The Seville Fair, also known as Feria de Abril (April Fair), is one of the most famous festivals in Spain. Held annually in the Andalusian city of Seville, the fair attracts visitors from all over the world who come to experience the vibrant culture, delicious food, and lively atmosphere.
The origins of the Seville Fair can be traced back to 1846 when a local councillor named José María Ybarra organised a livestock fair on the outskirts of the city. Over time, the fair grew in popularity and evolved into the colourful event it is today. It is now held each year during the second week of April and lasts for six days.
The fair takes place in a huge temporary village known as the Real de la Feria. This village is made up of over a thousand casetas (tents), each of which is decorated in a unique style and usually belongs to prominent families of Seville, groups of friends, clubs, trade associations and political parties. These casetas are the heart of the fair and are where people gather to eat, drink, dance, and socialize.
A family-friendly event
During the day, the fair is a family-friendly event with lots of activities for children such as pony rides, face painting, and traditional games. As the sun sets, the atmosphere becomes more lively, and the real party begins.
Flamenco music fills the air, and people of all ages take to the dance floor to show off their moves. The casetas serve a variety of traditional dishes such as paella, tortilla, and fried fish, as well as local wines and spirits.
One of the most famous events of the Seville Fair is the carriage parade, or Cabalgata, which takes place on the opening night. The parade features beautifully decorated carriages, horsemen, and women dressed in traditional flamenco dresses, and is a highlight of the festival. The streets of Seville are also decorated with thousands of lights, creating a magical atmosphere.
The Seville Fair is not just a festival, it is a celebration of the culture and traditions of Andalusia. It is a time when people come together to enjoy good food, music, and dance, and to celebrate the things that make their region unique. Whether you are a visitor to Seville or a local, the Seville Fair is an experience that you will never forget.
Where to stay during the Seville fair
This week-long festival is held in Seville, Sun, Apr 23, 2023 – Sat, Apr 29, 2023, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world, especially this post-pandemic year. If you’re planning to attend the Seville Fair, staying in a short-term rental is a great option for a variety of reasons.
Location: Short-term rentals are often located in the heart of the city, which means you’ll be within walking distance of the fairgrounds. This is especially important if you plan to stay out late and don’t want to worry about transportation or finding a taxi. Additionally, staying in a rental home or apartment allows you to experience the city like a local, rather than staying in a tourist-filled hotel.
Space: Short-term rentals are usually more spacious than hotel rooms, which means you’ll have more room to relax and unwind after a long day at the fair. You can also cook your own meals and enjoy the comfort of a home away from home. This is particularly beneficial if you’re traveling with a group or family, as you’ll have more privacy and can enjoy each other’s company without feeling cramped.
Cost-effective: Renting a short-term property can often be more cost-effective than staying in a hotel, particularly if you’re staying for an extended period of time. You can often negotiate rates with the owner or manager, and you’ll save money by cooking your own meals instead of dining out for every meal.
Cultural immersion: Staying in a short-term rental allows you to experience the local culture and way of life. You can shop at local markets, cook local cuisine, and interact with the neighbors. This is an excellent way to fully immerse yourself in the Seville culture and enjoy the fair like a true local.
Amenities: Many short-term rentals offer amenities such as laundry facilities, kitchens, and Wi-Fi. These amenities can make your stay more comfortable and convenient, especially if you’re staying for an extended period of time.
In conclusion, staying in a short-term rental during the Seville Fair is an excellent choice for those who want to experience the city like a local and enjoy the festivities to the fullest. You’ll have more space, be in a prime location, save money, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
At Doinn we are very committed to the cleaning standards in short-term rentals during the Seville fair despite the challenge of asking the cleaners not to party too much those days 🙂
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to create unforgettable memories in Seville!
In Europe, short-term rental capacity is at pre-pandemic levels.
Airdna brought fantastic news! The short-term rental demand in Europe had a strong first quarter and 2023 looks just bright with a significant increase in the number of nights stayed.
Compared to January 2022, there was an 18.1% increase in demand, and a substantial 28% increase compared to 2019.
This extended seasonality led to a 5% increase in occupancy from last year and a 6% increase above pre-pandemic levels.
Of the top 20 countries, 14 experienced an increase in occupancy, with Portugal, where we were born, with a +19.8% YOY, Austria +16.9%, Czechia +12%, and Greece +10.4% seeing the highest growth.
For the first time since the pandemic began, the available supply of short-term rentals in Europe exceeded 2019 levels, with 4.7% more properties available in January than in January 2019.
The not-so-great
On the other hand, Croatia, Denmark Sweden, Hungary, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom occupancy levels saw a decline in occupancy levels.
However, these countries still had higher demand compared to the previous year.
The growth in available listing nights in these nations exceeded the growth in demand, leading to lower occupancy levels.
This increase in available listing nights signals a recovery toward typical occupancy rates after a period of reduced supply due to the pandemic.
Is it possible for the fastest-growing real estate type in Europe to sustain this?
The four real estate categories
Since January 2019, there has been a shift in the market share of the four real estate categories, with House/Villas and Unique Stays gaining 2.6% and 0.7%, respectively, while Apt/Condo/Lofts and B&Bs have each lost 2.9% and 0.4%.
This change can be attributed to shifting traveler preferences in the post-pandemic era. Apt/Condo/Lofts, which are predominantly located in urban areas, have yet to fully recover from the pandemic in terms of supply, while more options outside of urban areas have emerged, leading to a decline in their market share.
On the other hand, Houses/Villas and Unique Stays have become increasingly popular due to their more experiential, spacious, and private accommodations, resulting in their market share growth.
Finally, B&Bs, which typically involve sharing common areas with other guests, have seen a 0.4% decline in market share as they have become less desirable during the pandemic era.
This positive trend is expected to continue in the coming months, providing continued benefits to those involved in managing vacation rental properties.
The significance of digitization, particularly in the overlooked operational aspect, cannot be overstated. Doinn is committed to helping you grow and is here for good.
Cleaning standard operating procedures (SOPs) are essential for any short-term rental that wants to remain efficient and productive. By having a set of SOPs in place, cleaners, in-house or outsourced, can quickly and effectively complete tasks without having to worry about making mistakes or wasting time.
Not only does this help keep the workplace running smoothly, but it also helps to ensure that safety protocols are followed and that the quality of work is consistent.
Cleaning SOPs help organizations save time and money, increase customer satisfaction, and reduce the risk of accidents or injuries while they clean.
Writing Cleaning standard operating procedures (SOPs): Where To Begin
SOPs should be written in a step-by-step, easy-to-read format by subject-matter experts who know the processes and the structure of the organization.
The process descriptions and steps should not be overly lengthy or wordy; they should be simple and short.
Illustrations, pictures, diagrams, and charts are helpful when it’s necessary to demonstrate processes as they are described visually.
It may be helpful to include additional experts to help gather information and to review, test and approve draft SOPs.
Here is a general SOP for cleaning a short-term rental from our providers, but there are many examples on the internet that you can customize for your own needs.
I’m not going to lie.
Creating SOPs is a lot of hard work. Like really hard work. But once you have them in place and running well, they’re going to change your business. And your life.
