Airbnb alternatives in Australia: best STR sites for hosts

With average Airbnb occupancy rates in Australia remaining steady in recent years, many are either starting their own Airbnb or looking for ways to improve their existing listings. One key aspect of short-term rental (STR) management that people tend to overlook, however, is listing your property on multiple Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). Although Airbnb is still the biggest vacation rental site in Australia, other vacation rental platforms are continuing to grow, with each one targeting different types of travellers. These Airbnb alternatives offer homeowners opportunities to broaden their guest reach, increase listing visibility, and get more bookings.

Learn how to use Airbnb alternatives in Australia as an effective online distribution channel, the risks involved, and how to mitigate these risks below:

What are OTAs?

OTAs, short for Online Travel Agencies, are websites or platforms where guests can book short-term accommodations. They also allow homeowners to list and market their STR properties online — instead of having to market your vacation rental the old-fashioned way, you can advertise through these online distribution channels that enable you to reach travellers from all over the world. In exchange for listing these properties, platforms take a commission from each booking.

While most STR homeowners utilise Airbnb, there are plenty of other booking platforms like Vrbo or Booking.com that can help you reach a wider audience. By listing your property on multiple distribution channels instead of just Airbnb, you can increase your chances of converting a booking.

Why list your STR property on multiple OTAs?

• Increased property visibility: Different travellers search for accommodations on different platforms, so listing your property on multiple Airbnb alternatives gets it more views. Many booking platforms also have digital distribution programs where they put up your property listing on their partner sites, further expanding your reach.
• Target new audiences: Other OTAs outperform Airbnb in certain markets and geographic locations — listing your STR on these platforms can help you reach people who don’t use Airbnb.
• Potential for more bookings: Due to a wider reach, you'll have a higher chance of getting more bookings compared to listing on just one platform.
  

In the video below, Hannah, Hometime’s Portfolio Optimisation Manager, explains how having a multichannel strategy can earn you more from your STR:

What are the challenges involved with multichannel listings?

• Learning curve: Each platform will have its own set of processes for listing creation and management. Backend optimisations, including booking settings and amenities, vary by platform, and you’ll need to tailor your property to rank higher on each, as their search algorithms differ. 
• More work: You'll have to check multiple booking platforms to talk to guests, manage your pricing, and check calendars, instead of just Airbnb.
• Risk of double bookings: Calendars don’t automatically sync across channels — you’ll need to proactively manage availability so your properties aren’t double-booked (booked on overlapping dates) on the different platforms, which can result to guest complaints and Airbnb claims.
• 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.
• Managing platform fees: Each platform has its own set of fees, which you'll need to account for these variations before you can determine prices for your STR. Insurance policies also differ among booking platforms.

While managing listings on multiple booking websites involves more work, it's worth considering the significant potential to get more bookings and increased revenue for your STR property. If you’re after a hands-free solution, you could explore professional Airbnb managers who handle the entire process for you, including multi-channel listing creation and more:

• Property onboarding: We’ll help you navigate local Airbnb rules for homeowners so you can list your home on Airbnb and alternative websites as quickly as we can so you can start getting bookings ASAP.
• Listing optimisation: Our team constantly works on improving your listing using Airbnb SEO and Airbnb styling and professional real-estate photography. We also create detailed guides for your guests for a local touch that help you get great Airbnb reviews.
• Airbnb cleaning services: We’ll find the best cleaners for regular cleans and restocking between stays, paid for using the built-in cleaning fee from the booking. No need to pay out of pocket between guest stays.
• Revenue and booking management: Hometime’s pricing analysts and market experts use Airbnb dynamic pricing strategies and customised minimum night settings to help you calculate your Airbnb prices, allowing us to optimise your revenue while increasing short-term rental occupancy at the same time.
• Guest communication and management: We go the extra mile to ensure your guests enjoy every part of their stay, from making the booking, checking in, checking out, and everything in between. This includes taking care of maintenance issues quickly, providing alternatives for late-night arrivals, and even meeting them in person when needed!‍
• Property maintenance: Hometime’s local Airbnb experts will sort out all your maintenance needs to make both you and your guests happy. We’ll also do our best to get you the best rates for services in the area due to our close relationships with local businesses.
• Access to Hometime's all-in-one property management software to manage your Airbnb remotely.

What other options are there besides 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 area
• OTAs: Once you list on Booking.com, your STR property may be pushed to other OTAs in their network like Agoda, Tripadvisor, and Kayak. Listing details published on partner distribution channels use the information you provided on Booking.com.

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 generally not hosted on the platform.
• Total platform fees: 14.2%
• OTAs: Once you list on Vrbo, your STR property may be pushed to other OTAs in their network Expedia, Wotif, Stayz, Trivago, and Hotels.com. Listing details published on partner distribution channels use the information you provided on Vrbo.

Hometime

Hometime is a direct booking site hosting Australia’s largest collection of professionally managed holiday homes. Aside from being a website for guests to book short-term rentals, Hometime also offers full-service short-term rental management services, including multi-channel listing creation.

• 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: 10%
• OTAs: Once you list with Hometime, your STR property will also be pushed to Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and their associated distribution channels.

Airbnb vs Vrbo vs Booking.com vs Hometime

As the short-term rental market continues to grow, it's important to remember to diversify your STR’s distribution channels — listing your property on multiple platforms is one of the best ways to do this, as it exposes your property to more people in new niches at minimal cost. Take a look at the table below for a direct comparison among booking platforms:

*Airbnb's split fee (hosts pay 3%, guests up to 14.2%) is the most common; The host-only fee (14%–16%) applies to hotels, serviced apartments, property management setups, and hosts who prefer simplified pricing.

If you’d like to find out how you can earn more with Hometime’s multi-channel distribution strategy, get in touch with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I host my property on multiple platforms like Airbnb and Stayz?
  ‍Yes, you can host your STR property on Airbnb and Stayz at the same time, as well as other platforms like Vrbo, Booking.com, and their partner OTAs.
• Which is better, Airbnb or Stayz?
  ‍Each platform will have different fees, insurance policies, and the like. It's best to consult with STR experts to determine what your best options are. In terms of bookings and revenue, your STR's performance may vary depending on location — it's best to list your property on multiple platforms to increase visibility and the chances of getting bookings.
• How do I avoid double booking on Airbnb and Vrbo?
  ‍To avoid double booking on Airbnb, Vrbo, and other hosting platforms, you'll need to sync your calendars either manually or by using a channel manager.
• How do I sync my Vrbo calendar with Airbnb, Booking.com, and other STR platforms?
  ‍You can either sync your calendars manually by importing and exporting across platforms, use a channel manager, or work with an Airbnb manager to handle multi-channel listing distribution for your STR.