The pandemic thrust vacation rentals into the spotlight. And, as the hospitality sector recovers and travelers make up for lost time, it’s a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Vacation rental companies have historically promoted direct-to-consumer booking practices, but the list of companies partnering with travel agents is growing.
The latest company to see the benefits of teaming up with travel professionals is Homebelike, a new vacation rental company focused on the Caribbean and Latin America. Seeing what it thought was a void in the rental home space, Homebelike was founded in 2021 by the team of hospitality veterans behind Hospitality Management Solutions (HMS) and Mint Hotels & Residences.
“We wanted to provide an option for guests to immerse themselves as a local within the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Miguelina Butron, partner and vice president of sales and marketing for Homebelike and Hospitality Management Solutions. “Where they had the resources of a hotel but with all the comforts of home and a local concierge.”
We wanted to provide an option for guests to immerse themselves as a local within the Caribbean and Latin America.
Although the accommodations populate from a variety of portals, they are all managed and vetted by Homebelike. Along with privately owned properties, Homebelike is working directly with large housing developments; for example, it is the official rental platform for Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic. The company also features new construction projects with multiple units.
Every booking is assigned a local Experience Specialist who is available 24/7 to the travel agent, as well as to the client once they’re on the ground. (The property owner is never involved.) Regardless of the destination, after a client arrives, the Experience Specialist will introduce themselves and offer support as a local resource. The fastest way for both the client and agent to reach the assigned Experience Specialist is typically via WhatsApp. If a problem arises, the Experience Specialist has the expertise and authority to provide assistance.
Homebelike offers a variety of accommodation types in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and St. Barts.
Credit: 2023 HomebelikeDuring my stay in a villa in Casa de Campo, I couldn’t get my bedroom’s patio doors to open. (It’s likely a rainstorm had caused the wood casing and floor to swell.) The villa had eight bedrooms, so in my case, the quickest fix was simply moving to another bedroom. But had I needed to move to different accommodations, the Experience Specialist would have handled the logistics.
How Travel Agents Can Work With Homebelike
Homebelike is a consumer-facing website, but it’s courting travel advisors with discounted net rates on their entire catalogue of vacation rentals. Properties from a variety of portals — including Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Expedia, and Homes and Villas by Marriott — all appear in searches done via Homebelike.
Travel agents are free to add whatever commission they feel is appropriate to bookings.
Once a rental is booked, travel agents can opt to work one-on-one with Homebelike to craft an entire itinerary for their clients. Acting much like a hotel concierge, Experience Specialists can arrange everything from golf tee times (sometimes at a discounted rate) to snorkeling excursions, dinner reservations or even booking a private chef. The Experience Specialist finalizes all bookings, excursions and reservations on behalf of the agent.
“We do the work and give the options to the travel agents with a link,” said Adam Tazi, regional director of Homebelike. “We make the travel agent’s job easy.”
The Homebelike Portfolio: 500-Plus Properties in Mexico, St. Barts and the Dominican Republic
The Homebelike portfolio is comprised of more than 500 homes, apartments and townhomes, in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and St. Barts (properties here are coming online over the next few months); by year’s end, the company estimates those numbers will double, spreading across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Villas can include amenities such as home movie theaters.
Credit: 2023 HomebelikeAccommodation offerings run the gamut from apartments and townhomes to over-the-top luxury villas with on-site spa facilities, home movie theaters, gyms and children’s playrooms.
It’s important for agents to realize that along with new construction, there are also older properties in Homebelike’s collection. Offering room for 20 guests, the Casa de Campo villa where I spent two nights was spacious with a welcoming, Caribbean flair and a friendly staff, but it was starting to show the signs of wear and tear that come naturally as a property ages. Think older, wall-mounted air-conditioning units, limited electrical outlets and tired upholstered chair cushions.
How to Become a Partner
To access discounted net rates, travel agents must register on Homebelike’s webpage or send an email to [email protected] requesting to register. The verification process is reportedly quick; Homebelike says all requests are processed within 24 hours.
“At Homebelike, we view the travel professional as an invaluable partner on this journey,” Butron said. “They know their client’s needs and interests best, so it is our top responsibility to make sure their clients are well taken cared for on the ground and the agents are compensated.”
