As the Democratic masses and protestors descend on Denver it looks like some locals are surprised by the chaos while others are taking it in stride. A few articles from the local news stations give varying accounts of the early activity. 9News ran a story yesterday capturing some great local comments as the hysteria is just underway. Channel 4 had their take and Channel 7 reported on the protesters who prefer to spend the night.
I recently came across a disturbing scam. In a vacation rental forum a gentleman posted this:
Beware of Rick Freeman advertising vacation rentals in NY with phone number 646-873-9656. The
real owner of that property has released this statement “I live in
Manhattan and have had a steady stream of tourists arrive at my door,
luggage in hand, expecting me to give them the keys to my home.”
This alleged criminal goes by the names of Rick Freeman and Rick Anderson,
but I’m sure he has other aliases — has been advertising my home on
the Internet and scamming people for thousands of dollars. DO NOT PAY
FOR A VACATION RENTALS VIA WESTERN UNION OR MONEY-GRAM!!! And remember,
if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
That post was followed by comment where one person confessed they were scammed by the infamous Rick Freeman last December.
This is obviously an extreme example of what can go wrong when you rent a vacation home. That’s why The Society partners with only the best of the best property managers and agencies. We make sure that not only the home exists, but the home is wonderful.
In a recent news release, TIA and YPartnership published findings on ‘Home-Based’ vacations (aka “staycations”). They found 14% of American leisure travelers took a staycation in the past 6 months and 9% expect to in the next 6 months. I’d guess the slight drop is due to the fact summer is over and kids are heading back to school. But there were some other insights into what is driving staycations and what they are doing…
In a surprising revelation, among those adults planning to take a home-based vacation during the next six months fully one out of five (22 percent, or 5.1 million adults) expects to stay in a local hotel, motel or resort at least one night on their “staycation.” This suggests that many Americans still plan to “get away” even if their destination is local. Lodging establishments and other tourism-related businesses will clearly benefit from these unexpected and previously-unreported expenditures.
“People taking ‘staycations’ are not necessarily entertaining themselves at home,” said Roger Dow, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Travel Industry Association. “On the contrary, many are participating in travel-related activities that generate significant revenues for restaurants, attractions, theme parks, as well as hotels and resorts.”
I have nothing against local motels and hotels, and they are perfect for many types of travel; however, if you’re going to take off for a week (or even a 3 day weekend), it’s worth checking out a vacation rental. Enjoy the benefits of having private space, a kitchen, a dinning room and more. Not to mention, a vacation rental is typically less expensive per head than any hotel.
Published August 7, 2008, an article featured in the Great Homes and Destinations section of the New York Times featured one of The Society’s most esteemed Luxe Alliance partners. Peak Properties, Inc., the premier provider of luxury vacation rentals and services in Vail, CO and host of our open house in late July was spotlighted for their design efforts as they prepare for a busy winter ski season.
Joseph Sobin, marketing and media relations manager at Peak Properties, explains how eco-friendly design is becoming a large draw for luxury rentals in Vail.
Most other companies talk about fine linens and Viking stoves, and the reality is these are standard in luxe homes. We are trying to also push the green aspect of the home and the decor.
Peak Properties is setting a standard that we appreciate so much from our partners. They are rewriting their house descriptions to include green details and add another layer of value for travelers to appreciate.
Nicely done, Peak, and we encourage all of our partners on The Society to refine their information, take one step further and find value adds that can deliver truly exceptional vacation experiences.
Read the full article here, and gain some insightful tips to make your rentals stand out in an increasingly crowded market…(Step 1 is having your rentals showcased on The Society, of course!)
For travelers considering a trip that is somewhat out-of-the-norm, EthicalTraveler.org has released its list of the 10 Best Ethical Destinations for 2008. Ethical travel is a term given to travel that is thought to “support international goodwill and promote cross-cultural understanding,” and there are many developing countries that are offering superb vacation experiences and who have made wonderful strides for environmental protection, social welfare and human rights in their efforts to draw in tourists.
Ethical Traveler encourages people to “step off the beaten path” and consider some of these fantastic locations for their next vacations:
The highest rated Ethical destination is undoubtedly Costa Rica. With “a very high level of overall environmental health, excellent water resources, biodiversity, air quality, sustainable energy, civil liberties, and the highest rated score in the Freedom in the World 2007 report,” Costa Rica is a leader in sustainable tourism.
The Society continues to support sustainable and ethical travel, and we will continue to bring you viable vacation rental options to plan your own ethical trip. Check out The Society’s hand-selected vacation rentals in Costa Rica for your next vacation.
As a recent Forbes.com article explains, the offering of travel packages through charity auctions in not a new trend.
For travelers, it is such an excellent way to take a trip and give something back at the same time. For businesses it is an opportunity to “wrap their brand in a halo,” as Kelly Fiore, Founder and CEO of CharityFolks.com put it.
For property managers in the vacation rental industry, it may be worth considering, as there is the potential for many benefits as well.
* Doing a Greater Good
* Exposure to Targeted Audiences
* Appealing to Trusted Guests
Contact The Society for help if you are interested in donating some time at your vacation homes.
The Society would love to hear from travelers and property managers alike. Submit a comment, and leave us your thoughts on charity travel packages.
With the DNC arriving in Denver in a few weeks, just a quick reminder to all of you Colorado residents to take advantage of our promotion and book your vacation home today! Thanks to News2 in Denver, specifically Gina Selby and Vida Urbonas for permitting us to promote our deal on thier morning show! As a reminder, we’re offering a 10% discount and a $50 gas card for those who book a home through The Society and stay between August 21 and 28th with our participating Colorado property managers. Register today and book to escape the crowds!
It is to no surprise that Denver is bracing for large crowds this August. There are mixed feelings on the impact the DNC will have on the city, but there is no doubt that the streets will be packed. Last week
in the Denver Business Journal Noelle Leavitt wrote an article “Get out of town.” There are several Colorado companies, ourselves included, looking to provide alternatives for Denver metro area residents.
Whether you are a family wanting to escape or a group of girls/guys that want to get out of town, TheSociety.com has options for you. Search through our listings (www.thesociety.com/search) or just send us an inquiry with your travel desires (info@thesociety.com).
Press RSS feed.
In a recent news release, TIA and YPartnership published findings on ‘Home-Based’ vacations (aka “staycations”). They found 14% of American leisure travelers took a staycation in the past 6 months and 9% expect to in the next 6 months. I’d guess the slight drop is due to the fact summer is over and kids are heading back to school. But there were some other insights into what is driving staycations and what they are doing…
