Airbnb business guests can be an excellent source of low risk income for your Airbnb listing. They are often professionals, who are clean and want nothing more than to have a quiet night after a long day of conferences or work. Here’s how to attract business guests for your Airbnb listing:
Location is key to attracting Airbnb business guests
Business travelers may have already spent hours upon hours in an airplane seat before landing in your city. They will not be pleased if they have to spend even more time in an uncomfortable taxi cab or public transport just to get to your place. Having a listing that is hard to find will not help the situation either.
If your Airbnb listing is in the suburbs and is an hour or so out of the city center you may want to cater to a different demographic. Corporate travelers want to be able to get to their appointments and meetings without having to endure lengthy commutes or expensive cab rides. If your Airbnb listing is centrally located and has easy access to the commercial/downtown center, then you may have a winning location.
Remember that convenience is key when attracting corporate Airbnb guests, and a room situated a couple of blocks away from the boardroom is hard to resist.
Business-friendly Amenities
Location is the leading factor in targeting business travelers on Airbnb, but it is not the only factor. Look at your Airbnb listing through the eyes of the guest. How does it present itself? How does your listing on the Airbnb website come through? What kind of guest is it attracting? While all manners of spaces are offered through Airbnb (from treehouses, to boathouses to sofabeds) that attract all sorts of individuals, business travelers may tend to shy away from these interesting places.
Corporate travelers are trading a hotel room for a space that gives them a semblance of home. They are trading living days or weeks from a suitcase for an opportunity to have a relaxed space where they can unpack and decompress. Keep in mind what an Airbnb guest with this mindset would want in a rental.
Free and fast Wifi is a great amenity to offer. In this day and age, the majority of corporate travelers need to be connected to the internet to conduct business. Offering a coffee maker is a no-brainer. Fast-start mornings and late nights are the norm for the jet set business type. Giving them a way to clean their belongings is a big bonus in the eyes of these clients who travel with a limited wardrobe, so a washer and dryer would be a definite plus. Remember that these clients are here to work and a place to work is not only a nice-to-have, but essential in most cases. To that extent have a proper desk available in your unit. Make sure to have plenty of outlets or power bars for their multitude of devices. Depending on your location having a parking spot available for their car rental would also boost your listing in the eyes of these clients.
Your clients’ business dealings will be stressful enough, giving them the space to relax while still being efficient will skyrocket bookings and reviews. Dropping some money to cater to these guests will be a worthwhile investment.
Cater to the specific Airbnb Business Guest niche
Imagine, or better yet write down, your ideal corporate client. Get as specific as you can. Airbnb gets this niche. Where are they from? What industry do they do business in? What kind of big businesses are close to your location? Techie or politician? Fashionista or white collar? You can tailor your listing to these specific individuals and meet their precise needs and wants. Leaving a list of industry-specific points of interest or keeping products and furniture that would match their style goes a long way in attracting these types of business travelers. Help them make the connection between your city and their industry.
Money talks
Corporate Airbnb guests are looking for something unique and convenient, but a lot of the time they are also looking for a unit that costs less than a typical hotel. Price accordingly, but do not lose sight of the balance between cost and amenities offered. Furthermore, try to make offerings that entice your guests to not only book your listing for the nights they need, but maybe extend their stay to further enjoy your Airbnb and your city. Dropping your rates in the outset may be a great way to attract business travelers. After you have received a certain amount of positive reviews you may start increasing your rates.
Dot your I’s and cross your T’s
Before you start purchasing furniture and completely overhauling your place to target the corporate class, make sure to cover your bases. Familiarize yourself with all legal implications concerning an Airbnb listing or short-term lease/rental. Find out if you need to obtain permits or pay taxes on our earnings. Equally important familiarize yourself with your homeowners’ insurance policy and determine if you need to get additional insurance as an Airbnb property is considered a business. Do read Airbnb’s million-dollar insurance guarantee. Making money is great, but preventing the loss of money and property is just as important.
Finally, as it should be with all aspects of your life, be nice and honest in your dealings with your clients. Be a responsive and available Airbnb host for your guest, in case they have questions or concerns. This small act can, in many instances, prevent bad reviews. Remember that business travelers tend to visit the same destinations over and over again. Make your listing a trusted and comfortable place that they can use as a base of operations. Make it their go-to place when in your city.