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Reporting

What is a Pace Report?

Updated 2026-05-28

A pace report is a forecasting tool in the vacation rental industry that measures the rate at which bookings are made for a specific future period. It compares key metrics like occupancy, revenue, and average daily rate (ADR) against data from the same point in time in a previous year or against a set budget.

This analysis helps managers gauge current booking performance relative to historical trends, indicating whether they are "on pace," "pacing ahead," or "pacing behind." The insights gained are fundamental for making timely adjustments to pricing and marketing strategies.

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How it works

A pace report works by compiling booking data for a future date range (e.g., the upcoming summer season) as it stands today. It then pulls the equivalent data from one or more previous years for the same future period, but as it was recorded on this exact day in the past.

For instance, on April 1st, 2024, the report would show bookings for July 2024 and compare them to the bookings for July 2023 as they were recorded on April 1st, 2023. The report typically breaks down data by month or week, highlighting variances in occupancy, booked nights, and revenue, allowing managers to see performance trends develop.

Why it matters

A pace report provides an early warning system for revenue management. By identifying if bookings are lagging behind previous years, managers can proactively launch promotions, adjust minimum stay requirements, or increase marketing spend to stimulate demand.

Conversely, if pacing is significantly ahead, it might indicate that rates are too low, presenting an opportunity to increase prices for remaining availability and maximize revenue. This forward-looking analysis is essential for strategic decision-making and avoiding reactive, last-minute pricing adjustments.

Examples

  • A property manager for a beach house reviews a pace report in March and sees that July's occupancy is 15% behind last year's pace. They decide to launch an early bird discount for July bookings made before April 30th to catch up.
  • Looking at a pace report, a host notices that bookings for a major local festival weekend are pacing 30% ahead of the previous year in both occupancy and ADR. They realize their pricing is too low and increase the nightly rate for the few remaining available nights.
  • A multi-property manager's pace report shows that while overall revenue is on pace with last year, the booking lead time has shortened significantly. They adjust their marketing to target more last-minute travelers for the upcoming shoulder season.
  • An owner of a ski chalet sees from their pace report that the main holiday week is fully booked but the surrounding weeks are pacing behind. They create a package deal bundling a mid-week stay with discounted lift tickets to fill the gaps.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I check a pace report?+
It's beneficial to review a pace report regularly, such as weekly or bi-weekly. During your property's peak booking season or for high-demand periods like holidays, daily checks can provide valuable, timely insights for making profitable price adjustments.
What's the difference between a pace report and a forecast report?+
A pace report compares current, on-the-books data for a future period to the data at the same point in time in a previous year. In contrast, a forecast report uses pacing data, historical performance, and market trends to predict the *final* business outcomes for that future period.
Can I see pace reports in my property management software?+
Yes, many modern property management systems include reporting dashboards with pace analysis. These tools often feature reports that automatically compare your current bookings to previous years, saving you from manual data compilation. Some platforms, like Lodgify, offer robust analytics to help track these and other key performance metrics.
What if I'm a new host with no historical data for a pace report?+
If you lack your own historical data, you can use industry data from short-term rental market data tools as a benchmark. Alternatively, you can create a business budget or revenue goal and run a "pace-to-budget" report to track your performance against your own financial targets.
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