Industry News

So, you’re hitting the big city for your next vacation.  Before you start comparing hotels, consider renting a vacation home for your next urban escape.  While vacation homes boast a great reputation on coastal beach towns the world over, they tend to be a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to visiting a metropolis.   That’s why we’re here to shed light on the value and savings of renting a vacation home on your next urban excursion.

For years, renting a vacation property in an urban setting has been a predominately European tradition. However, lately many American travelers are beginning to consider renting urban apartments and homes when visiting concrete jungles throughout the United States.

Urban vacation rentals can offer some much needed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life.  The ability to return home with a handful of fresh fruit from the local market and kick your feet up in the living room is a definite perk.  If you have a large family, renting a city apartment for your trip allows for more freedom than a hotel room.  You can put the kids to bed and still have the time and space to enjoy a glass of wine or your favorite flick.

Plus, there’s nothing better then getting a deal.  Renting these luscious living spaces usually comes at a cheaper price and a better value than a hotel.  If you’re craving a pacific coast sun stay in San Francisco for less than $200 a night, chances are you’ll have a much easier time meeting your price point in a vacation rental than at a hotel. To illustrate a comparable east coast example, consider that while a 4 star NYC hotel room for 4 people will run you around $250 per night, you could easily rent an apartment instead and stay for $100 less per night.

If these domestic deals don’t quite suit your travel appetite, we assure you that urban vacation rentals provide a great value internationally as well. If Europe is calling your name, consider a romantic getaway to the city of love and stay in your own private Parisian apartment for only $100 a night!

With all of these urban vacation rental perks, what traveler could resist a quick search to entertain their curiosity?  Check out rentals in your next big city destination.

Vacation rentals are a very popular lodging option for families and we wanted to highlight a great new family travel planning website. Wondering what to do with the fam, where to eat at night or which hotels offer activities for both kids and adults?

FamilyVacationCritic.com offers advice to parents on the ins and outs of planning the perfect vacation with the tots. Although there are loads of vacation advice sites out there, few cater to families quite like this…

Here are some of the many family friendly features of the site:

• Travel Forums offer advice from experts and family travelers just like you, so you’ll be able to reference all of the best tips and tricks out there for every family trip you take. From polls on the best family destinations to suggestions on resorts, the forum will be sure to put your worries at ease with answers from people with first hand experience.

• Destination Guides provide a comprehensive overview of family friendly vacation spots, so you’ll be sure to only travel to the most fun-packed destinations. These guides are all inclusive lists of everything you’ll need to plan the perfect getaway- from resorts and activities to tips and attractions.

• The Trip Ideas section has lists of suggestions on where to go, what to do and how to do it for when you’re still debating what to do for your next family adventure. From road trips to family reunions to youth spas (!), they offer proven ways to get the most out of your excursion.

So whether you’re planning a trip or have advice to share about your past trips, stop by FamilyVacationCritic.com and see what they have for you and your family.

Submitted by Discover Vacation Homes:

Effective immediately, I’m pleased to share with you that the voice for our professionally managed vacation rental industry, the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), launches a much-anticipated awareness campaign for the traveling public: Discover Vacation Homes. 

The only collaborative effort of its kind within the industry, VRMA’s Discover Vacation Homes initiative will work to promote professionally managed vacation rentals as one of North America’s fastest-growing lodging categories through public relations – including earned publicity, social networking and emerging new media strategies.

Why, you ask? Today’s economic conditions and “togethering” travel trends indicate a huge need for value, space and privacy – needs which vacation rentals address better than any other lodging option. In short, there’s never been a better time to share our story than right now.

United toward this momentous goal, the VRMA with its DVH promotions arm will be able to more effectively elevate the perception of the entire category, enlightening those who are currently unaware of what we offer, as well as the many benefits associated with it. What’s more, with the strength of more than 600 members and approximately 150,000 trusted rental homes, condos and villas, the VRMA’s collective voices can be heard with authority – proudly shouted from the rooftops of vacation rentals worldwide!

In support of the new public relations initiative, the VRMA has retained renowned vacation rental industry supporter Rick Fisher as a Chief Strategist, and utilizes the services of top international advertising, marketing research, and public relations firm, Ypartnership, for dedicated representation in 2009 (www.ypartnership.com).

Companies will have the opportunity to learn more about the Discover Vacation Homes program, and meet the team behind the campaign, during VRMA’s three conferences this year (Eastern, Western and National).

For more information about VRMA and its new campaign, including member benefits and answers to frequently asked questions, check out the newly redesigned VRMA website at www.VRMA.com or the evolving www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com.