STR Data Lab™ by AirDNA Maximizing Last-Minute Bookings in the Short-Term Rental Industry
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Jun 12, 2025 Alex Alioto, Head of Growth at Whimstay, is your go-to expert on last-minute bookings in the short-term rental space. He shares how Whimstay addresses the challenge of unsold gap nights while enhancing value for both hosts and travelers. Tune in as Alex discusses the changing travel habits among Gen Z and millennials, the demand for spontaneous trips, and the importance of dynamic pricing. Discover strategies for optimizing occupancy during shoulder seasons and the vital role of targeted marketing in attracting a new generation of travelers.
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Whimstay: Hotel Tonight for Rentals
- Whimstay operates like Hotel Tonight but exclusively for short-term rentals, focusing only on last-minute bookings.
- It creates a win-win by filling unsold gap nights for hosts and offering spontaneous travelers discounted stays.
Shortening Booking Windows Trend
- Booking windows are shrinking with travelers delaying decisions due to economic uncertainty and shorter lead times.
- This trend resembles 'COVID light' effects where economic factors drive last-minute planning.
Next-Gen Travelers Drive Last-Minute
- Next-gen travelers like Gen Z and millennials travel more frequently and often take last-minute micro vacations.
- They travel on weekdays, creating opportunities to fill off-peak and gap nights in short-term rentals.