When local businesses and short-term rentals team up, everyone wins, especially your guests. Whether it’s a discount at the neighbourhood café or priority bookings for tours, these simple touches turn stays into stories. When done well, partnering with local businesses to offer guest perks is a smart strategy that leads to occupancy rate improvement and supports long-term property growth.
What makes a strong local business partnership?
A great partnership starts with a simple question: Will this business make my guest’s stay smoother and more memorable? If the answer is yes, and the numbers add up, you might have found a winner.
Relevance to your guest profile
Good local business collaborations meet the needs of the people who book your place.
- Families appreciate cafés with kid-friendly menus, nearby playgrounds, or discounted tour passes.
- Professionals look for coworking desks, express laundry, or short-term gym memberships.
- Couples value spa vouchers, wine bar tastings, or a florist that delivers before check-in.
- International tourists often prefer museum passes, language-friendly walking tours, or scooter hire.
Bundle two or three offers into curated guest packages for your target client base and promote them in your welcome email to enjoy instant value without extra work.
Key qualities to look for
The right partner ticks four boxes:
- Physical proximity: Guests won’t travel far for a free coffee.
- Reputation: Check reviews to avoid steering guests toward poor-quality products or services.
- Open communication: Quick replies keep the deal running smoothly.
- Shared audience or values: Make sure that your “why” should overlap.
Strong partners also embrace business-to-business (B2B) networking; they see mutual growth as the goal, not a one-way street. When those elements line up, trust follows, and so does repeat custom for both sides.
Step-by-step guide to set up your first local partnership
Securing your first local partnership doesn’t need a lawyer or a marketing budget. You need curiosity, clear communication, and little administrative effort. Follow these four steps, and you’ll have a deal up and running before peak season.
Step 1: Research potential collaboration partners
Open Google Maps and draw a five-minute walking radius around your listing, then list 5–10 businesses with strong tourist foot traffic. Your own experience and guest feedback can help you spot which local places already attract short-stay guests, such as early-opening cafés, tour desks, or nearby yoga studios. Note those businesses likely to welcome local marketing partnerships that match your guest profile.
Step 2: Initiate contact and build relationships
Pop in during a quiet time or send a concise email introducing yourself as a local host. Explain how joint marketing efforts can steer guests their way while adding value to your stay. Here, choose to start small: offer to feature their business in your digital guidebook for a simple perk, such as free coffee upgrades or priority bookings.
Step 3: Define a simple, clear agreement
Document the basics: the perk (10 % off coffee), redemption method (QR code or mention of your property name), and branding guidelines. Agree that the offer is exclusive to your guests and that the staff know how to process it. Clarity at this stage avoids confusion later.
Step 4: Formalise the partnership
Draft a one-page memorandum or welcome pack summarising roles, benefits, and review dates. Swap marketing materials, such as flyers, codes, and social tiles, and create a “Local Perks” section in your Airbnb listing or printed house manual.
These cross-promotional deals advertise both brands and give guests exclusive guest discounts that feel like insider knowledge. Review the arrangement every few months, tracking redemption numbers and guest feedback so the partnership benefits everyone involved.
Measuring the success of your partnerships
After implementing the tips above, you want to know if your local partnership is pulling its weight. The goal isn’t just to give out coffee vouchers. You should gauge what perks work on guest satisfaction and re-bookings.
Metrics to monitor
Track how guests are responding. Are they using the perks? Are they talking about them in reviews? Look for phrases that mention a great local meal or a complimentary glass of wine. Tools like Guesty or Typeform help collect post-stay feedback with specific questions about your offers. Solid signs your strategy is working include:
- Guest reviews that mention partnerships.
- Increased repeat bookings linked to unique perks.
- Redemption codes are being used or shown onsite.
- Positive mentions of local meals, tour companies, etc.
These are all strong indicators of smart guest satisfaction strategies that keep your listing competitive and memorable.
Adjusting based on results
Partnerships shouldn’t be set-and-forget. Review each collaboration quarterly. Switch it out if no one’s using the yoga pass or breakfast discount. Maybe that wine bar perk makes more sense in winter, while surf schools thrive in summer. A tip here is to rotate your short-term rental promotions with the season.
Casual conversations also help. Ask guests during check-in what caught their eye. You’ll often learn more from a quick comment than a formal review. Keep testing, rotating, and refreshing until your perks become part of why guests return.
Need help elevating guest experiences? L’Abode Accommodation can help
Looking to improve your guest experience without adding to your workload? L’Abode Accommodation understands the pressures of managing a short-term rental.
From keeping calendars full to maintaining consistent five-star reviews, we know what it takes to run a successful property. The L’Abode team is here to support you with services designed to make hosting easier and more rewarding. See what we offer and discover how we can help you deliver better stays for your guests, with less stress.