Summer 2018 in the Books

Ready for some good news? Americans are traveling again! After two slower years, 68% of Americans traveled again this summer vs. 61% in 2016. Summer travel has rebounded nicely over the past two years as an improved labor market, wage growth, and tax cuts have all led to increased consumer confidence. While budgets have remained relatively flat, these positive economic factors have led to an increase in consumers’ discretionary purchasing power, affording more Americans the ability to take summer vacations this year. With budgets not growing, 46% of Americans chose to stay within the US for travel, up 5% over 2017.

As for the itripvacations Alabama Beach territory, the news is good too. We wrapped up the busy 2018 summer season with overall revenue and occupancy up over last year. We made significant investments this year in several areas that have proven successful, all without passing along any added expenses to owners. We added two more booking sites - ECBYO.com (Emerald Coast By Owner) and Booking.com and we have been very pleased with the results. We also increased our marketing spend significantly. On social media alone, we spent over 900% more in 2018 than we have in previous years. We added three team members this year, Katelyn, Will, & Hollis, without any turnover from last summer. We invested in elevating the guest experience with guest giveaways, treating guests to beach photo shoots and sand castle building classes, and delivering cakes, balloons and signed cards to guests celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and honeymoons. With the investment into the texting service, communication was a huge win for us this summer. We were able to communicate with our guests, and they with us, in the way that was most convenient for them, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

All in all, the summer rental season of 2018 was a good one. We are extremely pleased with the results we have seen from all of the investments we have made recently in our business. We have more new projects in the works, and we are excited for the future. Stay tuned!