative rental platform that specializes in expertly managed short-term rentals. TravelStaytion features 85,000 properties located in hundreds of cities around the globe.
Hopper
This is a newer site. It is user-friendly and displays multiple properties on a mobile device. It lists savings right on the website to assist you in planning your next trip. A great alternative that has quickly gained popularity and already boasts 2 million listings.
Holidu
Holidu aggregates listings from other vacation rental sites. This is different from other sites like Airbnb. It’s a metasearch engine that’s popular in Europe.
Trip.com
This is the number one OTA in China. Listing a private room or other types of property there gets you visibility with Asian travelers.
Hipcamp
Looking for a natural experience? Hipcamp is a camping reservation platform. It includes glamping options like yurt rentals. Budget travelers looking for more than just a room can use this offbeat service.
It might seem a little strange to see this name listed with services of companies like Airbnb. But vacation rentals are becoming included in Google maps. As of now, Google doesn’t charge a commission when they redirect a search to a direct booking page.
Property managers still need to pay for Airbnb listings.
More Top Platforms for Vacation Rentals
There are vacation rental competitors. Some of them are niche websites. Others are online travel agencies that amalgamate info.
Wimdu
Caters to people looking for villas in Spain and studio apartments in France. Wimdu has 350,000 rentals in the inventory.
Agoda
Based in Singapore. Two million listings but higher commissions than Airbnb.
Tripadvisor
If you think the competition is just between Airbnb and Vrbo, think again. This site is used by 490 million travelers a month. Tripadvisor is an OTA —an online travel agency. That’s different than a vacation marketplace specializing in rentals.
For property managers, this means you’ll be in competition with hotels. However, this isn’t necessarily a negative aspect if you offer a unique experience and maintain low costs.
Expedia
Expedia has a bigger client base than Airbnb. They provide more than just vacation homes and list other accommodation options. Expedia offers car rentals, flights, cruises, and other options.
Property owners will pay a little more (15-22%) in commission.
Plum Guide
This site specializes in luxury rentals. The main difference between Plum Guide and Airbnb is the type of customer. If you compare listings, you’ll see this site is more high-end. They look for elegant interiors and stylish furniture.
Rakuten
This choice offers a good mix. The official name is Rakuten Travel Xchange.
They are a hotel API partner that uses the most cutting-edge technology available.
Anyplace
This company closely resembles Airbnb by offering local rentals that allow people to experience authentic living. However, Anyplace is shifting its focus toward the remote worker market and is placing greater emphasis on apartments.
eDreams
Operates in 40 different countries. Serves 18 million customers in Europe.
HomeToGo
This company boasts the world’s largest search engine for vacation rentals. It is classified as a metasearch engine. It can pull listings to rent from other websites. Travelers can compare listings from other booking sites side-by-side.
How Is Airbnb Different From Other Competitors?
They are tops in the vacation rental options because they have around 7 million places to rent. The platform offers local unique experiences from rooms in apartments to whole houses.
Should Property Owners List Vacation Rentals on Multiple Platforms?
You can list on more than one different rental site. Even add the same listings on multiple platforms. But remember payment policies vary. So might cleaning protocols and cancellation policies. Watch out for double bookings too. They can hamper your search results.
Who Is the Biggest Airbnb Competitor?
Are you searching for an alternative to Airbnb? These options compete with travel metasearch sites, online travel agencies (OTAs), and various niche rental companies.
But their biggest competition comes from Vrbo. Keep in mind Airbnb has more listings.
What Is the Best Short-term Rental Site?
Hosts and business travelers both need to be interested in the best short-term rental accommodations. This blog has supplied information on which ones offer unique accommodations and property type choices.
Additionally, booking fees and features such as instant booking have been discussed. Taking all factors into account, including the service fee comparison between the leading platforms, Airbnb and Vrbo, Airbnb ultimately stands out as the superior option.
If you are looking to select a single platform, it’s worth noting that they have a solid reputation due to their establishment in the market. You can book private rooms, entire properties, or shared accommodations through them. Despite Airbnb’s fees, their listings tend to be more affordable than hotel rooms.
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