What is Booking's Genius program?

Booking.com is one of the leading online booking platforms in the vacation rental sector. Millions of people search for vacation rentals every year, making it an essential distribution channel. The platform doesn't just list your property, it also offers marketing solutions to benefit both travelers and owners, including Booking's Genius program. But what does it actually involve? Our Airbnb concierge explains everything you need to know.  

Booking's Genius program in a nutshell

Booking's Genius program aims to improve guest performance while rewarding passenger loyalty. By taking part, owners improve the visibility of their ad and holidaymakers benefit from attractive rates and unique benefits. The program includes 3 levelseach more attractive than the last.

The 3 levels for homeowners

Booking's Genius program is a progressive system where benefits increase with each step. Access to the level 1 simply requires 3 comments and an average score of 7,5 minimum. After that, the requirements climb, as your property must achieve a minimum rating of 8/10 and total 10 reservations over the year, then 15 reservations and 8,5/10 to access the level 3. Each level offers tenants more generous discounts (10 %, 15 %then 20 %), but your ad also gains in visibility. 

Putting an accommodation online on Booking.com entails commission costs oscillating between 15 and 18 % of the displayed rate. If the Genius program allows you to boost visibility of your ad, this implies a discount granted to travelers, at your expense. So every reduction offered to a customer is also deducted from your own income. Even so, it's often worth the effort, as you'll gain a number of advantages, includingincrease your bookings. On the other hand, it is quite possible to inflate your price per night to partially absorb these costs. 

Booking reports that once Genius is activated, accommodations appear on average 70 % more often in search results. This gain in visibility is accompanied by an increase in 45 % reservations, and a net increase in revenues of 40 %.

The 3 levels for travellers

All travellers can become Genius members of level 1 on Booking, free of charge and unconditionally. All you have to do is log in with your e-mail address. Then, to reach the second level, they must have made at least 5 reservations in 2 years. Lastly, those moving on to the level 3 have reserved at least 15 stays in 2 years. Here's an overview of what they're likely to get: 

• Genius 1 10 % discount on accommodation
• Genius 2 up to 15 % discount on housing
• Genius 3 up to 20 % discount on overnight stays

In short, the Booking's Genius program allows holidaymakers to enjoy progressive benefits according to their level of commitment.

What are the benefits for homeowners?

Resorts that are members of Booking's Genius program appear with the Genius logo. Firstly, they benefit from a better visibility on the online platform thanks to improved ranking in search results. But also, the filter system allows Internet users to display only homes with the Genius status. In addition, accommodations participating in the Genius program benefit from increased exposure through Booking.com's marketing efforts, including :

• Targeted advertising; 
• Press relations ;
• E-mailings ;
• Sponsored content on social networks. 

In addition, targeting Genius customers provides access to a qualified segment of travelers who are willing to pay more, book earlier and recommend their experience more highly. Booking.com's regular customers are attached to the privileges of the Genius program, making it difficult for owners to reach them by other means. Genius users don't just book once, they're more likely to come back. They are reliable customersThey are often more respectful of their surroundings and less likely to cancel their reservations.

Will Booking's Genius program benefit your short-term rental?

Booking's Genius program can be a real asset for owners of furnished tourist accommodationparticularly during periods of low demand. It optimizes occupancy rate without systematically undercutting prices, thanks to enhanced visibility and tools such as the dynamic pricing. However, you should only activate it when necessary. 

Don't forget that Genius implies certain constraints that you need to anticipate. Once you've signed up, you can only suspend your participation for a period of 30 to 60 days per year, at strategic times when demand is already high. And if you choose to leave the program altogether, you'll have to wait 6 months before you can return to it. It is therefore impossible to activate it only by low seasonthen withdraw from them as soon as demand picks up again. 

That's why we recommend that you test Genius, for example on a off-peak period to measure the real effect on your rental income. This program is also useful for new listings on Booking.com and for accommodations in competitive areas. 

Genius can help you fill your rental space more easily and attract more loyal customersBut the program has to be used properly. You need to take all the parameters into account to determine the right times to activate it, taking into account your objectives and your seasonality. 

My Guest Relation maximizes Genius' impact on your revenues

Managing a rental property standing requires time, expertise and a perfect command of distribution tools such as Booking's Genius program. At My Guest RelationWe help owners to promote their properties on platforms such as Booking.com. Every action we take is designed to increase your online presence, without affecting your bottom line. From ad creation to dynamic pricing, we take care of the complete premium management of your property. tourist accommodation.