If the COVID-19 pandemic has given us anything, it's a newfound disdain for crowded hotel lobbies, recirculated air and self-service buffets with *shiver* shared utensils. Enter the Vacation rental, an alternative accommodation option that features wide-open spaces, kid-friendly amenities and an increased level of privacy (all while exuding that special "home sweet home" feeling).

But do vacation rentals offer benefits for Travel advisors? In the past, agents often avoided this option due to many companies' direct-to-consumer booking processes and a lack of consistent quality assurance between properties.

"When the concept [of vacation rentals] first came out, the major players did not want to involve the travel advisor community," said Carolyn Sandgren of Elite Travel Inc. in Cape Girardeau, Mo. "In my opinion, we were set up at odds with homeowners, as well as the emerging players. We lost many clients over the years because we did not have a revenue stream or partner for the home rental market."

But a spike in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic began to change the tide, with several companies seeing the benefits of teaming up with travel professionals.

Here are a few such companies to keep in mind for multigenerational groups.

Vacasa

Vacasa, one of North America's leading vacation management platforms, manages rentals in more than 400 destinations across North America, Costa Rica and Belize, with local on-the-ground teams to help clients if problems should arise.

Lately, the company has seen significant growth in its tour and travel partnership program for Travel Advisors, and Leah Musacchio, director of group and tour sales for Vacasa, believes "there's a big opportunity for agents to capitalize on right now."

"For many reasons, vacation rentals are the one sector of the travel industry that boomed during the pandemic, and we see that trend continuing well into the future," she said. "It's a hot product."

Vacasa manages its properties on behalf of their owners, so clients will have access to professionally managed, whole-dwelling rentals, rather than just a portion of the home or a smaller "ADU" (accessory dwelling unit). Additionally, advisors can filter out homes based on size or destination, and choose from hundreds of family-friendly amenities (twin-size bed configurations for the kids, pet-friendly policies, ground-level bedrooms for grandparents, on-site pools, etc.).

To become a partner with Vacasa, travel advisors must fill out an online questionnaire on Vacasa's website and submit their travel agency credentials to start receiving commission payouts.

Vacasa

RELATED: Expedia Group Sells Classic Vacations

VillaKey

If travel advisors have clients heading to Orlando, Fla., VillaKey's portfolio of rentals should be on their radars.
The company, which is headquartered in Celebration, Fla., features homes with close access to theme parks and special amenities for families living with Autism.

And business has been booming since the pandemic began, with booked guest nights up 226% over last year, according to Alice Horn, CEO of VillaKey.

Advisors can filter for "Autism Approved" rental properties, all of which feature a quiet location, soft lighting, neutral colors, fragrance-free cleaning products, a security fence on the pool, softer sheets and an allowance for service animals.

"For families living with Autism, choosing a vacation rental helps families limit loud noises and other stimuli that can be stressful for their child," Horn said. "Staying in a home environment is welcoming, calm and familiar for kids on the spectrum, and for all members of the family."

VillaKey also prides itself on high-touch, personalized customer service and the ability to provide a value-oriented option for families.

"VillaKey provides an email for us to request quotes, and they are extremely prompt in providing several options," said Angela Zizak, travel planner at Smart Moms Travel and a VillaKey client. "Advantages include a quieter, private and larger space. Some homes have Disney decor, which kids love. They also save money both in terms of rental costs and meals."

VillaKey

Vrbo, in Partnership With Classic Vacations

Another travel agent-friendly player in the rental space is Expedia's Vrbo. Recently, wholesale tour operator Classic Vacations, which offers vacation packages around the world, partnered with Vrbo to offer its rental inventory, and a 5% commission payout, to travel advisor partners.

"We started thinking about a Vrbo partnership in 2018, prepandemic," said Amy Logan, senior director of online platforms for Classic Vacations. "Vacation rentals were becoming increasingly popular, and we wondered if travel advisors would be interested in selling this type of product."

Heather Travis, senior travel consultant and president at Denver, Colo.-based Globe Getaways, believes this partnership fills a major need in the marketplace.

"I had been looking for a reasonably priced rental home solution for clients and hadn't found the answer with the more expensive options," she said. "Before Classic began offering Vrbo options, I would spin my wheels checking a dozen sites looking for that perfect option, and would typically come up empty-handed."

Unlike booking a traditional hotel package through Classic's call center, advisors book Vrbo completely online, Logan says, and will be covered by Vrbo's "Book With Confidence Guarantee."

Elite Travel Inc.'s Sandgren has also found success with the pair when booking for her Midwest clientele.

"With the vaccine and more destinations opening up, and as unfortunate as this sounds, COVID-19 being a daily part of our lives, people are more open to a variety of stays," she said.

Two additional advantages stand out to Sandgren when it comes to vacation rentals for families, in particular: space and safety.

"Allowing your kids to run around in your own home or fenced yard has less interaction with random guests than you would have at a hotel," she said. "As a mother of two, I can promise you I always was on guard when we vacationed in a resort."

"[At traditional high-end hotels,] adjoining rooms for grandparents are not always guaranteed, and without a separate living area, parents have nowhere to go when their little ones head to bed early," added Classic's Logan. "Your clients might find a worn piece of furniture or a noisy dishwasher, but hopefully they'll come home remembering the privacy, extra space and convenience of their rental."

Classic Vacations

Vrbo