You’re going to save time. You’re going to save money. And your customers and every single person you’ve hired for your business are going to love you.
It will be worth it a hundred times over.
It’s crucial to emphasize the significance of testing your SOPs. Try them out on multiple individuals, including at least one person who has limited knowledge of the procedure. This will help ensure that they’re not relying on their previous knowledge rather than what you’ve explicitly written out.
If you’d like more invaluable information on how Doinn can improve your operations, talk to us here
The vacation rental industry has seen a major surge in the past few years, with Airbnb leading the charge. Recently, Airbnb reported record financial results for 2022, signaling that this trend is likely to continue into the future.
This news should be exciting for property managers who are looking to capitalize on this booming market and increase their profits.
Professional cleaning
One of the most important things property managers can do to ensure continued success is to partner with professional cleaning companies.
Cleanliness and sanitation play an integral role in creating positive experiences for guests, which leads to more bookings and higher reviews – all of which contribute directly towards increased revenue potentials from your properties!
Professional cleaners have access to quality supplies as well as specialized training that helps them get every nook and cranny sparkling clean quickly so you can turn around rentals faster than ever before. Plus they take care of all aspects related to cleaning – from dusting furniture surfaces down deep-cleaning carpets & rugs – so you don’t have to worry about it yourself!
Finally, working with professional cleaning companies such as Doinn‘s vetted companies also means having peace of mind knowing that your properties will always remain up-to-date on health codes & safety regulations mandated by local authorities or governing bodies like OSHA (Occupational Safety Health Administration).
Not only does this protect both you & your guests against any legal issues but it also reflects positively upon how others view your business operations overall – giving potential customers even more reasons why they should choose YOU over competitors when deciding where to stay next time they visit town!
With Airbnb delivering such impressive financial results in 2022; now is definitely an opportune time for vacation rental property owners/managers out there looking to maximize their earning potential while providing excellent customer service simultaneously through partnering up with professional cleaners near them today
In closing, the fact remains clear: Airbnb’s impressive performance directly benefits those involved with managing vacation rental properties -and it doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon!
Thank you to the guests and Hosts who helped make this possible!
By staying current trends within space, property owners should feel confident knowing they’ve made the right decision investing time and money into making sure guests always receive the highest quality experience possible each every stay.
My colleagues from the 500 Global, very intelligent professionals, prepared and with a lot of responsibility, told me “The company has to stay in shape. If there are too many people, I agree with what they have done. Otherwise, these people cannot develop, frustration, useless work, coffee for everyone and other ills that I will not list are generated. In addition, the company is less prepared for the future if they are badly given“.
Where we come from:
1. In early 2020, American companies were told to pull the parking brake. Then months later they were told: “full throttle…” because everyone was much more on the internet and because of the financial stimuli.
2. Since the 4th quarter of 2022 they have been telling them again: “Put the brakes on” for what is coming. Now they are asking: “Are we really slowing down, or is it going to be like 2 years ago?”
Layoffs may be necessary to ensure the viability of the company (or shareholder remuneration). But the current situation is that technology companies lay off because the management has not been successful in these 3 years.
Consistency
I give you 3 situations of companies that, in my opinion, are consistent in their dismissal policy:
Businesses hit by COVID: Airbnb and Uber, are 2 companies that COVID hit very hard. Now they have record results. Airbnb laid off 1,900 people in April 2020 and I think everyone got it.
2. The big ones that don’t go crazy: Apple, has not grown artificially because the conditions were propitious. Still, no layoffs, and its CEO cuts the bonus by 40%.
The recent layoffs of vacation rental employees have been a difficult experience for many, from Vacasa (1300 employees), OYO (600 employees), Avanstay (144 employees), Sonder (250 employees), etc We are sure their contributions were valued and appreciated while you were there
If you are one of the affected employees, we hope you will find great new challenges soon – ones that allow them to use your talents in meaningful ways and further develop your skill sets over time.
Our thoughts are with each person who is going through this transition period as they look for new opportunities. We wish everyone impacted by these layoffs all the best as they move forward into a brighter future!
If you would like to join our team, send us your resume (cv@doinn.co) and explain your interest.
Sustainable travel has become a major focus for many travelers and companies alike.
The short-term rental industry is now taking steps to ensure that guests are making a positive impact on the environment by introducing a greenium fee.
This greenium fee will be used to help fund projects that have a positive environmental impact and help reduce the negative effects of tourism.
The greenium fee would be an additional fee that guests will pay when booking their stay, but it won’t be too expensive. It’s estimated to cost around $2-3 USD per night, depending on the length of stay and other factors.
The money raised from the greenium will go towards projects such as reforestation, energy efficiency, waste management and more.
Should this initiative be a part of the short-term rental commitment to sustainability and its goal to become carbon neutral by 2030?
With this new fee, we hope to make it easier for guests to contribute towards sustainability initiatives while also promoting responsible tourism practices around the world, especially regarding labor shortage.
Lack of human resources
The hospitality industry is a rapidly growing sector of the global economy, and short-term rental property managers are an integral part of this success. However, we are concerned about the sustainability of our industry due to a lack of human resources.
The demand for rental properties has increased dramatically over recent years as more people look to rent instead of buy homes or invest in other forms of real estate.
This surge in popularity has put pressure on existing property managers who struggle to keep up with demand while also providing high-quality service and managing all aspects associated with running their business efficiently and effectively.
Without enough qualified personnel available, it can be difficult for Short-term property managers to meet customer expectations or keep up with new trends that may affect their businesses such as changes in technology or regulations around short-term rentals.
Furthermore, without adequate staff, there is also an increased risk that important tasks related to rental management will not be completed on time which could lead to dissatisfied customers and lost revenue opportunities if left unchecked.
Additionally, having fewer employees means less diversity within teams which can limit creativity when it comes problem-solving issues related directly or indirectly to renting out short-term rental properties
Sustainability
To ensure our industry remains sustainable into the future we must focus on:
1. recruiting highly skilled individuals who have experience working within this field before they become overwhelmed by too many responsibilities at once;
2. creating systems that allow them to access necessary training materials; provide competitive salaries so top talent isn’t lured away elsewhere;
3. promote flexible working hours so team members don’t burnout quickly;
4. encourage collaboration amongst colleagues whenever possible so everyone feels supported throughout each project they take part in together.
This is what we are doinn with our tech, stronger foundations upon which successful long-term strategies can build – ensuring continued growth even during times when external factors threaten stability.
Let’s work together to make guests and OTAs understand that short-term rental prices need greenium fees to make our industry and our world a sustainable better place.
As technology continues to evolve in the short-term rental industry, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to keep up with the changes in the digital world.
Digital fatigue is a real phenomenon that affects Generation Z and Millennials in particular, who are constantly bombarded with new gadgets, apps, and services. This can lead to customer disengagement and a lack of motivation when it comes to using digital products.
Becoming digital
More than 300 vetted cleaning and linen companies have become digital thanks to our operations center; a hub that gathers all their clients, jobs, cleaners, planning, and dispatching needs in a single platform where 94% of the processes are automated. Meaning you just need to do the remaining 6%, which you can easily do in 10 minutes per day.
