With peak Turks and Caicos travel happening from December to April, many folks begin planning and booking well in advance. But if you haven’t reserved your rental yet, that doesn’t mean it’s time to panic. In fact, this time of year is also an incredibly popular time to book a getaway! So popular, in fact, there’s even a holiday built around it!
National Book Direct Day takes place on the first Wednesday of February and is a time when local property managers educate guests about the advantages of booking their stay with a property manager instead of online travel agencies (OTA).
With a few weeks to go, we wanted to make sure you’re ready for National Book Direct Day by giving you some helpful info that will guarantee you’re ready to get the best deals on your upcoming vacations. Check out all the info below and start dreaming up your tropical Turks and Caicos vacation today!
What is National Book Direct Day?
National Book Direct Day is an increasingly popular holiday in the vacation rental industry. Since its debut on Twitter in 2018, property managers and vacation rental owners have seen more guests who typically book with sites like Airbnb or Vrbo realize the vast benefits of coming directly to the source for all their vacation accommodation needs.
Thanks to social media, this movement continues to reach new people each year, relaying the importance of quality communication, booking transparency, and cost-effective ways property managers set themselves apart from listing sites.
Why Does Booking Directly with a Property Manager Matter?
Did you know when you book a vacation with an OTA, you have to pay a commission, which is set by the travel site? Not only that but the property manager or owner has to pay a commission, too. So owners and managers don’t lose money by hosting their homes with these sites, the rates for homes listed with OTAs are higher than you’ll find when you Book Direct.
Other reasons to Book Direct are:
Flexibility
When you book your vacation rental directly with a property manager, you’re more likely to enjoy flexibility on everything from check-in/check-out times and dates to cancellation policies. Plus, if something isn’t quite up to snuff, property managers or owners are more likely to compensate you for the less-than-perfect experience. With OTAs, you’re beholden to rigid policies and are far less likely to find timely resolve to issues.
Options
Did you know property managers withhold some of their inventory from OTAs? And it’s usually the best homes! Homes that regularly book on their own don’t need to be advertised on an OTA. So, if you’re limiting your search to Airbnb, you could be missing out on the true gems of your destination.
Communication
We’ve all had the experience of calling customer service just to wait on hold, be transferred to multiple departments, tell our issue to three separate people, only to be disconnected and have to start the process all over again… and you never end up talking to the same person twice.
When you Book Direct, you’re working with a local team – people who live in the area you want to visit. Not only do property managers have consistent staff, but you’ll have direct phone numbers and email addresses that make communication simple, efficient, and effective.
Local Perks
Since the property management team is local to the area and not some giant corporation with listings all over the world, many of them have connections to other local businesses, which can result in discounts for you on excursions or activities. Or, at the very least, end up providing you with a local’s guide to the best things to do and experience during your stay.
Additionally, joining email lists for property management companies in your favorite areas means you’ll be the first to hear about specials, discounts, and promotions.
Lastly, in the event of something like a double booking, property managers and owners are more likely to prioritize the customer they’ve worked with directly, meaning you’re once again at the mercy of the customer service department of an OTA if you didn’t Book Direct.
Discover Luxury Villas in Turks and Caicos!
Now that you know everything there is to know about National Book Direct Day, there’s only one thing left to do: find your dream property!
At Villa Esencia, you’ll have your pick of our luxury villas located directly on Long Bay Beach. Choose a villa that comes with a private car rental or a Penthouse Loft and enjoy all the property amenities our guests love, like new pickleball courts, a hot tub, luxurious pools, provided kiteboarding and beach equipment, cabanas, and a perfect location that puts you near the best dining and entertainment while offering the seclusion that feels like you’re on your own private island.
Browse our properties, and be sure to contact us to #BookDirect! We can’t wait to welcome you to Turks and Caicos on your next adventure.
