If you’ve traveled via vacation ownership for some time, you know that in order to secure your dream trip each year, it’s important to plan ahead. Historically, timeshare owners book vacations well in advance – as in a year prior to departure, or even further out than that. So what does this mean for next year? 

Travel in 2021

If you’re accustomed to booking your timeshare stays far in advance, you may already be wondering how to navigate a future rental. As many events were canceled this year and the world looks forward to a vaccine, travelers are anticipating a safer events landscape in late spring and summer of 2021. Many of our most recent bookings have been around these newly-rescheduled events. Points owners in particular have the opportunity to create a listing that satisfies the demand our team is seeing from event-based travelers. Contact our team to learn how you can create a listing that lines up with 2021 demand.

Winter Wilderness Retreats

First up, a look into current travel rhythms. For those choosing to travel in this season, sights are set on drivable destinations along the East Coast. From the Smoky Mountains up through New England, timeshares offer cozy, scenic havens as fall foliage meets winter wonderland. 

And with plenty of room for socially-distanced exploring, plus hunkering down back at home base, KOALA travelers have actually been requesting to extend their timeshare stays beyond their original booking dates. If you’re a points owner, you can possibly help facilitate these requests.

Timeshares are Aligned with Traveling in The ‘New Normal’ 

However, for many it will be some time before there’s peace of mind engaging with crowds and public gatherings. This is where staying in a resort timeshare can offer a lot of value, beyond just the booking price. On the accommodations front, timeshares offer benefits aplenty for the discerning traveler, like professional cleaning protocols, fully-equipped kitchens to cook nutritious meals, and in-suite washers and dryers.

And for business travelers considering rescheduled conferences in mid-to-late 2021, timeshare’s multi-room suites and reliable Wifi provide room for remote work, and virtual breakout sessions, during one’s stay. As the conference industry also prepares for post-COVID implementations (think hybrid in-person and digital events, and boxed meals versus buffets), resort timeshares can offer a pragmatic – and comforting – home away from home.

Flexible Cancellations Will Be Key

Most importantly, travelers want the confidence of knowing that should they feel uneasy about their 2021 plans in any way, they can cancel for a full refund. When you create your rental listing, you can choose from three tiers of cancellation for your guest: flexible, moderate, and strict.

Our flexible cancellation policy offers the most support to travelers considering a 2021 booking, as guests can cancel for a full refund up to 72 hours before their check-in. Though it’s up to you to decide on your listing’s cancellation policy, know that those with a flexible cancellation policy will be the most attractive to travelers.

As temperatures cool and the holidays arrive, be sure to check out our COVID tracker for real-time insight into regional health data surrounding your resort. And our customer success team is here to help you look towards the future, and create considerate and responsible rental opportunities. Give us a call at 1-833-KOALA-CO.