March 29th, 2010 by Ashley
October 21st, 2009 by Joseph
 Hawaii has come through the recession better than mant destinations. Tourism numbers held steady this past spring as many visitors who had considered Mexico revised their vacation plans and traveled to Hawaii. While prices have dropped and deals are available, the influx of Asian clients due to the loss of value of the US Dollar is propping up the Hawaiian tourism economy. The best deals are flat and estate rentals on the smaller, less popular islands away from the major resort enclaves. We suggest contacting our partners at Ali’i Resorts on Maui. From now until December 14, 2009, the 3rd night is free on select properties, new bookings only, not valid with other promotions, discounts or offers.
October 6th, 2009 by Joseph
 As vacation home rental managers, we all face a unique set of challenges on a daily basis from the individuality of our inventory to competition from VRBOs to the unprecedented increase in supply and decrease in demand concerning vacation home rentals.
TheSociety.com is proud to be affiliated with VRMA which represents over 600 property management and associate members in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, representing approximately 150,000 vacation rental homes, condos and villas. VRMA members represent the leading vacation rental management firms in North America.
The 25th Annual Conference is scheduled for later this month in Washington D.C. The annual meeting is one of the most important and educational opportunities you can partake as a property/estate vacation rental manager.
Of particular interest this year are the following seminars most appropriate for today’s challenging marketplace:
- Emerging Lifestyle and Travel Trends: Implications for Marketing Vacation Home Rentals in the Year Ahead.
- Industry Trends for Executives
- Yield/Revenue Management; Enter the Mainstream of Travel
- E-Mail Marketing; From Lead Capture to Conversion
- How to Maximize the Impact and Attractiveness of your Property Listing
The above are just a sampling of the many programs and seminars available to participants.
To Register:
http://www.vrma.com/resource/resmgr/Annual_Conference/WashingtonVRMRegForm3LateReg.pdf
If you are not a member of VRMA, please consider joining by contacting:
Rick Fisher
Membership & Strategic Development
1-800-557-0135 or (203) 461-9176
Rick.Fisher@DiscoverVacationHomes.com
September 28th, 2009 by Joseph
 Yes, it has been all over the news last week, the mountains west of Denver received their first official dump of snow generating buzz for the upcoming 2009/10 ski season. The vast majority of resorts are open by Thanksgiving Weekend with a few resorts holding off until early December. At present, excellent lodging rates are available from opening day to December 25th (see “early bird deals). Thus, consider a pre-holiday ski outing, avoid the crowds and get those quads in shape.
August 31st, 2009 by Joseph
Park City Lodging, one of our partners in Utah is celebrating their 25th year of service to clients and visitors in the Park City area. A lot has happened during their 25 years in business.
Park City as it is presently known opened on December 21st, 1963 as Treasure Mountain operating at the time the longest gondola in the United States. According to local historians, when the slopes opened to the public, skiers were transported nearly 3 miles into the mountain on the Spiro Tunnel mine train and then lifted 1,800 ft to the slopes on a mine hoist elevator. Aerial trams once used for hauling ore were converted into chairlifts. To this day, there are still more than 1,000 miles of old silver-mine workings and tunnels beneath the slopes at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley. The sister area “Park City West” (now The Canyons) opened in 1968.
 Deer Valley Resort opened in December 1981, at the site of the former “Snow Park” 1946-69.
Thus, our partners at Park City Lodging can be considered old-time locals in the Park City community. Their diversity of lodging opportunities provides clients opportunities from economical options in Old Town and The Canyons to over-the-top luxury slope-side ski-in/out chalets at Deer Valley.
We are proud to announce Park City Lodging’s management division has recently been awarded the management duties for the Home Owners Association of Town Pointe Condominiums. For those who know Park City, Town Pointe offers an enviable location in the heart of Park City just two blocks from the Town Lift (access to Park City Mountain bypassing the base area) and historic Main Street (with its diverse retail and dining options, Chez Betty, a personal favorite as well as municipal shuttle service to Deer Valley and The Canyons).
In addition, Park City Lodging is the managing agent for Town Lift, Lift Lodge and Park Station providing a varied selection of Old Town Park City lodging opportunities.
If you are considering a visit to the Park City this coming winter, Park City Lodging offers clients of TheSociety.com a diverse collection of lodging options and superior customer service. We congratulate Park City Lodging on their 25th anniversary of business and look forward to joining them on the slopes during the 2009/10 season and in 25 years for the 2034/35 ski season, their Golden Anniversary.
July 28th, 2009 by Joseph
 Whistler, the outpost of great skiing and boarding in British Columbia, Canada is preparing for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. While the resort area is well known for its winter sports pursuits, foodie’s in the know appreciate Whistler for its outstanding culinary opportunities.
One of our partners in Whistler is Whistler Tasting Tours. The owners, Skai and Joe provides visitors to Whistler and unforgettable experience to explore the best Whistler restaurants in one enjoyable evening on a Whistler Tasting Tour. Each restaurant on the tour serves a delicious culinary creation paired with a tasty local British Columbia produced wines. It’s a dining experience guests will not soon forget!
Of course, dining alone does not make a vacation. Be sure to check out vacation home rental options available through The Society at: Whistler Vacation Home Rental Opportunities
July 8th, 2009 by Joseph
 Since 2005, Venture capitalists have poured more than $500 million into the industry.- The vacation rental industry was a $24 billion market the U.S. in 2008, equaling the revenues of the cruise industry that year.
