If your rental is getting views but not bookings, the problem might not be your property but your messaging. One of the easiest ways to fix that is by understanding who you're speaking to. Not in a vague, "my guests are families" kind of way, but by creating clear, detailed travel personas.
A travel persona is a simple profile that describes the kind of guest most likely to book your place. It includes things like why they travel, what they value, what frustrates them, and what makes them say "yes" to a listing. Once you define these, everything from your photos to your listing title becomes sharper and more effective.
Let's walk through why travel personas matter and how to build ones that actually help you attract the right guests.
Why Travel Personas Matter for Hosts
Not every guest is looking for the same thing. A remote worker needs a strong desk setup and good Wi-Fi. A young family wants safety features and a washer-dryer. A group of friends might care more about outdoor seating and a hot tub.
If you try to appeal to everyone, you'll end up sounding generic. But when your listing speaks directly to a specific type of traveler, it becomes more relatable and more likely to get booked.
Travel personas also help with:
- Deciding which photos to lead with
- Writing stronger, more specific listing descriptions
- Choosing what to highlight in your amenities
- Creating better social media or email content
- Making small upgrades that actually matter to your guests
Step 1: Look at Your Past Guests
If you've already hosted people, this step is easy. Think about:
- Who books most often?
- Who leaves the best reviews?
- Who seems happiest with the space as it is?
Write down what these guests had in common. Were they families? Couples? Remote workers? Pet owners? How long did they stay? What did they mention in their reviews?
If you're just getting started and haven't hosted yet, think about who your space is naturally best suited for. Is it near kid-friendly attractions? Does it have reliable Wi-Fi and a desk setup? Is the layout better for couples than large groups? Start with what makes sense for your home and location.
Step 2: Build 2–3 Clear Profiles
You don't need to create a dozen personas. Two or three is enough.
Here's a simple format you can use for each one:
Name: (just for fun, to keep them distinct)
Travel style: Solo, couple, family, group
Trip type: Vacation, workcation, event, weekend away
Goals: What they're hoping to experience
Frustrations: What they try to avoid when booking
What they look for in a rental: Must-haves and nice-to-haves
Example:
Name: Lauren the Remote Worker
Travel style: Solo or with partner
Trip type: Workcation (1–4 weeks)
Goals: Wants quiet, fast Wi-Fi, and places to explore after work
Frustrations: No desk, poor lighting, vague Wi-Fi claims
Looks for: Strong internet, desk or table with outlet, smart TV, nearby coffee shops or nature trails
You can build similar personas for families with young kids, adventure seekers, retirees, pet owners, and more.
Step 3: Use These Personas in Your Listing
Once you have your profiles, use them to update your vacation rental property listing. Think about how your title, description, and amenities speak to each persona.
- Your listing title: Make it specific. Instead of "Charming Cabin Near Trails," try "Remote-Worker Friendly Cabin with Fast Wi-Fi + Desk Near Hiking."
- Your first photo: Match it to your main audience. If your ideal guest is a couple looking to unplug, start with a cozy shot of your outdoor seating area, not the full exterior.
- Your description: Talk like you're speaking directly to that guest. Mention what matters to them: "Set up for remote work with fast 2GB internet and a designated desk area," or "Includes high chair, baby gate, and washer-dryer for families."
- Your amenities list: Make sure the things they care about are mentioned and easy to find. And if you added upgrades with your personas in mind, highlight those changes.
Step 4: Tailor Your Social Media and Email Content
If you're using social media or email to promote your rental, travel personas help you create content that connects. Instead of vague posts like "Escape to nature this fall," try something more focused:
- "Need a change of scenery while working remotely? This cabin has strong Wi-Fi, a desk with a view, and trails to explore on your lunch break."
- "Parents: This beach house has a fully stocked kitchen, blackout curtains in the kids' room, and beach toys so you don't have to bring extra bags."
Your content becomes more useful and more shareable when it reflects a real person's needs.
Step 5: Make Small Changes That Have Big Impact
Once you define your personas, you'll likely see a few small changes you can make to better serve those guests.
- Hosting digital nomads? Add a lamp and a power strip near the main table.
- Attracting pet owners? Install a gate at the porch or note the nearest dog park.
- Getting lots of families? Add safety features, a high chair, or blackout curtains.
These upgrades don't have to cost much. But when they match what your ideal guest actually wants, they pay off in better reviews and repeat bookings.
Why Houfy Works Well With Travel Personas
Houfy gives hosts more control over how they present their space. You're not locked into generic formatting or limited to a few photos—you can write detailed descriptions, use clear headers, and speak directly to the guests you want to attract.
Plus, with Houfy's direct booking model, you can build relationships with your guests and use their feedback to refine your personas even further. If you want to improve your rental marketing without spending money on ads or fancy tools, start here. Create two to three clear travel personas, update your listing to match them, and build from there.
