How to manage my tourist apartment during and after the coronavirus quarantine

The current quarantine situation has put tourist apartment owners around the world in a difficult position. Our country is no exception, and as an owner, you likely have many doubts about how to act in this situation. It is undeniable that tourism suffers much more than other sectors during a crisis. But that does not mean that all is lost, far from it. After all, knowing how to manage tourist apartments during times of crisis to navigate them as best as possible and minimise their impact is the task of every expert in tourist apartment rentals. To help you through this difficult situation, here are 10 tips that will help you better navigate the quarantine period and the subsequent recovery of the tourism sector.

1. Accept that there will be a loss of clients during the coronavirus quarantine

We know, it's not the advice you want to hear as an apartment owner, but it's something that the sooner it's said, the better. All tourist apartments will suffer a considerable decrease in their expected occupancy due to the quarantine. Although some people may still travel for work or necessity, the vast majority of people will not be able to. Therefore, accepting that tourism takes a hard hit during a crisis is the first thing you need to keep in mind. At this moment, it's about trying to minimise the effect of the quarantine on the bottom line.

2. Reduce rental prices

The number of available tourist apartments is much higher than in other periods. Therefore, lowering the price and applying special offers —for example, for doctors who need to move to other areas— can be an opportunity to maintain part of the occupancy that cancellations caused by the coronavirus and quarantine.

3. Extreme hygiene precautions as a reassuring factor

At the moment, an essential differentiating factor is hygiene and cleanliness. Although this is already taken for granted in all tourist apartments, it will be very useful to make it clear that extra measures are being taken to sanitise the apartment before the next occupancy.

4. Offer free extras adapted to the current context

Adding cleaning and hygiene products such as hand sanitiser or personal protection of any kind —gloves or masks purchased at a pharmacy— are accessories that people who must move around the country will greatly appreciate. This simple gesture will provide peace of mind to the tenant during their stay in the apartment by saving them the trouble of having to look for these basic products in a new city.

5. Take advantage to make renovations and automate your home

One of the keys to knowing how to manage tourist apartments correctly is to take advantage of the absence of tenants. Quarantine is a good opportunity to carry out the necessary works to improve the apartment. At this moment, it is still possible to carry out this type of work during the quarantine, making it the best occasion to renovate the bathroom or install a state-of-the-art lock that improves the use of the tourist apartment once the current crisis passes.

6. Redecorate and adapt the apartment

In addition to improvement works, you can also take advantage of the time to think, plan, and purchase the necessary furniture and accessories to redecorate the apartment. This way, we take advantage of not having active occupancy.

7. Make your rates flexible

The risk of a new coronavirus outbreak can generate doubts and insecurity for tourists when booking a trip. Offer them flexible cancellation policies and minimum stays to provide convenience to your guests.

8. Stay alert for possible aid for the tourism sector

Currently, there is sectorial aid for freelancers and SMEs that need financing through ICO loans. But as the situation is so variable and changing right now, new aid that you can apply for cannot be ruled out.

9. Reconsider the tourist rental model

The uncertainty about the duration of the coronavirus and the recovery of tourism after quarantine leads to thinking —even if temporarily— about changing the desired tenant for the property. Many owners are changing their rental advertisements for their tourist apartments to others focused on long-term tenants. Sacrificing some profitability in exchange for achieving income stability. We recommend reading about What to do if I want to rent my holiday apartment all year round?

10. Offer the apartment to healthcare professionals and personnel who need it to curb the advance of the coronavirus during quarantine

Finally, if no tenants appear due to the quarantine, there is the option of offering it to professionals who are working hard against the effects of the coronavirus in any branch. Many times these professionals must move to other cities where they are urgently needed. There are owners who offer their apartments to them for free or for a symbolic price that covers the expenses of the apartment. As you can see, even in a crisis like this, with more and more countries in quarantine, it is possible to find a way to make the most of it. Perhaps losses cannot always be avoided, but at least they can be reduced or the moment can be used to carry out other activities that will help recover the investment made in the future.‍

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