The Best Airbnb Alternatives in Australia for Hosts

With average Airbnb occupancy rates in Australia remaining steady in recent years, many are either starting their own Airbnb business or looking for ways to improve their existing listings. One key aspect of STR management that people tend to overlook, however, is listing your property on multiple Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). Although Airbnb is still the biggest vacation rental site in Australia, other vacation rental platforms are continuing to grow, with each one targeting different types of travellers. These Airbnb alternatives offer homeowners opportunities to broaden their guest reach, increase listing visibility, and get more bookings.

Learn how to use Airbnb alternatives in Australia as an effective online distribution channel, the risks involved, and how to mitigate these risks below:

What are OTAs?

OTAs, short for Online Travel Agencies, are websites or platforms where guests can book short-term accommodation. They also allow homeowners to list and market their STR properties. Instead of having to market your vacation rental the old-fashioned way, you can advertise through these online distribution channels that enable you to reach travellers from all over the world. In exchange for listing these properties, platforms take a commission from each booking.

While most STR homeowners utilise Airbnb, there are plenty of other booking platforms like Vrbo or Booking.com that can help you reach a wider audience. By listing your property on multiple distribution channels instead of just Airbnb, you can increase your chances of converting a booking.

Why list your STR property on multiple OTAs?

• Increased property visibility: Different travellers search for accommodations on different platforms, so listing your property on multiple Airbnb alternatives gets it more views. Many booking platforms also have digital distribution programs where they put up your property listing on their partner sites, further expanding your reach.
• Target new audiences: Other OTAs outperform Airbnb in certain markets and geographic locations — listing your STR on these platforms can help you reach people who don’t use Airbnb.
• Potential for more bookings: Due to a wider reach, you'll have a higher chance of getting more bookings compared to listing on just one platform.

What are the challenges involved with multichannel listings?

• Learning curve: Each platform will have its own set of processes for listing creation and management. Backend optimisations, including booking settings and amenities, vary by platform, and you’ll need to tailor your property to rank higher on each, as their search algorithms differ. 
• More work: You'll have to check multiple booking platforms to talk to guests, manage your pricing, and check calendars, instead of just Airbnb.
• Risk of double bookings: Calendars don’t automatically sync across channels — you’ll need to proactively manage availability so your properties aren’t double-booked (booked on overlapping dates) on the different platforms.
• Property mismatch: Some platforms are more specific about the types of properties they accept — for example, while Airbnb accepts single rooms and shared spaces, platforms like Vrbo will only rent out entire properties.
• Managing platform fees: Each platform has its own set of fees, which you'll need to account for these variations before you can determine prices for your STR. Insurance policies also differ among booking platforms.

While managing listings on multiple booking websites involves more work, it's worth considering the significant potential to get more bookings and increased revenue for your STR property. If you’re after a hands-free solution, you could explore professional property managers who handle the entire process for you. Hometime offers multi-channel listing creation and more: 

• Property onboarding
• Booking management
• Listing optimisation
• Guest vetting and management
• Dynamic pricing strategy
• Airbnb cleaning and property maintenance

Airbnb Alternatives in Australia

Booking.com

Booking.com is an all-in-one online platform for everything travel-related, from accommodations and car rentals to flights and tours.

• Property types: Private rooms in shared accommodations, entire properties, hotels, and more.
• Total platform fees: 15.5%-18.5%, depending on area
• OTAs: Once you list on Booking.com, your STR property may be pushed to other OTAs in their network like Agoda, Tripadvisor, and Kayak. Listing details published on partner distribution channels use the information you provided on Booking.com.

Vrbo

Short for Vacation Rentals by Owner, Vrbo is an online marketplace for vacation rentals typically geared towards families and large groups.

• Property types: Entire properties only; private rooms in shared accommodations (such as spare rooms and dormitories) are generally not hosted on the platform.
• Total platform fees: 14.2%
• OTAs: Once you list on Vrbo, your STR property may be pushed to other OTAs in their network Expedia, Wotif, Stayz, Trivago, and Hotels.com. Listing details published on partner distribution channels use the information you provided on Vrbo.

Hometime

Hometime is a direct booking site hosting Australia’s largest collection of professionally managed holiday homes. Aside from being a website for guests to book short-term rentals, Hometime also offers full-service short-term rental management services, including multi-channel listing creation.

• Property types: Entire properties only; private rooms in shared accommodations (such as spare rooms and dormitories) are not hosted on the platform.
• Total platform fees: 10%
• OTAs: Once you list with Hometime, your STR property will also be pushed to Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and their associated distribution channels.

Airbnb vs Vrbo vs Booking.com vs Hometime

As the short-term rental market continues to grow, it's important to remember to diversify your STR’s distribution channels — listing your property on multiple platforms is one of the best ways to do this, as it exposes your property to more people in new niches at minimal cost. Take a look at the table below for a direct comparison among booking platforms:

*Airbnb's split fee (hosts pay 3%, guests up to 14.2%) is the most common; The host-only fee (14%–16%) applies to hotels, serviced apartments, property management setups, and hosts who prefer simplified pricing.

If you’d like to find out how you can earn more with Hometime’s multi-channel distribution strategy, get in touch with us.