Dear WuBookers, managing one or more properties for short-term rentals also means taking care of their online visibility. Advertising apartments and vacation homes is essential for attracting guests and generating income, but it can be quite stressful given the wide range of options and the varying conditions of each portal.

So here is our list of the best websites for renting vacation homes internationally and a series of useful tips to help you get it right.

OTAs for vacation homes: websites to know

OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) are portals dedicated to the sale of accommodation and related services. There are platforms that specialize in only one type of property (such as B&Bs and campsites, for example) and others that offer a wide range, from hotels to vacation rentals. Vertical solutions are not necessarily better than others—and vice versa—because much depends on the positioning and sales strategy of the properties and the characteristics of each OTA. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Booking.com

It’s impossible not to know it: Booking.com is one of the giants in the industry. Founded in the Netherlands, it now has more than 28 million listings, including 6.6 million homes and apartments (according to the OTA’s own estimates), and is available in 43 languages. It has a widespread presence and, thanks to the reliability of its system, the discounts offered, and 24-hour customer service, it enjoys a good reputation among end users. So much so that, despite the platform being created to promote hotels, in 2024, 1 in 3 nights booked were in vacation rentals, according to the official website. An excellent showcase, therefore, but one that is not exempt from ranking mechanisms and, of course, is not free. Commission costs – i.e., the percentage retained by Booking.com on each booking received – vary from country to country, with an average of 15% per stay.

Airbnb

Another major market leader, Airbnb has established itself as a platform for private accommodation rentals but has quickly become an essential business tool worldwide. Easy to use for both guests and hosts, it has several positive aspects, such as the ability to know the identity of customers in advance (and choose whether or not to accept them) and a booking control system to limit possible damage. Here too, there are commission fees that depend on the formula selected by the owner (costs shared with guests or simplified prices) or the integrated technology (those who use a channel manager have fixed commission fees, which are entirely at their expense).

Vrbo

Part of the Expedia Group along with other brands (such as Abritel.fr, FeWo-direkt.de, Bookabach.co.nz, Stayz.com.au), Vrbo offers vacation rentals worldwide and mainly attracts a family target audience. Registration on the platform is free, and commission fees on reservations vary between 5% and 15%.

Reliable and secure, it is definitely a platform to consider when promoting your accommodation.

Agoda

Originally from Asia, Agoda has also spread to Europe and now reaches around 9 million travelers worldwide. It does not specialize in vacation rentals but offers a variety of accommodation options, including vacation rentals. The costs, always calculated as a percentage of the reservation, vary depending on the city and country of each property. Support in 38 languages available 7 days a week and an intuitive app make this OTA particularly attractive.

Other platforms to promote your vacation rental

In addition to those mentioned above, there are many other platforms with international or local coverage, such as:

• HRS: designed primarily for hotels, it also offers properties such as vacation homes and apartments. Among its advantages is the Green Stay software, which helps hotels improve their environmental impact.
• Trip.com: an alternative to the most popular OTAs for hotels, it boasts 300,000 accommodations in more than 230 countries and regions around the world.
• CasasRurales: mainly used in Spain, England, and France to book accommodation in the countryside.

What to consider when choosing the best site?

But what aspects should you consider when choosing the portals on which to rent your vacation home? First, we recommend that you evaluate the site’s coverage, i.e., the markets where it is strongest and its user base. In other words, the visibility and target areas of the OTA.

The second factor to consider is the audience. There are generalist platforms and others that are more popular with a certain type of guest (such as families or couples, for example): so make sure they are in line with your ideal clientele.

The third feature is experience in the sector. Newer platforms may have attractive offers, but a history of activity is usually synonymous with reliability and a large number of loyal users. Reviews from guests and other hoteliers are another detail to check in order to understand the reputation and efficiency of the site.

Speaking of offers, don’t overlook the economic aspect: commission costs and premium software can be an excellent reason to choose one platform over another.

Last but not least, it’s a good idea to check compatibility with channel management software if you don’t want to spend hours manually updating your calendar and rates between OTAs, with the risk of errors that this entails.

The WuBook Channel Manager

Among the best channel managers for hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals, Zak Channel Manager, created by WuBook, is an indispensable tool for properties that want to promote themselves on sales channels such as OTAs. Connected to more than 100 OTAs and the main metasearch engines, it allows you to define and differentiate your rates according to the portal and automatically update prices, availability, and restrictions in real time on all platforms.

Easy, intuitive, and fast, it is synonymous with efficiency and usability.

What’s more, it doesn’t require any special technology to use: all you need is an internet connection to access the software from any device at any time. This means you can make all the changes you want to your sales strategy without the risk of overbooking.Researching and choosing the best sales platforms for vacation rentals can take time, but whatever solution you choose, it’s essential to have the right tools: Zak by WuBook is one of them.