Doinn´s UX/UI designers are taking digital fatigue into account when designing our features to ensure that users don’t get overwhelmed or frustrated. We believe it’s important for short-term rental software to create engaging experiences that are easy to use and understand in order for customers to stay engaged with their products.
By taking the time to understand the needs of every user: short-term rentals operations manager, short-term rental cleaning provider, short-term rentals laundry providers, and, of course, short-term rentals cleaners, and create intuitive designs that are tailored towards them, Doinn can ensure that digital fatigue does not become an issue.
Digital fatigue is a core issue that affects consumer experience, as it stops them from continuing their digital journey. This concept can be considered the antithesis of “digital fluency”.
Beat distractions to free your mind
Distractions like email, social media, and breaking news are everywhere. Adjusting your devices, apps, and notifications is key to good mental health and to be efficient. As it is important as well to adjust and improve the way you work, tailor your unique habits and routines, your unique brain and body, and your unique goals and priorities.
If you are involved with the operational part of the short-term rentals, you need to be agile in responding to the field team, but implementing time management systems as the Pomodoro method, could be very effective.
The Pomodoro technique 🍅
The idea behind the technique is that the timer instills a sense of urgency. Rather than feeling like you have endless time in the workday to get things done and then ultimately squandering those precious work hours on distractions, you know you only have 25 minutes to make as much progress on a task as possible.
The periodic forced breaks remind you to get up, move around, and take a few minutes to relax and clear your head. It allows you to reset mentally and come back to your work with a fresh perspective. With this technique, you haven’t spent hours in front of your computer without even realizing it. Instead, that ticking timer reminds you to get up and take a breather.
Educating the team not to expect an immediate answer to their questions and to respect your focus time, will also help them to have their own focus time. Just define which is your answering time ex. every hour between minute 15 and 25, and between minute 45 and minute number 55.
Using a message system like the one we have in our operations APP, will help you work asynchronously with your field team. If your colleagues love calling you, just set the sound off during your 15 minutes silent period.
As Short-term rental companies are still working understaffed, it has never been this important to have time management best practices.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many short-term rental managers are thinking about how to make this holiday a success. With the holiday season in full swing, Thanksgiving can be a stressful time for hosting guests. You may end up putting too much pressure on yourself, which will affect your health.
We know you want everything perfect, so we have found some great tips for making Thanksgiving a successful business day for you and your company.
Why Thanksgiving is a great day to be spent in a short-term rental
Thanksgiving is a day that celebrates the things we are thankful for. It is a time of love, family, and family time. But most of us can not afford a house to hold a dinner for so many people, so a staycation in a short-term rental is a great solution.
If you are afraid of getting a loud party and/or an extremely dirty kitchen, you should follow these tips:
1. Make sure guests have a proper in-person check-in. Smart locks are great for autocheck-in for regular days, but it is worth dedicating 30 minutes to this reservation on such a special day.
2. Explain in detail how the kitchen works if they will be cooking there and subtly let them know you expect to find things as clean as you leave them.
3. As you can imagine, every tip about nice shops that will be open for Thanksgiving around your place will be more than welcome.
4. If you have extra Thanksgiving decorations for them to borrow, they probably will fit your table better than whatever they bring from their home
5. Make sure you have enough cutlery and crockery for all the guests
The no-party policy
6. Be clear about your no-party policy, we want them to feel at home but respect the house as if they were in their in-law´s house.
7. If they are staying for more than one day, offer an in-stay cleaning service. They will be more than grateful to save the clean-up time and sharing the cleaning fee between the guests will make it very affordable.
8. Let them know where are the table games and/or a whiteboard to play, it will generate good memories and will avoid even the youngest to spend time on their screens
9. Prepare simple Thanksgiving Photo Booth Props with your logo or a QR code with your website or email. They will love it and will always have access to your contact in their pictures
10. Thank them for choosing to spend Thanksgiving in your place. This is the time of the year when we feel more comfortable thanking the people who make a difference in our lives. If they decide to book your place every year, it can be a game changer for your business and life.
The Doinners have the same mission, but a new brand identity
The past 6 months at Doinn have been some of the most challenging and interesting for us as a company. We have been focusing on our strategy and discovering how we can fit in such a diverse and nuanced ecosystem ranging from Europe to the US and across the South East Asian markets.
Looking back we believe that our messaging was somewhat ambiguous and we wanted to bring greater clarity to what we do, and most importantly why we have embraced this mission. The Doinners have a B4B mindset, since we have always embraced our customer’s needs, and thrived on helping them grow. Ultimately we believe that this will shape our community and bring greater value to this industry that we all love so much.
Cleaning is critical and when not performed well can severely jeopardize profitability and competitiveness for the short-term rental operators. We are on a mission to digitize cleaning and laundry companies within just a few minutes, by providing them with a platform that will enable them to achieve excellence, perform far more efficiently and increase profitability.
We are also helping hospitality operators save hundreds of hours per month, enabling their teams to focus on strategic activities such as growing their portfolio and driving greater revenue.
Doinn facilitates the relationship between our users via employing cutting-edge technology and thanks to our platform’s constant innovation.
We felt it was the right time to equally enhance our communication and brand identity.
Doinn is the first platform to provide a full scope of predictable data intelligence, for sales, operations, HR and more. The data we harness is valuable to the Hospitality Operators as well as the Service Providers and all other players along this value chain.
Our mission of making a better world, promoting a responsible way of hosting, started as a dream and it’s coming true:
We prioritize green cleaning companies.
We optimize the linen deliveries and currently, 10% of them are done by bicycle.
We stand by the people! Our providers are free from exploitative practices and discrimination. They integrate people with disabilities and comply with labor laws.
We want to end the cleaners’ black market in the hospitality industry and bring financial transparency to improve tax and payment collection.
We want to inspire and help our users to better themselves and to turn their goals into reality
We’re very excited about the clean and fresh look of our new website, and we hope you like it too!
Housekeepers Week is our opportunity to celebrate the members of the housekeeping staff and show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
It’s a chance for everyone in the company to take a moment and recognize the vital role housekeeping plays in ensuring that guests have comfortable stays in your short-term rentals.
It was first observed in 1949 and was organized by The National Cleaning Management Association (now known as Cleaning Management Institute).
How do you show your appreciation for the housekeeping staff this week?
Buy them a gift.
Take them out for lunch or coffee.
Have a party for them!
Ways to show your appreciation for the housekeeping department throughout the year.
Invite housekeeping staff to lunch or dinner. This can be done individually, by department, or at a large company-wide event.
Send them as many as possible messages of appreciation and let them know they are appreciated by the company and valued as employees in the hospitality industry. Sometimes we just send them messages when we are disappointed with them!
Create a special bulletin board or notice board where you can display cards or letters from guests thanking housekeeping staff for their hard work, kind words, and dedication to making guests happy during their stay at your properties! They’re a great way to tell housekeeping staff that their hard work is appreciated by guests.
Housekeeping is not just about properties, it’s about providing a great experience for all the guests.
Conclusion
Housekeepers are the backbone of any property management company. They can make or break your guest experience, so it’s important to show them the respect and appreciation they deserve.
