With the introduction of low cost airlines, and the rapid growth
of internet users, booking the perfect holiday has become easier
for the inexperienced internet user. Gone are the days, where
the only people surfing the net are techie's - welcome to the
internet age, where people of all ages are now using the
internet to go about their normal life.
“You look forward to your holiday all year and you want to book
it easily, and save money,” says Darren, a holiday rental
specialist who runs, Worldwide Holiday Homes. “If you
automatically think ‘travel agent,’ you’re missing out on the
internet world. Just ask the thousands of people who reserve
villas, apartments and cottages through our companies website.
Booking your holiday online means you can look for the best
deals, and search in the comfort of your own home.”
Darren says the rise of the Internet has made it easier and more
convenient to seek out and reserve a holiday home, why stay in
an overcrowded hotel, when you get have the privacy that a villa
holiday brings. No more shared swimming pools, instead relax in
privacy within your own pool. If you’re nervous about dealing
one-on-one with a holiday home owner, don’t be. Darren says that
some of the nervousness is brought on by the travel agents, who
advise against booking a private holiday rental, as the
companies offering rentals are not ABTA bonded. Providing you
get adequate travel insurance, and are cautious and follow some
simple booking instructions, you can minimize the risk:
- Speak to the owner of the property, you can learn a lot about
a person, and you'll probably feel much comfortable than
communicating through email - which can be impersonal.
- Each property owner will have their own way of processing a
booking but, as a guideline, you should expect to pay a deposit
to secure the booking of between 10% - 50% of the total rental.
This is normally paid either by cheque or by bank transfer and
the owner should confirm the booking and receipt of your payment
by letter or by e-mail.
- Check the cancellation terms with the owner at the time of
booking - deposits are often non-refundable and they may have a
sliding scale of charges for last minute cancellations after the
balance has been paid. We recommend that you ask for any terms
and conditions in writing. Make sure that you have the address
and directions to the property. These are normally sent to you
on payment of the balance. Some owners will send you a key in
advance, some may live on site and be there to welcome you,
whilst others may have a local representative or neighbour who
will meet you.
- Make sure that you have the telephone number of the owner or
their representative so that you can call to let them know if
your arrival time is delayed. If you encounter an owner who is
unwilling to talk to you on the phone, beware. You simply cannot
send money to someone you’ve never spoken to. Go with your gut
feeling. Take out adequate travel insurance, we would recommend
that you speak to a travel insurance specialist, and explain the
type of holiday you are going to book - that way your going to
get the right advice, and the right level of insurance -
remember that you'll pay a deposit, if for any reason your ill,
or your flight is cancelled or delayed, you'll need insurance to
be able to claim the deposit back.
- Don't be embarrassed to ask for testimonials from other
holidaymakers, or email address / telephone number of other
holidaymakers who have book the accommodation. Have a search on
the internet, and see if you can "dig" up any bad feedback or
reviews about the owners or property rental.
“To many this may sound time consuming,” says Darren, “Most
owners, respond within 24 hours, once you have confirmation of
the booking and paid the deposit, then you book your flight, and
travel insurance - by leaving the travel agent out of the
process, you will save money, and you have the opportunity to
research the location and accommodation, before booking,
compared to booking with an agent who, let's be honest is trying
to get you to book quickly, for commission.”
Darren says that many travel agents are now realising the
potential of the internet, our website alone, is a complete
booking portal, you search for accommodation, contact the owner,
and then through our travel shop you can book your flights, car
hire and travel insurance. Next time your looking to book your
holiday - have a search on the internet, you'll be surprised
what you can find.
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