Vacasa + Whimstay: Optimizing Inventory

A preeminent name in property management, Vacasa identified the need to harness unrented last-minute inventory effectively. Seeking a distinctive channel to list this inventory and target travelers looking for stays within tighter booking windows, Vacasa initiated a strategic partnership with Whimstay—the goal: to drive targeted traffic to units in prime destinations.

The Challenge: Unrented Last-Minute Inventory

Vacasa, despite its extensive reach and diverse inventory, was grappling with a prevalent issue—substantial portions of last-minute inventory remained unrented. This included gap nights and cancellations. The underutilization of available properties highlighted a pressing need for an innovative solution. Vacasa needed to optimize occupancy and revenue by tapping into a niche audience of travelers seeking last-minute bookings.

Whimstay’s unique offering has helped us convert more bookings for Vacasa properties with last-minute availability. We look forward to working with Whimstay as part of our overall distribution strategy to optimize occupancy and revenue for our homeowners.

– Tom Feldhusen, Director of Channel Marketing at Vacasa

The Solution: Swift Integration with Whimstay

To counter this challenge, Vacasa and Whimstay collaborated on a swift and seamless integration. This quickly made Vacasa’s expansive range of vacation rentals available on Whimstay’s platform. This partnership enabled Vacasa to directly target and cater to a burgeoning audience of spontaneous travelers. Offering them exclusive deals on professionally managed and well-appointed vacation rentals across sought-after destinations. Tom Feldhusen, Director of Channel Marketing at Vacasa notes, “Whimstay’s unique offering has helped us convert more bookings for Vacasa properties with last-minute availability. We look forward to working with Whimstay as part of our overall distribution strategy to optimize occupancy and revenue for our homeowners.”

The Impact: Increased Occupancy and Revenue

The alliance with Whimstay brought forth immediate and substantial benefits for Vacasa. By diversifying their distribution channels and leveraging Whimstay’s unique positioning, Vacasa witnessed a marked increase in occupancy rates. These especially occurred during off-peak seasons and gap nights. What’s more, Vacasa was able to access a new, highly desirable customer segment eager for last-minute deals. In a public statement regarding this exciting partnership, Vacasa’s VP of Marketing, Caleb Donegan, illuminates the enhanced demand in the context of shifting consumer preferences. “The pandemic accelerated a preference shift that was a decade in the making. With more people trying short-term rentals for the first time and guests staying in them more often,” said Donegan. “While we’re experiencing an increase in demand and occupancy rates remain high, our partnership with Whimstay will connect more guests with our homes and elevated vacation rental experience.”

Final Thoughts: Strengthening the Vacation Rental Industry Through Partnership

The synergy between Vacasa and Whimstay exemplifies the transformative power of strategic collaboration in addressing industry challenges. This partnership not only enriches user experience by offering a wide array of affordable vacation rental options, perfectly curated to meet their needs. It also propels growth trajectory by connecting more guests to premium, professionally managed homes that may have been otherwise vacant.

Insights for Industry Peers:

The partnership between Vacasa and Whimstay highlights how crucial it is to form strategic alliances and expand distribution channels to effectively tackle specific industry challenges. For companies aiming to make the most out of their inventory and reach new customer groups, embracing a diverse strategy that includes partnerships with platforms like Whimstay can drive incremental revenue and bolster overall growth and sustainability.

Vacasa + Whimstay: Optimizing Inventory

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