Monday 20 July, 2020 TOP STORY STRz podcast 13: Celia Pronto, Love Home Swap In the latest episode of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we spoke to Love Home Swap managing director Celia Pronto to discuss the trend of home swapping, capitalising on the demand for staycations and shifts in customer behaviour. If you missed our last newsletter....
1. OYO to lay off 90 per cent of US workers 2. Airbnb ridiculed over host "kindness cards" 3. OYO to combine hotel and residential divisions in Japan 4. Join our LinkedIn group here 5. Budapest moves a step closer to short-term rental caps
Editor's comment
20•07•20 Welcome to the latest ShortTermRentalz newsletter!
• As we gradually return to some sense of normality, there are likely to be some considerable short- and long-term shifts in traveller behaviour, and many people believe that the concept of home-swapping is a trend that will really take off as consumer priorities change post-Covid-19.
Love Home Swap managing director Celia Pronto joined the ShortTermRentalz podcast this week to discuss this trend and why its members are seeking out the security of private homes when vacationing.
In a recent survey conducted by the global home-swapping platform, it was revealed that holidaymakers are emerging from lockdown with more caution and a heightened awareness of hygiene concerns, with 82 per cent of respondents admitting that hygiene would be "important" or "very important" in their travel choices.
The findings show that while there is ongoing concern among travellers about getting on a plane and going to a foreign country, the desire for a safe stay in a private home looks set to drive the home swapping and staycation trends for some time, even as the pandemic wanes. This would benefit smaller, privately-run family businesses as guests would be reassured from knowing and having a sense of trust in the owner.
According to Pronto, private homes are proving particularly popular for segments such as families, empty nesters travelling as couples, and second home owners. The longer that travellers in these groups feel nervous about stepping into public areas such as lobbies and bars, the more they will look to prioritise price and cancellation policies over traditional factors such as amenities and location, as well as book as close as possible to their stay to ensure they have the feeling of complete control over where they are staying.
View the podcast in full here.
• In other news, it was great to hear that UK prime minister Boris Johnson has given the green light for conferences and exhibitions to go ahead from 1 October. Not only will it be a potential lifeline for accommodation providers, venues, event organisers and suppliers around the country, but a return to face-to-face networking will be most welcome after the cancellation or postponement of events earlier this year.
This is of course positive news for IHM as we prepare to welcome hospitality and real estate professionals to Tobacco Dock in London for the inaugural Urban Living Festival on 25-26 November. Click here to find out more and buy your tickets ahead of this exciting new industry event.
• Don't forget to register for the next in our Urban Living webinar series, which takes place on Wednesday 22 July, at 14:00 BST, when the panel will be discussing student housing / serviced apartments / build-to-rent: developers changing the game with technology.
Joining the discussion will be: • Fred Lerche-Lerchenborg, CEO, Lavanda • Gina McMorran, managing director, sales & marketing - Europe, CA Management Services • Brian Welsh, CEO, Nido Student
Click here to register for the no cost webinar.
If you have a story you want us to tell the industry, please click here and get involved with the community by joining our ShortTermRentalz LinkedIn group here.
Paul Stevens, news editor
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