2009-10-27 20:14:15 - Special incentives, information and social tools provided for traveling public in one-month celebration of “togethering” under one roof.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (October 27, 2009) – “Togethering” topics remain a priority through 2010 as more people across North America seek meaningful ways to reconnect with family, friends and spouses – especially when on vacation.* In line with the growth of these priorities, vacation rentals are increasing in popularity with record-high reviews, allowing guests to stay underneath one roof for less than the cost of reserving hotel rooms. For the 90 percent of U.S. adults** who have yet to experience what has been labeled as a best-kept travel secret, “Discover Vacation Homes,” the trusted public voice of the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), designates November 2009 as North America’s first-annual International Vacation Rental Awareness Month.

For the first time, parents,

grandparents, partners and best friends will have easy access to valuable tools, resources and the inspiration to discover how to stay together on their next trip for less, including:

TIPS AND INFORMATION

A multitude of general topics, tips and resources will be available online at www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com throughout November, including answers to frequently asked questions, debunking the top vacation rental myths, as well as planning tips, 10 secrets to saving on travel with vacation rentals, the option’s advantages over hotels, tips for choosing the right vacation rental, lists of travelers’ testimonials and more.

The site’s regional map will also allow visitors to connect for the first time with the most reputable professional vacation rental management companies across Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and the United States, representing approximately 150,000 available rentals when combined.

VACATION RENTAL SPECIALS

Staying together will also be made more affordable beginning in November, when www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com will list all of the travel specials offered by members of the VRMA across North America. Special rates and packages include a variety of multiple-bedroom vacation home, condo and villa rentals through the fall, winter, holiday and spring seasons. Travel opportunities include regions from mountains to beaches, adventure hotspots to theme park capitals and everything in-between, including options for trips through mid-2010.

WAYS TO CONNECT WITH SOCIAL TOOLS ONLINE

Making it easier for vacationers to ask questions, connect with past vacation rental guests, view and share travel photos and more, “Discover Vacation Homes” has also launched a Twitter profile and Facebook page for the traveling public in November’s honor. Twitter users can direct questions about the category to @GoVacationHomes for knowledgeable and personal responses by experts on the category, and Facebook visitors can utilize a public discussion board, post past vacation rental reviews and browse and post vacation rental images among other interactions now available at www.Facebook.com/DiscoverVacationHomes.

“Despite the increased attention brought to vacation rentals in recent years, the majority of travelers remain unaware of the option and its benefits,” explains Alex Risser, President of the VRMA. “Almost nine in 10 past vacation rental guests would rent again in three years, and would recommend the option to friends and relatives. Once travelers try vacation rentals for the first time, the satisfaction rate is incredibly high.”

Wanita McPherson, a past vacation rental guest from Oregon, states that the best part of staying in a vacation rental is being closer to her family and having the space to spread out. “If people had any idea about this, they would never stay in a hotel.”

ABOUT DISCOVER VACATION HOMES
Discover Vacation Homes is the trusted public voice and an expert resource on behalf of the professionally managed vacation rental industry. As the awareness initiative of the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), it represents approximately 150,000 rental homes, condos and villas from more than 500 of the most well established vacation rental management companies in North America and the Caribbean. Often costing less than a single hotel room, vacation rentals afford travelers an accommodations lifestyle unlike any other, providing considerably more space, amenities, guest services, and privacy than other lodging options.

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* Ypartnership / Yankelovich, Inc. 2009 Travel MONITOR (SM)
** PhoCusWright’s Vacation Rental Marketplace: Poised for Change