Housekeeping staff works hard every day to ensure that guests are pleased with their stay at your property, but it takes more than just good service to keep people coming back for more.
It doesn’t matter if you have your housekeepers under your paycheck or if you outsource the housekeeping service, they all need to have the feeling of belonging with your team. It also takes recognition from management and front-line supervisors who understand how important these workers really are!
Your guest will be touching your linen for close to 1/3 of their stay. Isn’t it important that the quality of linen you provide is to the highest standard?
We know you are starting to wonder what to get for the next season, and unless you are able to rent the linen, there are a few aspects to take in mind.
Are you struggling to choose the sheet material?
In today’s world, we have so many choices of materials. All with their quality and advantages. Just choosing linen, there is cotton, polyester, polyfiber, microfiber, blends… So, how do you choose what material is the best for your vacation home and is easily maintained by housekeeping? Let’s take a look at the most top-tier ones
Cotton:
Cotton: 100% cotton sheets and towels are a must in high-end accommodation. Just like your clothes, this will give you the most comfortable and homey feeling. Cotton is breathable and light. When used in a household setting, it’s perfect for a good night’s sleep and always the way to go. It’s washable at high temperatures so perfect when working with professional laundry services. But in a high turnover short-term rental, cotton might be tricky to maintain. Cotton wrinkles easily and to give that nice crip it needs to be ironed professionally. Cotton is recommended to be used in a linen rental program with a professional laundry that operates a calender. Cotton is a natural product so that means it is better for the environment and some linen manufacturers have recycling programs for end-of-life linen.
Polyester:
These sheets are manufactured to last in a heavy environment and intent to be beaten down. Although some might feel nice to the touch, the manufacturing of these types of linen is not very ecologically friendly and will lower guest satisfaction. Although a long lifespan, polyester tends to turn gray because the fibers can burn an industrial laundry process. This is mostly a problem with towels
Polyester-Cotton:
A combination that is used in a lot of full-service hotels. Although it is a very good option, guest experiences might vary depending on your supplier. It’s easy to maintain and tends to wrinkle less.
Microfiber:
Although this is used a lot in short-term rentals, microfiber is a very un-ecological fabric. It feels nice to the touch, looks good on the bed, and is easy to maintain. Because microfiber is also a polymer, it could be less hygienical because it can’t be washed at high temperatures which is one of the main characteristics of cotton
Are people really counting the thread count?
Look:
Let’s start by debunking the myth. Thread count matters but to a certain extent. Thread count is the number of threads per square inch. The thread count on the packaging is a guideline from when the product was finished. After sheets are finished, they need to be washed so the fibers shrink, making the number of threads per square inch variable
When shopping for the right sheets, you want something that feels nice and breathable. The higher the thread count, the nicer the feel but the less breathable. The perfect thread count is not higher than 400 TC. Although a lower thread count doesn’t feel as nice, it is used a lot in warmer areas because it is very light.
I can’t emphasize enough the linen color:
You want to give your guest the cleanest experience in their short-term rental home, that is why white sheets should be preferred. Hotels only use white linen to improve quality control and make it easier to show that sheets are cleaned on a regular basis. We do understand that for short-term rentals, you sometimes want to switch it up and bring some color to the bed- and bathroom. This can easily be done by using a nice color throw or throw pillows.
The other advantage of using all white is consistency. When you would switch to a laundry service, they work with uniformity in order to not lose time during the sorting process. If you start using white linen in your rental, you will be future-proof.
Bottom line?
We all grow up with the cleaning standards of hotels in mind…
…don´t be afraid of losing the authenticity of the short-term rental by having hotel-like linen, it just makes guests feel better than home
Too many PMS options? Meet Ynnov a recognized option in the short-term rental market.
And as usual Doinn only partners with the best options in the industry.
This is the case of Ynnov, a 100% Portuguese PMS developed especially for vacation rental.
Keep reading all the details about PMS Ynnov 😉
Developed 100% in Portugal and in Portuguese:
Ynnov is a PMS that has been evolving for 12 years, bringing together some of the best tools.
Since its origin in 2010, Ynnov has maintained a process of continuous improvement that guarantees you, today, maximum efficiency in the management of your properties on all fronts where you can operate.
With a Portuguese team that understands the needs of the local industry.
In the market for 12 years, in constant evolution and growth, the Ynnov platform is today the most complete PMS available for the Portuguese market.
With its wide range of features, the Ynnov software guarantees an efficient and automated management of the entire operation, whether short term accommodation, hostels, or hotels.
By using Ynnov, hosts and property managers can save precious time in daily management, regain quality of life and focus on what is really important for their business.
Decreasing the probabilities of human error will increase customer satisfaction and increase the profitability of your properties.
Ynnov is considered one of the best Portuguese PMS and Channel Manager, as it maximizes productivity, allows a professional level of management and, consequently, maximizes positive results.
Since the creation of Ynnov, in 2010, the team’s main concern is the constant improvement of the software, to follow all the important developments in the evolution of the tourist market, as well as the main needs of its customers.
Therefore, today Ynnov guarantees maximum efficiency in the management of all aspects of the accommodation business.
Features:
The Ynnov software includes a powerful Channel Manager, which synchronizes with the main distribution channels, and a Property Management System, which allows customers to centrally manage all aspects of reservations and accommodation.
This also includes:
Communications to the SEF.
Emails and text messages.
Cleaning service
Maintenance
Online check-ins
Finance
INE/SREA reports, guest data, tourist taxes, digital keys, notifications and alerts, various automation mechanisms, staff, owners’ portal, and statistics.
With the additional certified invoicing software, YnnovFAT, invoicing is as fast and easy as a single click.
The Ynnov mobile application, available for iOSand Android systems, allows customers to always follow the daily activities of their business, no matter where they are.
Whether it’s check-ins and check-outs, cleaning, new bookings or other important aspects, it’s all in the app.
Ynnov also allows accommodation owners and managers to easily develop a personalized and attractive website to directly promote their brand/accommodation and attract direct bookings, not tied to distribution channel fees.
The web design is customizable, with a modern design, intuitive use, and full compatibility with mobile devices.
Editing multi-language content is easily done directly in the PMS software.
Having your own direct sales channel allows owners and managers to increase customer loyalty as well as direct bookings.
For those who already have a website, Ynnov also has a solution, a booking platform that can be connected to any website or used on social networks.
Equally important, is being able to diversify your income.
And start upselling to your guests is the perfect excuse, here is how you can do this:
Our partner CHEKIN has just launched a new feature to sell experiences and more. Check it all here.
Revolutionize the experience of your guests, increase the benefits of each reservation, get better reviews and get more direct reservations.
With Chekin newest feature, you can upsell things like an early check-in on your property.
Similarly, other things such as luggage storage when guests check out can be arranged to check our partner LUGGIT APP.
Not only luggage but also if you want to sell breakfast items or skies rental? Check out BNSELLIT.
Housekeeping Platforms
Ultimately, HOUSEKEEPING platforms are our favorite as we are the masters of this subject.
Therefore check all the details about the platforms we are comparing today:
DOINN vs VRscheduler vs Breezeway
What is Doinn?
Doinn connects top cleaning and linen rental companies with years of experience to property managers.
