Laurene decided to resign from her corporate job in 2016 to focus on expanding the business. She no longer uses Airbnb as a primary platform for bookings. Due to her more advanced offerings, NightsBridge is now her online property management system and booking solution of choice. The system connects to and pulls bookings from other online channels( like Booking. com, Tripadvisor, Airbnb and Safari Now) and also helps streamline payments.
Airbnb is a very easy way to generate a second income, especially in parts of the country, such as the Western Cape, where demand for short-term rentals is high.
Laurene’ s advice to others“ While it is quite hard work, it’ s also very rewarding. You need to be available 24 / 7 ‒ especially within the luxury market. But my clients are the best to work with as they are on holiday, relaxed and in a good mood ‒ as long as I take care of them properly,” she explained.
Her advice to other entrepreneurs thinking of investing in the hospitality sector is as follows:
• Airbnb is a very easy way to generate a second income, especially in parts of the country, such as the Western Cape, where demand for short-term rentals is high.
• Get your financial structures in place right from the get-go; open a separate bank account for your business and keep its expenses and income separate from your other revenue streams.
• You must have a user-friendly and tastefully designed website, with good-quality photos showcasing your accommodation options. Airbnb offers a free photography service, so you can request a photographer to take professional photographs of your space.
• Be responsive to online engagements. Being accessible and a good communicator are two essential skills for success in the hospitality industry.
• Always welcome guests with a personal touch ‒ this could be a bottle of wine, a welcome note or a chocolate on their pillow. Have their rooms ready for them in time and never leave them waiting.
• Invest in good appliances ‒ dishwashers, washing machines, coffee machines etc. ‒ to make your guests’ stay as comfortable as possible.
• As your business grows, get a good team around you to help you share the responsibilities; from cleaning staff to someone to hand over keys and do check-ins, you’ ll need a lot of support.
• If you are not targeting the ultra-luxury market, avoid using white linen as this gets dirty very quickly. Go for light grey linen and towels instead. It still gives a fresh, clean feel.
• If you can’ t interact with your guests as a host, have a user manual or recommendation sheet available with all important numbers listed, along with tips on things to do and recommended places to eat in the area.
• Be as hands on as you can initially so that you know your business inside and out.
• Lastly, never, ever overpromise or underdeliver.
Future of short-term rentals According to Laurene, Airbnb now offers a cohosting option, which allows you to manage shortterm rentals on behalf of other property owners or, if you have the property but not the time, you could get someone to manage your own property for you. It can be a simple as handing over a key to managing the entire booking on your behalf. She does feel that the line between what the Airbnb technology facilitates and the services of a real estate agency is becoming quite a fine one and questions at what point it will be required to become a certified estate agent.
RESOURCES
Fijndraai Wine Estate, Nights Bridge
www. reimag. co. za MAY 2017 SA Real Estate Investor 59