What is Vrbo?

Join the Lodgify newsletter

Once a month, get free templates, expert tips for hosts, industry news, webinar invitations, and more.

Subscribe

I agree to receive commercial communications from Lodgify.

How it works

Property owners or managers create a listing on the Vrbo platform, complete with photos, descriptions, availability, and pricing. Travelers can then search the site using filters for location, dates, number of guests, and desired amenities to find a suitable property.

Once a guest makes a booking request, the host confirms it, and payment is processed through Vrbo's secure system. Hosts can manage their listings directly on the platform or use software equipped with a channel manager to synchronize calendars and rates across multiple booking sites.

Why it matters

Listing on Vrbo provides property owners with significant visibility to millions of travelers worldwide. Its specific focus on family and group travel makes it an essential distribution channel for hosts with larger properties or those located in popular vacation destinations.

For hosts, Vrbo is a key component of a multi-channel distribution strategy to maximize occupancy and revenue. See the official website for current details.

Examples

• A property manager lists a portfolio of family-sized cabins in the mountains on Vrbo to attract travelers planning ski vacations and summer hiking trips.
• A couple who owns a lakefront cottage lists it on Vrbo to generate rental income during the peak tourist season.
• The owner of a large home near a popular event venue lists their property on Vrbo to market to groups traveling for concerts or sporting events.
• A host with a beach condo uses Vrbo to reach travelers from outside their local market, setting competitive rates based on the platform’s market data tools.