SINGAPORE, June 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global travel media Trip101 reports record levels of vacation rental bookings as well as shorter booking lead times (time between booking and check-in) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Remarkably, May saw a record number of bookings for Trip101, with a 300% YoY growth. The initial growth could be due to people looking to self-isolate (like key workers and those at risk) and people who wanted to escape urban hotspots of the virus.
Trip101's latest data also shows that the US is leading in the recovery for vacation rentals. Data over the last 12 months clearly shows when COVID-19 impacted the vacation rental market, hitting the lowest levels of bookings per week at the start of March 2020. Recovery began from mid-March, with April seeing a sharp growth in bookings, reaching pre-covid levels by the end of the month. Moreover, between the start of the recovery and the end of May, there was a 700% increase in bookings per week.
Other countries are also following a similar trajectory. Canada leads the recovery with 880% more bookings by the end of May compared to the start of April, Australia with 550%, and Japan with 150%. These countries have not fully recovered to pre-COVID levels of bookings but the data indicates a promising recovery.
Trip101 also reports that booking time for vacation rentals around the world decreased substantially during the height of the pandemic. May 2020 saw the shortest booking time ever, with people booking an average of 29 days in advance--a stark difference from 2019's average booking time of 50 days.
For vacation rentals in the US, findings show a 62% decrease in booking time, from 72 days at the beginning of the year, to 27 days in May. Trip101 also found a further 7% decrease in booking time from April to May.
The trends coincide with the announcement that states are starting to re-open for business. While people still have the desire to travel, continuing travel restrictions and uncertainty means that they can only plan their trips a few weeks in advance. This suggests that vacation rental owners can expect to see their summer calendars begin to fill up.
Trip101, which has grown rapidly since its establishment in 2015 and reaching 2 million monthly users in 2019, has generated over 30,000 travel-related articles since 2015--with some 8,000 devoted to vacation rentals.
About Trip101
Trip101 is a one-stop guide for the modern-day traveller that has been growing rapidly since its establishment in 2015. Spanning across 7 continents and more than 180 countries, all travel recommendations are based on the authentic experiences of travel experts. Supported by an ever-growing community of travel writers, Trip101 caters to the dynamic needs of young and modern travellers -- featuring unique accommodations, local experiences, destination guides, and travel tips. From choosing the best Airbnbs and vacation rentals to booking the lesser-known local tours and activities, Trip101 is relevant for all stages of travel. Be it pre-trip, in-destination, or post-trip, there's something useful for everyone.
Trip101 is part of Venture Republic Group, which also owns LINE Travel jp, the largest travel metasearch and media in Japan, as well as Allstay, the leading mobile search app for accommodations in South Korea.
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