Seasonalise your holiday pad
If you have a ski or winter sun holiday property to rent out, seasonalising the marketing of your pad can really help to appeal to holidaymakers at different times of year - so get your skates on and make the most of your advertising to attract the last minute bookings...
Owners of ski and winter sun holiday homes benefit most at this time of year from last minute bookings - while those with homes in more traditional holiday locations are starting to think about the 2010 summer season in preparation for the January bookings rush.
Whichever category owners fall in to, there is a certain need to ‘seasonalise' the marketing of their holiday home to appeal to holidaymakers at different times of year.
Holidaylettings.co.uk has created some top tips for ‘seasonalising' holiday homes and their marketing with the winter months in mind:
Move wintery photos to above your summer images- think snow covered landscapes, log fires and steaming cups of cocoa
Use the photo captions to reinforce the seasonality and help people imagine a cosy winter break
Highlight features such as hot tubs, open fires, sofas you can curl up on and luxurious baths you can sink into
Consider offering special winter deals to entice guests
If you'd rather not worry about changeovers the whole year round, think about taking a long let and promoting this option on your advert
Destinations in the spotlight at this time of year
Canary Islands
Seventy-one per cent increase in enquiries for the Canary Islands year on year - as more people cut back on long haul flights, the guaranteed sunshine of the Canaries and the low-cost carriers that will take you there ensure the Canaries continue to supply return on investment for second home owners.
South Africa
2010 World Cup could Change the fortunes for South Africa home owners- according to FIFA there is an approximate shortfall of 18,000 rooms for fans attending next summer's tournament. This is a fantastic opportunity for owners of South Africa second homes to realise some residual value in their holiday property. Premium accommodation prices can also be guaranteed, with booking early advised to secure the best prices.
Ski hotspots
Not all, but many, skiers are looking to carve narrower budgets this year while still experiencing fantastic powder. The French, Swiss and Austrian Alps are having to compete more than ever with the more economically priced lifts and accommodation in Bulgaria, Slovenia, Andorra and Poland.
Bulgaria
Even the most experienced skiers should enjoy the slopes in Bulgaria, many have long winding runs with much variance of difficulty and the steeper slopes and off-piste are popular with boarders. The après is as lively as anywhere else but the bill will be undoubtedly cheaper.
Other Eastern European destinations such as Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania and Montenegro are also benefitting from those happy to expand their resort experience and looking to tighten the purse strings.
Picture by Jess&Peter