How to increase your occupancy rate during the low season

For many vacation rental owners, the low season can be... well, a little too quiet. Bookings slow down, income dips, and your perfectly prepared accommodation sits empty more often than you’d like. But what if we told you that the low season doesn’t have to mean low performance?

Here are smart, practical ways to boost your occupancy rate — and how Bookingmood can help along the way.

Adjust your pricing strategy

Pricing is one of the biggest levers you can pull. During low-demand months, guests are often more price-sensitive. Try lowering your base rate slightly or offering discounts for longer stays.

With Bookingmood, you can:

Easily adjust your prices for different dates or seasons
Offer weekly or monthly discounts
Highlight special offers directly in your booking calendar

Tip: Create a “Low Season Deal” banner on your website using Bookingmood’s customizable widgets.

Promote local events & experiences

Just because it’s not peak travel season doesn’t mean your area is boring. Highlight off-season attractions like local festivals, wine tastings, hiking trails, or cultural events.

Consider:

Writing a blog post about “What to do in [Your Area] in [Month]”
Sharing this content via your social media or newsletter
Adding a welcome guide or local tips in your Bookingmood confirmation emails

Offer flexible check-in and check-out times

Guests love flexibility — especially when they’re coming to relax. Offering early check-in or late check-out can give you a competitive edge.

Use Bookingmood to:

Mention these perks clearly in your property description
Set expectations via automated pre-arrival emails

Reach out to past guests

Your previous guests already know what makes your place great — and they might just need a little nudge to return. Send them a personal message or a seasonal promo code.

With Bookingmood, you can:

Export guest data securely
Segment guests by previous booking dates
Automate follow-up emails with personal touches

Focus on direct bookings

The low season is a great time to reduce your reliance on commission-heavy platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. A professional, easy-to-navigate booking website can make all the difference.

Luckily, Bookingmood helps you:

Create a branded booking page in minutes
Sync your availability calendar across platforms (iCal sync)
Get more control over your pricing, policies, and guest communication

Stay visible — even when it’s quiet

The off-season is the perfect time to boost your SEO and online presence. Blog posts, updated listings, and fresh content can help your property get discovered when the high season returns.

The low season doesn’t have to be a low point. With the right tactics and a smart tool like Bookingmood, you can keep bookings flowing — even when the crowds fade.

Want to try it yourself?

Start your free Bookingmood trial today