As a result, helps to standardize processes for alternative accommodation.
A look into how Doinn platform
Property managers, BnB’s, hotels, and property owners in general, can have a platform to order services based on their booking calendars.
Buyers can follow up on the services performed in their properties through our app.
Doinn has been on the market since 2015 not only offering cleaning services but also: Linen rental, Laundry, Amenities, Deep cleaning, Move-in and move out services, Check-in, and Check out agents.
Now Doinn is available in 11 countries and more than 600 cities.
Doinn is more likely used by property managers and B2B rental management companies, Colivings, and other types of alternative accommodation providers.
What is VRscheduler?
In this case, VRscheduler offers operations and housekeeping Management for 10-100+ vacation rental, short-term and long-term properties.
VRScheduler is a platform for scheduling and tracking cleaners, inspectors, and maintenance staff.
VRScheduler works with your booking software to improve workflow. Save time, optimize labor and minimize costly mistakes.
VRScheduler allows different vendors to update the system and streamline employee task programming as needed.
Drag and drop a scheduling calendar for vendors such as cleaning companies, security companies, hot tub service companies, and so on.
Most likely used by: rental owners and management companies who manage teams and outsourcing services.
What is Breezeway?
Breezeway’s property operations platform helps coordinate, communicate, and verify detailed work at properties, and delivers the best service experience to guests and homeowners.
Combining deep learning technology, robust property data, smart messaging, and mobile-first task management.
Breezeway is bringing service optimization to the property management space.
Their target markets include vacation rental managers, short-term rental operators, hotels & hostels, resorts, cleaning/maintenance services, & residential managers.
Comparison chart:
We have built this chart in order for you to be the judge in terms of the needs and tech of what you need.
Tourism in 2022. How did you imagine it? We bet, nothing like what we’ve experienced the past two years.
Many things have changed and that is precisely what has been discussed lately.
Doinn has been present at two key events recently: The travel innovation summit and FITUR.
We tell you a little about the events:
The travel innovation summit is a private event organized by a group of investors: Top Seed Lab.
With TOP characters in the world of tourism: Viajes el corte Inglés, Mélia, UNWTO and many others.
Discussing tourism trends and separating them from simple passing occurrences. Was the main subject of the event.
The themes that will really arise in the different tourism subsectors.
Travel innovation summit madrid
In the case of FITUR, surely you already know about this great event.
FITUR is a world-class event that has positioned itself as a tool for tourism. Its mission is to contribute to the recovery of tourism and grow the sector.
That’s exactly why we thought it important to write and discuss with you the trends, learnings and many interesting facts happening in tourism today.
It is important to highlight that these topics have been commented on in both events, which is why they’ve been selected for this article.
Sure there are many more things happening in this world but without a doubt, the topics that we deal with today here will continue to give something to talk about.
Let’s begin!
The digital transformation has no turning back
If there is something in which both events agree, it is that digitization in tourism will not go anywhere.
The pandemic has pushed all industries towards digital.
Terms like: smart tourism, smart travel, smart cities, are just a few that are constantly being heard.
And as a consequence of the pandemic, there was a great explosion of tourism towards the digital world.
And we are not just talking about using social networks or creating a website.
If not how new disruptive business models are transforming tourism for the future.
Below 3 examples of new businesses that are digital, disruptive, and innovative:
Can you imagine a completely digital luxury hotel? It is CitizenM’s proposal, you make the reservation online, check-in/check-out kiosks, and without seeing a person. Approaching a more modern and young traveler.
Borders are still closed in half the world. But in Atlanta with illuminarium you can visit amazing places in the world in its immersive experience.
Automation in hotels. Some hotels already turn off lights and regulate temperatures through devices and even welcoming robots read everything in this article.
If these 3 examples show us anything, it is that traditional tourism models will have to work to incorporate new verticals.
Because tourism has changed forever.
The opportunity of rural tourism
Another reality that was a consequence of the pandemic.
The main reason is almost obvious, after lockdowns we all want to reconnect with nature and be away from our noisy cities.
The problem?
These rural areas were not ready for change.
But it happened. And as a global phenomenon: the United States, China, France, Spain, and many more.
They have seen the numbers in their rural areas grow and now the job is to improve the user experience.
These are some of the actions for rural areas:
“Make my move” is an online platform where communities offer work and a rural area to live for nomads.
“A nomadic island” is Madeira’s proposal offering travelers a free community workspace, Wi-Fi, and exclusive events every day at the John dos Passos centre.
The digital nomads are here to stay
If you remember, a few months ago we told you exactly this in our article about digital nomads.
According to this study, there are 4.8 million people who consider themselves nomads in the world.
And surely the figure will continue to increase, which is why many countries are preparing to offer advantages to this type of traveler.
Because not everyone wants to go to an island in Thailand 😉
In fact, rural tourism in some areas is preparing to also become a destination for teleworking and not just ecotourism.
These are some of the things that are happening in relation to digital nomads:
Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb said on Twitter that he would live in Airbnb this year to try the “nomad” experience first hand.
Do you want a discount on your long stays? Use stayforlong and get a property that suits your needs.
Can you imagine 99% of public services online 24/7? This is possible in Tallinn, Estonia. It was named one of the best cities for remote work and with a very fast and cheap visa process.
New technologies in tourism
Smart cities are already here and they are not new.
But what can we expect from the future?
Based on the lectures and discussions of some of the experts at these events. We tell you some very interesting ones:
Tourism and the metaverse
Although the video of Iceland seems funny to us, the reality is that we are increasingly moving towards a world in virtual reality.
And perhaps the day will come when the metaverse will also come to our decisions about the vacations or properties that we are going to rent.
Beautiful, colorful, vibrant Lisbon.. Portugal’s Capital City.
With a population of just over 500,000 and a whopping 3 million visitors per year, it’s no wonder that you want to drop by!
Lisbon is a top tourist hotspot and a wonderful, as well as affordable holiday location.
Overlooking nostalgic coastal views and monuments steeped in history.
Lisbon is the perfect place to explore, unwind and relax.
Stick with us here at Stasher, the best option for luggage storage in Lisbon, to learn more about what in the world to do in a city where there is so much available at your fingertips!
You know how the saying goes, the quickest way to anyone’s heart, is through their stomach!
We figured the best way to start your Lisbon experience is through taste, and what better food is there to encompass all that Lisbon has to offer if not its very own Pastel de Nata (custard tart).
Let’s circle back to the 19th century for a moment, to the West of Lisbon at Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, where the history of the Pastel de Nata began.
Believe it or not some monks found themselves with too many leftover egg yolks and decided to get creative!
Today, we thank them for the beloved national treasure that is this pastry.
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Portuguese cuisine at the Compadre School of Cooking located at Number 14, Rua Heliodoro Salgado.
Here you can learn to make your very own authentic Pastel de Nata, so that the next time you crave a piece of Portugal, you’ll only have to travel to your kitchen.
Since we are on the topic of great Portuguese food, we recommend that you head over to somewhere like Clube de Fado to delight in some more of the country’s delicacies.
But be warned, the taste bud tickler, for once, is not the star of the show. No no, that spot is reserved for Fado.
