Why STR hosts are switching to Airbnb alternatives in Australia

Australia’s short-term rental industry is on the rise, with hosts across the country reporting higher occupancy rates and nightly rates year-round, even during off-peak seasons. And with tourism in Australia expected to pick up further in the coming years due to the upcoming Brisbane Summer Olympics in 2032, more and more people are either planning to invest in short-term rentals or buying more property to expand their business.

But as demand increases, so does the level of competition. Many homeowners struggle to keep up with new listings every day, along with guests’ rising expectations for cleanliness and amenities. This means that hosts can no longer rely on luck or passive strategy; they must optimise every aspect involved in running their Airbnb to stay competitive.

One key aspect of short-term rental and Airbnb management that people tend to overlook is listing on multiple Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). Though Airbnb is still the biggest vacation rental site in Australia, other vacation rental platforms are continuing to grow. By listing on these Airbnb competitors, you can increase your visibility and improve your reach, leading to more bookings in the long run.

Learn more about growing your STR through Airbnb alternatives in Australia and how to mitigate the potential risks below:

Why listing your website across Airbnb alternatives matter

OTAs are online marketplaces where hosts can advertise their short-term rental and reach travellers from all over the world. With OTAs, homeowners no longer need to market their homes the old-fashioned way — instead, you can use these online distribution channels and be seen by millions of people instantaneously. In exchange for listing these properties, platforms take a commission from each booking.

And while you’re probably already using Airbnb for your STR, you might not be listed on other booking platforms like Vrbo or Booking.com just yet. This could be resulting in lost revenue on your end, as you’re limiting your property’s visibility. After all, different travellers use different accommodation platforms, and using multiple distribution channels can help you reach a wider audience, which also leads to increasing your chances of converting a booking.

When you list your property on OTAs, it may also be advertised through the other platforms in their network. For example, properties on Stayz/Vrbo may be listed on Expedia, while listings on Booking.com may be listed on Agoda.

The challenges of multichannel listings

Multi-channel distribution for STRs has many perks, but it also involves many day-to-day risks that hosts need to navigate. Some examples include:

• Platform differences: Each platform will have its own set of processes and fees. This includes booking settings, amenities, hosting fees, and insurance coverage, which affect your pricing strategy.

• Risk of double bookings: Calendars don’t automatically sync across channels, and you’ll need to manage availability so properties aren’t booked on overlapping dates through different platforms.

• Syncing prices: You’ll also need to manually configure prices for across platforms, adjusting your base price based on the platform-specific fees.

• Property mismatch: Some platforms are more specific about the types of properties they accept — for example, while Airbnb accepts single rooms and shared spaces, platforms like Vrbo will only rent out entire properties.

While managing listings on multiple booking websites has plenty of challenges, the potential to get more bookings and increase revenue far outweighs the work involved.

Other options aside from Airbnb​

Booking.com

Booking.com is an all-in-one online platform for everything travel-related, from accommodations and car rentals to flights and tours.

• Property types: Private rooms in shared accommodations, entire properties, hotels, and more.
• Total platform fees: 15.5%-18.5%, depending on your area.
• Partner OTAs: Agoda, Tripadvisor, and Kayak.

Vrbo

Short for Vacation Rentals by Owner, Vrbo is an online marketplace for vacation rentals typically geared towards families and large groups.

• Property types: Entire properties only; private rooms in shared accommodations (such as spare rooms and dormitories) are not hosted on the platform.
• Total platform fees: 14.2%
• OTAs: Expedia, Wotif, Stayz, Trivago, and Hotels.com.

Direct booking sites

A short-term rental direct booking site is a customisable website where homeowners can directly accept bookings for their short-term rental property, without having to use OTAs. While the hosting fees are lower or zero, you’ll need to pay for other things like marketing, payment processing, and the like.

Hands-free solutions with professional management

When it comes to listing and advertising short-term rentals, it’s not about Airbnb vs Expedia, Airbnb vs Vrbo, or Airbnb vs Booking.com – it’s about making sure your property is listed on all of them to maximise your visibility and income.

Consider using dynamic pricing tools and short-term rental channel managers to streamline your operations, or look into working with professionals who handle the entire process for you. For example, Airbnb managers like Hometime offer multi-channel listing management along with the following services:

• Dynamic short-term rental pricing tailored around your property’s unique earning potential
• Guest vetting and communication, including handling any emergencies, from local hosts that live near your property
• Listing optimisation through Airbnb SEO, professional photographers, and property stylists
• A reliable network of Airbnb cleaners that deliver a high-quality clean every time
• Access to the Homeowner Portal, an Airbnb management software where you get 24/7 visibility into your booking calendar

Hometime offers Airbnb management in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and other locations across Australia. Schedule an obligation-free chat to get an earnings estimate.