For holiday let owners, peak season is when all the behind-the-scenes work is meant to pay off. It’s the time to see your calendar fill up, your bookings flow in, and your revenue reflect months of planning and preparation.
But the pace of peak demand can be intense. And even the most experienced owners can find themselves under pressure, making quick decisions or missing out on opportunities in the rush to keep up.
Here are three of the most common mistakes we see when demand surges, and how the right tools in place can make all the difference.
1. Static Pricing in a Dynamic Market
When demand rises, there is often an opportunity to adjust pricing accordingly. However, this can be challenging due to uncertainty around market rates or the time involved in updating prices across multiple platforms.
The result? You get booked out quickly, but at prices well below what guests were willing to pay. That’s revenue that can’t be recovered, and energy spent for less return.
A more responsive pricing strategy doesn’t mean constant tweaking. Many owners now rely on dynamic pricing tools that automatically adjust rates based on factors like availability, seasonality, and lead time. It means you’re earning your property’s true market value – Feven when you’re too busy to keep an eye on it.
2. Overlooking Opportunities to Offer Booking Extras
During peak season, guests are often looking to make their stay a little more special. They’re open to spending more on thoughtful touches that add comfort, convenience or a sense of occasion.
Booking extras like early check-in, welcome hampers, BBQ kits, or celebration packages can all increase your revenue. But when things get busy, these offers are easy to forget or leave buried in a follow-up email that guests might miss.
The most effective extras are the ones that are already built into the booking journey. When guests see them clearly at the point of booking or in their confirmation emails, they’re more likely to add them without any prompting.
Integrating extras into the booking journey is an easy way to make the most of peak season demand while also improving the guest experience, without adding to your workload.
3. Turnovers Become Harder to Manage
When bookings are close together, managing turnovers efficiently becomes even more important. With limited time between guests, small delays or missed details can have a knock-on effect.
At busy times, it is easy for communication to slip. A last-minute change might not reach the right person, and routines that normally run smoothly can feel stretched.
One way to support this process is by giving housekeeping teams direct access to schedules, booking details and any relevant notes. This helps everyone stay aligned and reduces the need for follow-up calls or emails.
Even small changes in how information is shared can help maintain high standards and ease the pressure during your busiest weeks.
Final Thoughts
Peak season should feel like the reward for all your hard work, not a constant scramble to keep up with bookings, emails and last-minute changes. Success in the busiest months is not just about experience. It’s about having the right systems in place to support you behind the scenes.
When your pricing updates automatically, extras are offered without you needing to lift a finger, and your housekeeping team knows exactly what is happening each day, everything runs that little bit more smoothly.
A well-prepared property management system creates space for better guest experiences, stronger reviews and more consistent income. It also gives you the breathing room to enjoy the season yourself.
If you are aiming for a summer that runs like clockwork and earns more in the process, it’s worth exploring how SuperControl® can help. From smart pricing tools to automated extras and housekeeper logins, it’s all designed to support the way you work.
Take a closer look at what SuperControl® can do for your business.
