Get Ready for National Book Direct Day!

From the bright lights of Broadway to the rolling waves of Panama City Beach, Nautical Properties provides visitors with exceptional vacation rentals in some of the most popular markets in the country. Now that the holidays are behind us, many are already planning their spring break getaways to these popular destinations.

If you haven’t started to think about your next trip, that’s ok! That means there’s still time to tell you about National Book Direct Day!

National Book Direct Day happens every February on the first Wednesday of the month. On this day, you’re likely to come across tons of property management companies and owners filling social media with #BookDirect. It’s a day when folks like us at Nautical Properties can educate guests about the advantages of booking their vacations directly instead of with online travel agencies (OTAs).

With a few weeks left before the big day, this month’s blog is here to give you all the helpful info that will guarantee you’re ready to get the best deals on your 2025 vacations. Check out the details below and start picturing yourself in a Nautical Properties vacation rental today!

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What is National Book Direct Day?

In 2018, Amy Hinote, founder of VRM Intel, put #BookDirect on Twitter for the first time. The campaign aimed to inform guests that there was a better way to reserve a vacation rental and relay the perks of booking direct compared to places like Airbnb or Vrbo.

The response to the campaign was tremendous, with many customers saying they had no idea the benefits they were missing by going through a third party.

Since its first year, the campaign has grown, becoming a national holiday in the vacation rental space, leading to more and more converts every year.

Why Does Booking Directly with a Property Manager Matter?

The short answer is: Money. Did you know every time you book a vacation rental on an OTA, you’re overpaying? In fact, that same house you just found on Airbnb can be found on the property manager’s site, often for a lot less.

This is because OTAs charge a commission fee, not just from you… but also from the property manager. So the property manager doesn’t lose money on the booking, they have to raise the price of their OTA listings. This means you’re losing money each time you don’t book directly.

Other reasons why booking direct is the best choice:

Flexible and Understanding

When you bypass the OTA and go directly to the property manager, you get the huge perk of working with a personal team, which can lead to a much smoother and more accommodating experience. 

Need some wiggle room with check-in or check-out time? Need to extend your stay for some reason? Or maybe you need to cancel at the last minute due to a family emergency. OTAs often have rigid policies their employees have to adhere to. But when you go directly to the property manager, it’s far more likely they’ll have the flexibility to accommodate your requests.

More Choices on Inventory

While OTAs may seem like they have the largest inventory, you’re not seeing the whole picture. Think about it. If you’re the property manager and you have a stash of phenomenal homes so great they don’t need help getting booked… why would you put them on an OTA where you have to pay a fee if they get booked?

The best of the best vacation rentals are often never included in Airbnb or Vrbo, so if those are the only sites you’re using, you could be missing out on the true gems of an area. 

Speaking of gems of an area, be sure to check out our Panama City Beah vacation rentals and our Nashville vacation rentals while you’re here! 

Direct Communication

We all know the stress of waiting to talk to a representative or customer support person only to be transferred to multiple departments and eventually have the call drop and have to start all over again.

At these large OTA companies, their support personnel are spread across the entire globe. The person on the other end may have never even heard of Panama City Beach. Not only does this make fixing issues harder, but it removes a bit of empathy for your experience as the guest.

When you book directly with a property management company, you’ll be working directly with their in-house staff. That means you’ll have a direct line of communication with a real person who understands your rental and the area, allowing your needs to be met faster and with more efficiency and quality. 

Local Perks

Once again, the local aspect benefits the guest. Do you need recommendations on the best tours to take or the best restaurants to visit? Your contact at the property management company has a wealth of insider knowledge they’re happy to share. Plus, many independent businesses often partner with each other, providing discounts to each other’s clients.

Be sure to ask your Nautical Properties expert for their recommendations during your stay!

Prioritized Service

While every guest is treated with the same respect and hospitality, there are definitely some benefits that direct bookers can experience that folks from an OTA may not get. An example could be a double booking issue—property management companies are more likely to side with the customer who came directly to them than one who came from a third party simply because they can track the full booking process from their direct customer.

Additionally, to our previous point about communication, if you have any issues during your stay, you could be right back in that annoying customer service loop. However, if you book directly with Nautical Properties, you’ll receive emails and personalized communication that gives you an easy way to connect should you need anything during your trip.

Book Your Next Vacation Rental Directly with Nautical Properties

Armed with all the info on National Book Direct Day, the only thing left to do is choose where you’ll go this year! Whether it’s the white sand shores of PCB or the lively streets of Music City, we’ve got the perfect place for you.

Take a look at all of our Nashville and PCB vacation rentals and book your stay directly today! When you do, be sure to let us know if this is your first time booking directly! Special offers for return visitors or a connection to discounted prices could be in your future!

Looking for fun things to do during your vacation in PCB or Nashville? Check out our blog and our Nashville Area Guide and Panama City Beach Area Guide.