As with all aspects of the “sharing economy”, the vacation rental industry certainly lives up to this idea. There is an ever-increasing bank of resources for owners, managers and even travelers themselves to ask questions, find answers, share relevant information and stay up-to-date with the latest industry news.
One of these resources that owners and travelers should be utilizing? LinkedIn Groups.
There are already plenty of LinkedIn Groups that have been created with the industry’s needs in mind. In no particular order, here’s a rundown of our favorites for vacation rental professionals to join!
1. Vacation Rental Professionals – The Vacation Rentals Group
A professional space with more than 9,000 members from all continents and dozens of countries. Here users open discussions, share information, provide peer-to-peer support and create a community based around products like vacation rentals and vacation homes, holiday rentals, cottage rentals, Airbnbs, hosted accommodations and other types of “home style” accommodation for holiday or vacation use.
Managed by: Eric Mason, over 20 years of experience in the Hospitality business
Number of members: 12.634
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/69889
2. Vacation Rental Managers Association (Official)
This is the LinkedIn Group of the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA). The VRMA was founded in 1985 and is an international, professional trade association of the VR property management and hospitality industries.
Managed by: Kevin Hurley, Marketing Director at VRMA
Number of members: 6.040
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/1218567
3. Vacation Rental Distribution and Marketing
In this group, members discuss their most successful marketing tactics and distribution channels which can help generate extra bookings for property managers. Most discussion is based around vacation rentals and vacation homes, plus other types of holiday home-style accommodation.
Managed by: Alex Aydin, CEO at BookingPal
Number of members: 1.192
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/6737826
4. Vacation Rentals Worldwide
This group connects companies and individuals that are in the vacation rental and holiday home industry. They discuss the obstacles, advantages and possibilities for growth being in this business brings.
Managed by: Ashwin Kedia, more than 20 years of experience in the industry
Number of members: 4.350
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/88725
5. Vacation Rental News and Information
In this LinkedIn group, industry professionals share trending news stories and updates about or related to short-term rental properties.
Managed by: Emily Thompson, over 5 years experience in SEO/SEM for Vacation Rentals & Real Estate markets
Number of members: 2.989
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/115167
6. Vacation Homes, Apartment Rentals & The Internet
There is no denying the internet has reshaped the travel industry. Every day, new accommodation websites and online travel agencies are popping up, and this group is designed to help out the owner. Bringing together a large group of owners and operators is one of the best ways to learn: from each other. Recommend best practices and warn others about dangers of the internet for this industry.
Managed by: Ashwin Kamlani, President of RoomKnights and former CEO of Regatta Travel Solutions
Number of members: 2.187
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/2741368
7. VRBO
A forum for independent vacation rental owners, in this LinkedIn Group you’ll find that professionals share useful content, news and tips about everything to do with renting a vacation home.
Managed by: Van Woods, VRBO owner
Number of members: 2.191
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/1832223
8. Vacation Rental Sales & Marketing
An online space for industry professionals to share (and learn from one another) their winning sales and marketing techniques.
Managed by: Eric Mason
Number of members: 1.509
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/2337130
9. Vacation Rentals Professional Association
Independent owners and managers looking to develop their businesses can ask for advice or share their insights with almost 2,000 other professionals in this LinkedIn Group.
Managed by: Cristophe Angeleau, CEO of Portugal Immobilier
Number of members: 2.220
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/118121
10. AVROA
AVROA, or Association Of Vacation Rental Operators & Affiliates, is an independent organization made especially for the good of VR owners and managers. Focusing on industry knowledge, education and collaboration, AVROA believes owners are stronger together.
Managed by: Rodney Fitts, President at The Associations of Vacation Rental Operators and Affiliates
Number of members: 531
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/8463498
11. Vacation Rentals
With almost 4,000 members and counting, vacation rental owners and managers can come together in this group to discuss insider industry issues and speak the truth about the vacation rental industry in a friendly community setting.
Managed by: Miki Mo, CEO at BestTravelWebsites.com
Number of members: 3.682
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/881917
12. Travel & Tourism Industry Professionals Worldwide
More than 272,000 members make this group the largest of its kind on LinkedIn. Professionals from around the world use this group for networking, knowledge sharing, business discussions, career advice and advertising or responding to job opportunities.
Managed by: Harish Jain, Founder of Green Rootz
Number of members: 282.697
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/90576
13. Travel & Hospitality Forum – Hotels, Tourism, Luxury, Wellness, Food, Spa
This group has hundreds of thousands of members, and discussion topics range from spas to food – just about everything to do with the travel industry. While it’s not specific to vacation rentals, owners can actually learn a lot about managing their rentals from hotels.
Managed by: Barak Hirschowitz, President of International Luxury Hotel Association
Number of members: 313.166
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/108417
14. Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Group
A LinkedIn Group for all kinds of people actively involved in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Conversations in this network tend to include: Airlines, Tour Operators, Cruise Lines, Hotels, Car Rental, Travel Technology companies, Tourist Boards etc.
Managed by: Renee-Marie Stephano, Founder and President of the Medical Tourism Association
Number of members: 128,377
Link to group: linkedin.com/groups/25007/
Are we missing any LinkedIn Groups you think deserve to be on the list? Leave us a comment and we’ll be happy to add them in!
