Time To Reflect - Lodging Newsletter May 31, 2022

By Wm, May
Published: 05/31/22 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

Most vacation rental newsletters, like newsletters in most industries, are all about self-promotion and selling something to someone.

And yes, we are guilty of that, too, but we are allowed to be proud of the incredible work people here do for clients and guests 365 days a year. But today might be a good day for some reflection. Not just from the Covid cacophony, but because this, I am happy to say, is the 75th issue of our monthly diatribe.

It started with a short list but, the number of readers has grown. (I should say recipients because goodness knows if anyone reads them!) Some of you are subjected to it unwillingly, but I hope not regretfully. From others, I appreciate the comments, compliments and even the criticism.

I must ask however, please no more reminders that my use of the Oxford comma is sometimes a little sloppy or, as one reader claimed, a lot sloppy . . . . . . . .

Over 25,000 of these letters have been mailed and they haven’t gotten any returned with nasty remarks, so you must like them a little bit or find them good fireplace starter kindling.

I have been asked why do we send the letters by snail mail, when the rest of the world has gone completely paperless, blasting out email after email blaring about one topic or another. The answer is that writing the letter requires just a bit more time and thought. At least, I think so.

For you non-Luddites out there, we are going to start emailing copies of the newsletter, too, because mailing everyone is pricey. And with the price of inflation, we can save a few cents here and there. Plus, it will be easier for you to 'Unsubscribe" this letter out of your mind.

Speaking of records, we have now surpassed over 500,000 guests, which is not too bad considering we are a small band of the dedicated out there cleaning toilets, polishing windows and working hard to make guests love every property we work with.

So, enough self congratulations for now. On with the show.

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It was an absent-minded remark when, in April of 2020, someone opined "Since Covid, we have all truly learned the definition of the word "unpredictable". But who could have predicted that unpredictability would continue for over two years now? So, this letter is full of this and that.

Summer - Have you noticed that Summer is finally here? Guests are flocking to rentals and our staff are moving fast. The pundits say 2022 won't equal 2020 or 2021 in rental income. But let's remind everyone that it will still greatly exceed 2019, which was a pretty great year.

AirBnB - Has released its latest upgrade with a few backward steps. They now write the headlines for listings using strangely generic things like "House in Jonesville." Well, gee, don’t they understand that guests search by geographic area and already presume they are looking for homes in Jonesville?

Is Big Better - Although giant companies dominate the business press, the world has been built on smaller, more innovative and more flexible companies all doing great work. That is what we aspire to.

Acquisitions - Giant Corporations continue to buy up small vacation rental management companies. But small management firms still dominate 98% of the vacation rental management industry. While some people try the remote "Do It Yourself" route, managed clients make more money by working with professional managers.

Public - Several public vacation rental companies have seen their stock plummet this year, along with companies in other industries that want to promote themselves as tech firms. In lodging the key word is, and always will be, "Hospitality" not "Algorithm".

Inflation - Wasn't it just recently that no one remembered the dreaded Inflation word? Did the further refinements in Yield Management Dynamic Rates contribute? Was it gas shortages? OR has Covid made us all greedy?

Gas Prices - All the research shows that Americans' quest for travel has slowed, especially to "Drive to Destinations." Yes, we feel it, but there are still legions of travelers anxious to get out and about. Time will tell.

War - Not to reveal the age of some antiquarians working here, but some remember Edwin Starr's Vietnam song "War, what is it good for - absolutely nothing." We are all rooting for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.

MountRainier.com - Our new central reservations service for travelers all around the mountain is up and running. It will be easier than ever for them to find great lodging. Just in time for the glorious summer sun.

Light Reading - If you missed any issue of our famous (or not) newsletter, remember you can read them online simply by registering free on our websites and logging in.

One Good Man - Allow me a short farewell to Fred Crowell. For 50 years he pumped joy in the 300,000 kids who attended his amazing basketball camp. After penning his inspirational book "Words of Hope", he passed last summer and a service was held in a packed auditorium over this Memorial Day weekend. Good Bye, Coach. We love you.

P.S. If you would like a copy "Words of Hope", ask and I would be honored to send you one.

Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0911 – 05/31/22

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com