- During the past two years, vacation home rentals welcomed 21.5 million guests.
- Customer satisfaction ratings are at 99% i.e. just 1% came home unhappy)
- 33%+ of vacation residence rental guests are in the $100K+ income bracket.
- Of the above, 90% take two or more vacations per year.
- Vacation home rentals benefit from the “drive-time” market
The above courtesy of PhoCusWright.
July 7th, 2009 by Joseph
 All seasoned hospitality and travel professionals know, a vacation is an emotional decision. While one may argue cut-rate room pricing may influence one’s choices concerning lodging, it rarely sway’s the decision process concerning choice of destination of genre of vacation i.e. beach, ski, sun, culture and so forth. Yet, realistically we as property/estate managers and vacation homeowners are now battling for the vacationer’s attention against hotels and resorts which have drastically cut rates which will be in effect for the foreseeable future. One way to compete and delineate yourself is what I call “The Copy Proposition, composing copy to sell”.
The following is from a VRBO listing on Hilton Head:
“Living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, screened in patio, pool, hot tub, grill water-view, 2,750 SF, wi-fi and satellite television”.
The above description does provide the facts and during the era of limited word-counts to save on print advertising it makes perfect sense. However, the Internet is not limited by word counts. Especially for deluxe and luxury offerings, copy is quite important. Consider the above description re-written by the staff of The Society.
“Located on a charming water-view lot, this expansive Hilton Head beach home of 2,750 SF/ 255 M2 retains the charm of a past era of serenity yet offering its guests all modern conveniences. Guests enter the home and are immediately drawn to the living room with its floor to ceiling windows framing an unobstructed view of the majestic Atlantic Ocean beyond. The adjacent dining room seats 8 in comfort, however from our guests comments, most meals will probably be taken al-fresco on the screened-in patio while cooking on the built-in gas grill. After dinner, enjoy a soak in the 6-person hot tub while star-gazing the same skies as did the colonists on ships from England.
Upstairs, three (3) guest suites, all with en-suite bathrooms are designed with dual exposures to allow the evening cross-currents off the ocean to naturally cool the rooms. The wireless high-speed internet provides computer access in all rooms. Satellite television is available in all bedrooms as well as a large plasma screen in the living room for those movie nights after a day playing on the beach. “
For many Hilton Head is a destination for multi-generational families and groups of friends to come together and relax, unwind and enjoy each other’s company. The luxury of a day on the beach can only be rivaled by evenings within this wonderful beach home.
July 7th, 2009 by Joseph
 Subscription to our Global Bundle continues to exceed our conservative estimates concerning property affiliation. Our property/estate managers and homeowners who have partnered with the Global Bundle have indicated an up-tick concerning inquiries from “those who understand and appreciate the value and luxury of a high-end vacation residence rental.”.
The unique diversity of partnerships within the Global Bundle ensure messaging to an affluent audience ranging from age from the mid 30’s to mid 70’s. For example, inquiries from The duPont Registry are oriented to younger families and friends traveling together. Those from The Robb Report seem to inquire concerning large estates for multi-generational families. Our recent mention in the Wall Street Journal has attracted the elusive incentive travel client in search of discreet options beyond the notoriety of Las Vegas (BTW, The WSJ may soon be a partner site within the Global Bundle). For those unaware, the Global Bundle offers:
- Full on-line advertising/marketing/PR solution
- Global exposure to an affluent target market
- Affiliation with eight (8) other respected luxury market portals
- One Listing
- One Calendar
- One Annual Fee
- The Ultimate in Simplicity and Value
May 5th, 2009 by Joseph
While positive news concerning the travel, tourism and hospitality industry has been limited during the last two quarters, there is hope and optimism on the horizon. We (The Society for Leisure Enthusiasts) have been preaching the gospel concerning the expanding market for vacation home rentals, even in the present economy. As our partners (managers and owners) we have been most appreciative with your continued support of The Society.
Last week an interesting article crossed the wires concerning Vacation Home Rentals. The article, published by Hotel Interactive (an influential hospitality trade journal) provided evidence of the emergence and exponential growth of Vacation Home Rentals. Of note is the statistics provided as follows: “According to PhoCusWright vacation rentals accounted for more than 333 million available unit nights in the U.S. market in 2007 (most recent stats available) and nearly $24.3 billion in rental revenue. Approximately 10 percent of all U.S. adults and nearly 20 percent of all online travelers have booked a vacation rental.”
Following the impressive statistics, one of our esteemed partners, Margie ‘Di Guiseppe’ Van Zee, COO/Founder of Bella Palazzo is quoted in the article. In addition, The Society is mentioned followed by a quote from Michael McFadden, co-founder of The Society.
The following is a link to the article in Hotel Interactive: Vacation Home Rentals Surging in Popularity
In addition, the article was “re-printed” on the April 13th, 2009 edition of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) SmartBrief daily newsletter. Please scroll down to “Market Trends”
The exposure indicates the press is increasingly aware of The Society and its partners concerning market leadership and expertise in the Vacation Home Rental marketplace.
We suggest as property managers and owners to consider subscribing to Hotel Interactive and AH&LA SmartBrief, both are excellent resources concerning industry news and trends.
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