This emotive genre of music originated in the 1820s in Lisbon, but it is believed to have much earlier and deeper origins.
Fado is often linked to cafes, restaurants and is known for its eerie, melancholic melodies not to mention its beautifully profound nature, musically and lyrically.
Feira da Ladra, roughly translated to ‘’The Market of Thieves‘’, is one of Lisbon’s oldest markets.
Dating back to the 12th century, this market, once displaying random, unwanted second-hand items for sale (hence the name), has grown and evolved into what it is today.
A place where you can find clothes, books, handmade/carved goodies, countless antiques carrying the history of Portugal in their shine, and definitely some souvenirs that you can take home to your loved ones.
So put on your best adventurer’s hat, make your way down to Campo de Santa Clara and swerve through the lively Feira da Ladra, haggling to your heart’s content.
Learn more about the history of the famous Lisbon Flea Market here.
If you’re looking to learn more about Portuguese culture and you also happen to be a fan of art, look no further than the Museu do Azulejo, also known as The National Tile Museum.
The Museu Nacional do Azulejo, founded by Queen D. Leonor in 1509, is located in R. Me. Deus 4, 1900-312, Lisbon, and it is dedicated to the azulejo, the traditional tilework of Portugal.
The word Azulejo means ‘’polished stone’’, but I don’t think that that description quite represents the meaning of the tile to the Portuguese people.
Tiles trace as far back as the 13th century and were initially used to protect the walls of wetter areas such as bathrooms and kitchens from dampness/mould, but they became a common expression of Portuguese culture and art in the 15th century.
The museum features, but is not limited to, a wide range of decorative ceramic tiles, in various colours and made of many different materials, beautifully depicting the history of the Portuguese Empire from as far back as the 15th century, right up until the present day.
So you’ve visited one of Lisbon’s most historically rich locations, learned as much as you can about Portugal, got lost in all it’s astonishing swirls and patterns and now you’re wondering, ‘what do I do next?’.
Well it only stands to reason that, since you’ve spent so much time admiring the azulejo, you should make one yourself!
Yes, you can totally do that, and at the Museum no less! So remember, when you get through the exhibition and explore till you’ve had your fill, sign up to the workshop the Museum offers, and jump into the hands-on experience of creating the traditional ceramic tile.
Lucky for you, all of that inspiration should still be whizzing around in your brain, so have fun and get creative. No pressure!
The first Jesuit church in Portugal and one of the only buildings to survive the devastating earthquake of 1755 nearly untouched, it is a wonder to explore.
With breathtaking sacred art, a dazzling marble and gold interior, and featuring our beloved traditional tile work, the astoundingly clever mannerist and baroque architecture, (work of Filippo Terzi, royal architect of Filipe II of Portugal), is sure to draw you into its grasp.
The São Roque Museum, which you may also be interested in surveying, is stationed right next to the church.
Free guided tours are offered at 3pm Thursday to Sunday if you want to learn more about the church’s past, but you are also welcome to have a browse at your own pace.
Although we definitely recommend making the most of the tours, given that the story of this building is astonishing, (and if we tried to explain it all to you in this blog alone, we would be here for the entirety of your holiday).
Tram 28 follows the most famous journey in Portugal.
This particular tram has been around since 1914, when horse-drawn carriages still carried Lisbon’s locals through its winding streets and over the seven hills that the city was built on.
The tram travels through the centre of the city and, similarly to a sightseeing bus, it passes through older areas of the city, allowing tourists (and locals) to appreciate its original architecture, newly built areas for the modern heads, as well as many of Lisbon’s attractions.
Learn more about the Tram 28 route as well as how to purchase tickets here.
We recommend that you get a day pass for the tram, it costs between €6-€7 and lasts for 24 hours.
Tram 28 has over 30 stops on its path, so it may take you a while to get to the end of the line.
But if you have some time while in Lisbon, be sure to jump on this journey to the past, or at least as close to the past as you can get.
If you love nature and take pleasure in seeing animals thrive in their natural habitat, then this is the activity for you!
You will depart from the Lisbon coast on a speedboat, travel over the Tagus River, pass under the famous ‘25 de Abril’ suspension bridge and start your venture into the ocean.
You will also be able to see many of Lisbon’s amazing monuments along the way.
The goal is, of course, catch sight of some dolphins up close, but with the help of a marine biologist that will be on board, if you are lucky enough, you may encounter various other species of marine wildlife on your travels.
These include but are not limited to, jellyfish, sharks, turtles and much more! Note that the weather can sometimes affect this activity.
Head over toAirbnb Experiences to book this wondrous, you guessed it, experience!
The last activity, one of the most popular in Portugal, and certainly the hardest to beat, is a good old beach day.
Because if there’s one thing that holiday goers, backpackers, locals and travellers alike can all agree on.
It’s that lazily rolling around in golden sand or somersaulting into the misty deep blue, are hands down some of the absolute most satisfying ways to spend your holiday.
So, search for luggage storage in Lisbon and then hop on a bus, a car or a broomstick.. (we don’t judge) and make your way to one of these beautiful beaches to appreciate what the world has to offer.
Oh and since we love you so much, check out the list of beaches below, accessible by public transport from central Lisbon along with some other beaches that are a short drive away.
Don’t say we don’t do anything for you! 😉
Beaches accessible by transport:
Praia de Carcavelos
Praia da Conceição
Costa da Caparica
Praia de Santo Amaro de Oeiras
Beaches accessible by car:
The Serra da Arrabida
Praia do Guincho
Lagoa de Albufeira
Fonte da Telha
Stasher owned photo
We give a special thanks toStasher team, for giving top notch travel tips so you can savour every moment of your adventures.
We hope that this blog has done the trick!
Now that you have all of the information needed to make your trip to Lisbon a success, use it wisely. Enjoy!
About doinn:
Doinn provides top cleaning, laundry services and linen rental all through our software platform.
Also how you can adapt your rental and why you should do this.
The main reason to understand digital nomads is most of them travel when they work.
And, of course in the future, they will be a very important piece of the pie in the market.
So you need to be ready since yesterday!
Always Connected
It might sound obvious but this is one of the major problems of the digital nomads when finding a property to rent.
You can make one of these tricks to enhance your internet and have this one covered.
Change the location of your router, sometimes if this device is store away somewhere in the room something can interfere with the signal. Move it to a tall place without any disturbances such as tv, radios, etc.
Check if there is anybody stuck to your network, remember you can have a guest user predefined for your guests and then check periodically for any intruders.
If your house is too big or has different floors you can always add a wifi repeater to enhance the signal.
These are just a couple of things to get your rental ready for the digital nomads needs connections-wise.
If you have check social media the past year for sure you saw a bunch of pictures in which people renovated spaces to convert them into home offices.
Well if you do not have it on your property even if it’s a vacation rental, you should adopt one little space to it. Check out these examples.
A desk and a chair are vital even if it is not big but the key here is to make a space even if it’s little but with comfort for concentration.
Get a laptop stand! Your guests will love it as this is a must and a lot of people even if they are not digital nomads are still working remotely!
Use dead spaces in your apartment it can be within the bedroom or maybe below a staircase there are a lot of creative ways to make this office desk amazing!
