Finding success when it’s slow

Even the most popular listings have quiet periods with fewer bookings. Here are some ways you can use Airbnb hosting tools to help attract guests during slower times.

Adjusting your price regularly can help you stay competitive. Consider doing the following on the schedule that works for you:

• Add a custom weekend price. If you offer the same price every night, you might set a different price for weekdays than for Friday and Saturday nights. Varying pricing based on the night can help maximise your bookings.
• Compare similar listings. Listings with prices lower than similar listings nearby tend to rank higher in search results. Consider adjusting your nightly rate compared to booked and unbooked listings in your area.

Go to your listing’s calendar and select a date range of up to 31 days to see the average prices of similar listings on a map of your area. The factors that determine which properties are similar include location, size, features, amenities, ratings, reviews and the other listings guests browse while considering yours.

‘I do keep an eye on listings that are similar to mine so I can make sure that I’m competitively priced’, says Katie, a Host Advisory Board member and Superhost in Palm Springs, California, USA. ‘It’s important to be flexible during slower times if you really want to get people into your listing.’

Discounts for stays that are seven nights or longer can help improve your search ranking and reduce turnovers, while shorter stays can help fill gaps in your calendar.

• Add a weekly discount. Guests see a special callout in search results and on your listing page for discounts of 10% or more. Your discounted price appears next to your original one, which is crossed out.
• Lower your trip minimum. You can customise your trip minimum by day of the week. If demand is higher on the weekends, you might allow one-night stays during the middle of the week but not when guests book a Friday or Saturday night.

‘During the slower periods, I will definitely reduce my minimum night stay and that helps me attract people who are maybe just coming through for a few nights’, says Felicity, a Superhost in Sydney, Australia.

Refreshing your listing details helps set clear expectations and gives guests more confidence to book your home, especially during slower periods.

• Create a photo tour. Airbnb’s tool automatically sorts your uploaded images by room to help guests understand the layout of your home. You can move, remove and add photos, add details to each room, and write captions for each photo.
• Add clear checkout instructions. Explain what’s essential for guests to do before they leave, like locking up. Anyone can read these before they book, and more guests book listings with checkout instructions. Guests have told us they prefer a short checkout list, so consider keeping tasks to a minimum.

Hundreds of Host clubs around the world help Airbnb hosts connect and learn from one another. We’ve seen that members of these local clubs earn twice as much as hosts who are not club members,* and they’re nearly three times as likely to be Superhosts.**

Popular club activities include:

• Exchanging hosting tips that could help boost earnings
• Discussing short-term rental regulations
• Sharing reliable local services, such as cleaners and plumbers
• Attending exclusive networking events

*According to internal Airbnb data, when comparing average earnings and average ratings of global Airbnb Host club members versus the entire global host population from September 2022 to September 2023. Earnings data vary depending on location, seasonality and listing type.

**According to internal Airbnb data on Superhost status for hosts who joined from July 2023 to July 2024.

You control your pricing and other settings at all times. Your results may vary.

Hosts were paid for their participation in interviews.

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.