Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) is one of the largest vacation rental OTAs, owned by Expedia Group and formerly known as HomeAway. Unlike Airbnb, Vrbo focuses exclusively on whole-home rentals rather than shared spaces, making it particularly popular with families and groups seeking private properties. Vrbo's guest demographic tends to skew toward higher-spending family travelers, and its integration with the broader Expedia ecosystem provides additional visibility. For property managers, listing on Vrbo alongside Airbnb diversifies booking sources and reduces reliance on a single platform. Using a channel manager within a PMS like Hostaway ensures availability and pricing stay synchronized between Vrbo and other channels, preventing double bookings.
Why this matters for property managers
This channel reaches a distinct audience of families and groups booking whole homes, guests who often plan further ahead and spend more per stay than the average traveler. Listing here diversifies demand away from any single marketplace, cushioning the business against algorithm shifts or policy changes on another platform. Ignoring it leaves a valuable, higher-value segment on the table, while managing it well can raise both average booking value and calendar coverage in family-oriented markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Vrbo and Airbnb for property managers?
How much does Vrbo charge hosts in commission fees?
How do I improve my Vrbo listing performance?
Can I sync my Vrbo listings with other booking platforms?
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