Travel
July 01, 2025
TV Advertising for Vacation Rentals: VRBO & Airbnb Host Guide
Drive direct bookings and keep more of what you earn
Table of Contents
OTA platforms like Airbnb and VRBO take 15-20% of every booking. That's thousands of dollars a year going to someone else, not your vacation rental advertising or your bottom line. TV advertising helps you reach travelers directly, building awareness for your property that drives bookings through your own website.
The result? You keep more of what you earn while filling your calendar year-round.
Why TV Advertising Works for Vacation Rentals
TV advertising gives vacation rental owners something OTA listings can't: the ability to reach travelers before they ever open a booking app.
Drive direct bookings: When travelers see your property on their TV screen, they remember you. When it's time to book their next trip, they search for your property directly instead of scrolling through hundreds of listings on Airbnb or VRBO.
Showcase the experience: Listing photos are static. TV brings your vacation rental to life, showing the sunset from your deck, the cozy fireplace, the ocean views. You're selling a feeling, not just a room.
Target travelers: Reach viewers who are actively planning trips to your destination. If you own a beach house in Florida, target viewers in cold-weather cities during winter. If you have a ski cabin, reach viewers when powder reports hit.
Run seasonal campaigns: Promote peak seasons to maximize rates, fill shoulder periods that typically sit empty, and drive last-minute bookings when you have gaps.
Build premium positioning: For high-end rentals, TV advertising adds prestige. It signals that your property is worth the premium price, not just another listing in a sea of options.
Real Results from Vacation Rental TV Ads
Vacation rental owners who add TV to their marketing mix typically see:
More direct booking inquiries from travelers who remember the property
Higher revenue by avoiding 15-20% OTA commission fees
Better calendar coverage during shoulder seasons that usually sit empty
Repeat guests who bookmark your site for future trips
One direct booking can save you $200-500 or more in OTA fees. A few of those per month pays for your entire TV advertising budget and then some.
How It Works for Vacation Rentals
Getting your vacation rental on TV is simpler than you might think:
1. Provide your listing or website URL Our AI creates a stunning commercial from your property photos. Already have great listing photos on Airbnb or your own site? We'll work with those.
2. Customize as needed Highlight your best amenities, showcase the location, or promote seasonal availability. Want to push spring break bookings? Summer getaways? Holiday availability? Tailor your message.
3. Target travelers Reach viewers interested in your destination or property type. Target by geography (viewers in specific markets), by interests (travel enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers), or by timing (run ads when your destination is top of mind).
4. Launch and track Your ad goes live within 24 hours on 100+ premium channels including NBC, Hulu, ESPN, and Travel Channel. Monitor impressions and track when viewers visit your website.
Affordable Pricing for Vacation Rentals
Vacation rental TV ads start at just $50. Compare that to OTA fees:
One $1,000 booking on Airbnb costs you $150-200 in fees
One direct booking saves that entire amount
A single saved booking more than covers a month of TV advertising
You're not just advertising. You're investing in an asset (direct booking relationships) instead of paying rent to OTA platforms forever.
See how Adwave works and create your first ad free. Your property could be on TV by tomorrow, reaching travelers who will remember your rental when it's time to book.