You can always go to Pinterestand get more inspiration on the matter 😉
Another important thing for these guests is maintaining their work-life balance there are actual studies that indicate they work more than older generations.
This might sound contradictory but the reality is if they work more than 40 hours per week their free time is sacred!
Experiences are revolutionizing the way users are sharing with other people, so here are some you can add:
Partner with local businesses to offer your users discounts and offer them a really nice experience with the locals. They would love it!
Make a local guide itinerary! Help them understand how your city works and how they can enjoy it so much more!
You can always add any extras to your service like rent a bicycle or ski equipment you can do it by creating a marketplace check it here.
An interesting fact is that the owner or rental manager can be the same owner of the experience so you can uplift your revenue a bit with this!
Stay green
For this audience staying green all the time is a big fact!
So keep getting some recycling bins as most of these users want to keep their environmental practices while staying at any other property.
They appreciate products that are chemical-free/plant-based because they are better for the planet and also can be better for people who suffer from skin conditions and allergies.
Do you happen to have any plants? They make the rental way more “home-like” and they are incredible to boost up your decor on any room.
Another important thing is to add devices that are “energy efficient” LED bulbs, LED lamps, electrical power strips with on/off switches.
And last but not least take advantage of this to talk the guest through all of the efforts you make to be greener 💚
Guests or tenants would love it and even recommend your lodging to their friends so think about this when following all of the below steps.
We hope this was useful and you will be ready for your future digital nomads and millennials guests 😉
About Doinn:
Doinn is the key to transforming your rental management operations.
Schedule, manage, and follow up your services all in one place.
Reduce the time and costs associated with managing properties while offering renters a seamless experience across their entire rental journey.
The cleaning staff, are the true soul of the operations of this industry, they have been undervalued, and not only in terms of economic compensation.
Anyone who has been involved with the industry and the cleaning part understands the great challenge that this represents.
Doinn allows cleaning companies to have a tool that doesn’t just connect them to new property managers.
But they also receive a tool to manage their human resources. How?
Our software has integrated modules to include each of the cleaning staff, which contributes to monitoring each team member.
By registering with Doinn, cleaning companies receive continuous training and follow-up during services.
This allows us to always guarantee our property managers the HIGH level of the services they buy.
Motivating teams
Thanks to our team and employees module, it is possible to monitor each cleaning carried out by the employee where it can be used to do small motivational exercises, for example:
An internal campaign of who is the cleaner with the most services.
Provide compensation for the number of services.
Introduce a performance measurement system.
Or any other type of compensation that can motivate teams especially after the post-pandemic situation.
For anyone familiar with the hospitality industry and cleaning work, it is not difficult to understand that providing the proper motivation is a huge challenge when managing a cleaning crew.
That’s why small gestures, as long as they are sincere, can go a long way toward making staff feel appreciated and respected.
Continuous innovation on teams
Another great way to motivate teams is by teaching them new things.
Sounds silly but training cleaners to use the Doinn platform is a great way to introduce the team to the age of digitization.
Thanks to Doinn you not only receive software but you will also have access to our mobile app.
With the Doinn vendor operations app, cleaners can exercise their voice by giving feedback on their services and uploading supporting photos.
From being able to start and end services from the app to communicating with property managers to report on situations in the properties.
Understanding a platform like Doinn’s allows you to develop the skills of your staff.
Not to mention that giving them their own voice when communicating with the customers is a way to empower them.
As you can see, at Doinn we strive to become an ally for the economic development of local cleaning companies.
From Madrid to Malaga, from Lisbon to Sintra, from Los Angeles to New York, Doinn’s vision is to become a strategic partner for suppliers and consequently, for customers.
We are very excited to share with you all the space we share thanks to Elaine Watts she organized this amazing event called: Short stay virtual summit.
Elaine is the host of an amazing podcast in which you can learn how to start and succeed with your rental vacation properties. See more about HLS podcast here.
This is the 2nd year in a row, Elaine gathers more than 25 speakers to discuss the short-term rental industry giving notes and tactics on how to grow your business!
Now we leave you now with the amazing conversation they’ve had on the summit.
Elaine: Firstly tell us a bit about you and your background and a brief overview of what Doinn does
Noelia: I fell in love with our industry in 2013 during a round-the-world trip with my family, including 2 babies. It was an amazing experience to be able to stay in those “peer to peer” properties, BUT we did not always felt safe.
I always say that cleaning is a very personal thing and what means clean for me, may not mean the same for you. But we all grow up with the cleaning standards of the hotels and if people feel safe there, I thought it´d be handy to be able to get the same cleaning and linen rental providers they have.
Back from our trip I reached those companies and asked them what they needed to be able to work in our industry and we have basically been 6 years making tech for this to happen, helping local providers to become more efficient, grow their business, and making sure they follow the right standards operating procedures and protocols.
Nowadays we also work with cleaning companies that were born in and for our industry as long as they have a top-quality proof of record
Since then we feel we have done many guests feel safe, and definitely many property managers and property owners happy in almost 600 cities across USA, Mexico, Dominican Republic, UK, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal.
Elaine: Cleanliness has always been a top priority in our industry but now even more so – what changes have you seen in cleaning protocols in this new era?
Noelia: Since Covid hit, it seems our value proposition makes more sense than ever, cleaning and disinfection mean safety, it always meant it. Following a protocol or a checklist is definitely better than nothing, but cleaning is a profession, professionals bring safety in every aspect of hosting (electricity, engineers, architects, and definitely, cleaning)
For a professional cleaning company, there is not such a thing as new protocols, there were other viruses before covid19 and for professional cleaners, disinfecting or killing the germs was and is the whole point for them, like a uber drive to know how to drive a car
What has changed, like for any business, is the use of the masks and the social distance, they were already aware of the risks of shaking the dirty linen or not washing their hands.
Elaine: As someone wanting to build trust with future guests, how would advise someone new to the industry to get started with their own cleaning protocols.
Noelia: They can take the cleaning protocols from our webpage if they want, we are happy to share it and we have in fact share it with a couple of the OTAs. What is hard about cleaners is not the protocols, there are millions of videos on youtube. The hardest part is the recruitment process, to keep them motivated and to avoid the high HR rotation.
When clients tell me how much they per service to their cleaners, most of the time they don´t take into consideration how much time they spend recruiting, training, supervising, and motivating them and how much money that cost to the company
We´ve selected and onboarded cleaning companies that are in business, working for hotels for more than 25 years, I´m sure they much better than most of us recruiting, training, supervising, and motivating their employees to retain the talent and to reach the expectations.
Elaine: Something I hear a lot is that there’s a communication struggle with owners getting their cleaning team to clean to their standards needed – many feel as though they are constantly having to check up and chase after their cleaning teams – do you have any advice on how to communicate the standards required to ensure the property and guests are cared for to the top standards we need to present in our industry?
Noelia: Our technology helps to optimize processes, reports, and tasks to Property managers and Cleaning companies so they can be more competitive, reduce management costs and manage more clients.
But Doinn is not just technology, we have a dedicated team supervising that cleaning companies are beyond expectations, motivating them to keep their good work and making the industry give them the attention and respect they deserve.
