How One Property Manager Secured $50k in Direct Bookings in Just 6 Months

Overview

In August, we onboarded one of our early testers—a local Property Management Company and co-host managing fourteen short-term rental listings. Most of these listings operated on a profit-share basis, with the company handling all bookings and cleaning services in exchange for a share of the profits.

Over the next six months, leveraging a straightforward yet powerful strategy, this client secured $50,000 in direct bookings and significantly boosted their occupancy rate.

The Challenge

Initially, the client had no dedicated brand, website, or direct booking infrastructure. Reliance on OTAs meant hefty commissions and missed opportunities to build direct relationships with guests. Additionally, local occupancy rates had dropped significantly due to a broader slowdown in tourism.

Our Goal

The objective was clear: reduce OTA dependency, increase direct bookings, and significantly improve profitability and operational efficiency.

Our Strategy

• Brand Creation (~1 week): Developed a memorable name, acquired a suitable domain, and designed a professional logo and cohesive visual identity.
• Hostibly Direct Booking Website (~2 weeks): Implemented a user-friendly, mobile-optimized booking website highlighting properties’ unique selling points.
• Activate Existing Networks: Proactively reached out to past guests and local contacts, promoting the direct booking option.
• Optimize OTA Presence: Added branded watermarks to OTA-listed property images to encourage direct searches and traffic.

Results Achieved

• $50,000 generated from direct bookings within six months.
• Occupancy increased from 60% to 80%.
• Expanded from 14 to 25 listings, fueled by brand recognition and owner referrals.
• Enhanced profitability through longer-term bookings, significantly reducing operational overhead.

Key Insights

Discounts for extended stays significantly improved occupancy and delivered higher net profitability. Building a strong brand isn't just about having a good logo or website—it's about providing genuine value and creating lasting relationships with guests.

Conclusion

This case study clearly illustrates the immense value and profitability that a focused direct booking strategy can bring. Through Hostibly’s direct booking solution, our client significantly reduced their reliance on costly OTAs, increased their cash flow, and firmly established their brand in the local marketplace—in just six months.