Grandma\u2019s house, in a village where overtourism is definitely not a concern, has been empty for a while. The place is quite nice and does get a few tourists during summer and holiday periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You’re considering renting it out for short-term stays, and that\u2019s probably a great idea. Someone may have told you that it\u2019s as easy as tiding it up a little, posting an ad on popular portals, and voil\u00e0\u2014it\u2019s done. But that\u2019s not exactly true. At Skippers, who specialize in territorial promotion, we know this well\u2014also from direct experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first rule is that any economic activity, even if not strictly entrepreneurial, must be sustainable. You should have a clear idea of how much it could yield and how much it will cost. If the goal is simply to cover expenses, bear in mind that returns may take a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about whether you\u2019ll do everything yourself or rely on professionals. There are pros and cons either way, and this decision will shape your business model from the outset. If you’re handling it alone, have a contingency plan in case unexpected issues keep you away from the property and your guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A house designed for hosting is not the one grandma set up to live in. All those trinkets with questionable taste need to go\u2014they\u2019re unnecessary, take up space, and require dusting. Out go the pasta machine, the vintage blender from the ’70s, and the plastic tray with the Florence Cathedral. Instead, bring in the kettle, the microwave, the hand-held citrus squeezer, plenty of mugs, and a lot of teaspoons. Anything that can\u2019t go in the dishwasher should be removed – hygiene is a top priority. A washing machine, dryer, and internet connection are essential, absolutely non-negotiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll need a large supply of high-quality linens. If renting them isn\u2019t possible or cost-effective, find a lockable space to store them securely. Replace wool blankets with machine-washable quilts. If you’re hosting families with children, you\u2019ll need a crib with railings and ensure cleaning products are stored out of children\u2019s reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting such a venture requires a solid plan. Timelines must be estimated carefully. What work needs to be done? What could go wrong? How long until the new table arrives? How many days will it take to obtain the necessary permits and access the police portal? When can you meet the neighbours to reassure them? Everything must be in place before opening for reservations. If the first reviews are negative, it\u2019s going to be an uphill battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a very physical and also a very digital business. A well-written description, quality photographs, and a narrative that makes people want to stay are worth investing in. Bookings come from listings, so make them memorable. It helps to have a website or a digital folder for instructions, or even a custom app. This allows guests to care for the home and helps hosts reinforce house rules gently. The biggest challenges are often waste sorting\u2014no one wants to separate week-old organic waste from plastic\u2014and maintaining good relationships with the neighbours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing how to welcome guests inclusively is vital. You\u2019ll be hosting people of various ages, backgrounds, and cultures. When guests arrive, you should anticipate their needs and delicately prevent possible mishaps. Explain to a group of twenty-somethings that parties aren’t allowed. Show elderly couples where the nearest pharmacy is. Suggest local restaurants to business travelers. Provide jogging trail maps to athletic visitors. Be warm and cordial, but never intrusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Promoting local points of interest benefits both the location and your business. If you can share the spirit of the place, suggest day trips or shopping routes, and highlight lesser-known gems, you\u2019ll earn loyalty\u2014perhaps even repeated bookings, or referrals. Leave travel guides, brochures, and even flyers for community events and folk dancing nights. These evenings of food and music, often organized by non-profits, also support the local community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We Skippers support those diving into the hosting journey\u2014from setting up the home to navigating bureaucracy, to crafting compelling listings and engaging on social media. We come equipped with creativity, experience, and patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’d like to rent out a home for tourism, write to us at info@skippersproject.com. The first consultation is always free\u2014and the virtual coffee is on us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#tourism #territorialmarketing #brand #communication #skippersproject #consulting<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Grandma\u2019s house, in a village where overtourism is definitely not a concern, has been empty for a while. The place is quite nice and does get a few tourists during summer and holiday periods. You’re considering renting it out for short-term stays, and that\u2019s probably a great idea. Someone may have told you that it\u2019s… Read More »Renting to tourists: is it that easy?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":668,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t