That human touch on top of the technology (not just software or bots) in what allows us to raise the hospitality standards.
Property managers don´t need to have an in-house operations manageranymore because our team and our tech, cover that part. We want them to take every single opportunity to manage a property in any location without the need of having a local team there and with the guarantee of having professional and certified cleaning and linen services with us. Our mission is to get their boots on the ground.
Elaine: How important is technology in assisting with ensuring cleans is up to standard and sharing and keeping top standards with cleaning teams?
Noelia: Like in any other business, there has to be a balance between tech and talent. I´m not a CEO because I use Slack but because of my skills and experience. Slack helps me to be more efficient, to work remotely, and asynchronous what is also very important, but tech tools are not the most important thing for someone that is most of the time with their hands busy and wet.
Elaine: How is it best to communicate the protocols you have in place when building trust with your potential guests moving forwards – website, social media, OTA listing sites?
Noelia: For the pre-sales stage: everywhere! And if the cleaning is done by a well-known cleaning company, talk about that to show how concerned you are about a professional cleaning
Once the guests get to the property, what we do is to seal the door in the inside part as proof that no one got into that space after the cleaners disinfected it.
In the sticker we use to seal the door, there is a QR code where guests can read about the protocols that were followed in several languages, and that makes them feel safe.
What I don´t recommend is to have a big picture with the virus in the entrance hall of the vacation home, Covid19 is definitely the last thing we want to get remember every time we get into the property we chose for our holidays.
Elaine:What are you seeing in terms of bookings for Short Term Accommodations at the moment, what trends have you seen?
Noelia: What we notice is that many of our urban property managers, started managing properties remotely in leisure areas, it probably saved many of their businesses and open them to many new opportunities. At the end of the day, many property investors live in those urban areas so they can meet them and create trust.
The second trend would be the preference for multiunits versus apartments spread out the city, and some office building will be transformed into these kinds of apart-hotels, due to the working remotely trend
Third but not least, the consolidation of a few brands, which would be a challenge for the OTAs.
Elaine: Final words of advice for anyone wanting to maintain top cleaning standards in their accommodation business?
Noelia: I´d give them the same advice that a property manager would give to a property owner: get as professional as you can in every part of the business, paying less most of the time doesn’t help to save money.
Elaine: Where do you see the future of our industry heading?
Noelia: I´ve always seen the OTA´s as Prop-tech companies and not as tourism companies. If you take it from that, there are so many things they could take advantage of what they already have: pictures, videos, annual revenue…they started with mid
That’s a wrap folks! This interview was recorded on audio & video on zoom recording if you want to hear it, go here.
Do not lose more about the short stay virtual summit enroll for the following day’s talks here!
Our story: Rentals united and Doinn more than an integration
I´m really having fun making these interviews to the people that have been important to me and to Doinn in the different stages of this startup journey
Vanessa de Souza Lage is the kind of person that is generous by nature and generosity always get back to you, especially in our industry where is more than clear that working together make us stronger and all the vendors should work as a team to bring value to the property managers and to our beloved industry.
From day one, Vanessa made me feel part of her life, her/our industry, and even her stage, as she is the pioneer of the #tieonstage movement, promoting women as speakers in the vacation rental industry events
Vanessa is also a serial entrepreneur, well known in our industry for founding the channel manager Rentals United and Vrtech
Rentals United was one of the first integrations at Doinn, and I have presented in several Vrtech events and several cities
I´ve been chasing this busy-bee for months to make this interview. I really hope you enjoy this post as much I am having fun while making it!
Noelia: First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID-19 times?
Vanessa: We’re doing perfectly fine, thanks for asking! It’s amazing how people can adapt! Also we’re lucky to be in Barcelona, the lockdown period wasn’t as tough or as long as others… Restaurants have been opened and the 10pm curfew is actually great when you work as much as I do 🙂
Noelia: You help to promote startups for vacation rentals in Vrtech and you have founded several startups. Entrepreneurs are born or made?
Vanessa: Entrepreneurs are born but successful ones are made!
I’ve wanted to be an entrepreneur since childhood, always coming up with new business ideas! The first one: importing Dulce de Leche from Argentina to France as I loved it and it wasn’t available in French supermarkets then. I actually got my sister who lived in Argentina to send tubs over but instead of selling them I gave them away to my friends : ) So yeah, I think that the entrepreneurial drive is something you’re born with but turning your ideas into a successful business is something you learn.
As an entrepreneur I have struggled a lot, many times going down to my last 5 euros. I wish I had looked for mentors: so many mistakes could have been avoided! Rentals United is my 5th business and I’m still learning everyday. This is the great thing about being an entrepreneur… you always need to grow with the times, the circumstances, the market shifts!
Noelia: How the idea of founding Rentals United came up and what problem is currently solving?
Vanessa: Quite honestly Rentals United was born because my previous business was failing. And not just mine, the ones of our competitors too. We were medium-sized OTAs focused on vacation rentals and with the rise of Airbnb, VRBO and booking.com we couldn’t make the marketing dollar work anymore. Plus we had a supply/demand problem: we were all european OTAs but with different markets strengths. So we thought to exchange inventory and for that we needed a distribution software.
Rentals United was created for ourselves and as bookings grew we opened it to other channels: the beauty was that we could still make our commission but let VRBO, Airbnb, Bookings pay for the B2C traffic. Our first investor in 2014 saw the potential and by 2015 we left our agencies and became full time Rentals United.
Our company solves the supply and demand aspect of the vacation rental industry. We source professional property managers and offer them to advertise their properties on a large number of OTAs, both global and niche. Managers get more bookings, OTAs get more rentals to sell. Everyone wins.
Noelia: Tourism has been highly affected by the pandemic, but is the vacation rental industry becoming stronger or weaker of this?
Vanessa: The growth of the industry has just been put on hold for a year, just like every other hospitality vertical. Our growth has been exponential in the last ten years and every year we’re getting more professional, better organised, attracting more demographics… there’s no reason why we wouldn’t continue to grow at a rapid pace.
Noelia: In terms of product, is there any feature that your users are requesting more than before since Covid hit?
Vanessa: We had quite a lot of requests for mid-term (30+ days) channels last year which we duly implemented. Currently we see a big surge in leisure bookings so we’re hunting for outdoor-type inventory and already signed contracts with major glamping and camping channels.
Managers have always requested that we add a book direct channel feature to our software and we’re happy to now be launching a wordpress template which can be used with our Google vacation rental connection.
Noelia: You understood Doinn´s added value to the market from day one, when we could just provide services in Lisbon and Barcelona. From your perspective, the fact than Doinn is now available in more than 600 cities is really important to help property managers to grow or most of them have a city strategy?
Vanessa: 600 cities! Wow! Your astronomical growth is the testimony that I had the right hunch about your company when we first met! Housekeeping is very hard to scale. All the large property managers I meet always tells me that this is one of the major challenges to overcome when you grow. Your solution is for forwarding-thinking managers, it’s that one entry that’s going to make the balance sheet strong! Go DoInn!
Noelia: Thank you so much for this, Vanessa! I definitely recommend all those startups of the vacation rental industry to apply to win to the 2021 Vrtech award here and ….
