This week let’s meet Fernado😊
Fernando SantaCruz is originally from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, a place rich in culture, history, and amazing food! He has been hosting for nearly four years with the intent to highlight the splendor of Yucatan to tourists. As a co-owner and part-time manager, Fernando cherishes the chance to meet global guests, despite occasional challenges in property maintenance and guest communications.
Let’s hear his story! 🔊
So Fernando, tell us, how long have you been hosting? How and why did you start? How many properties do you manage?
I’ve been hosting for almost four years. My passion began with a desire to showcase the beauty of Yucatan, Mexico, to travelers. In homage to my abuela Tulita, we renovated her home in the heart of Valladolid. Starting with that single property close to the renowned Chichen Itza, our venture has since grown. Today, we proudly manage two distinct properties in Valladolid and Merida under our brand, Casa Tulita.
Are you an owner or a manager? Is this a part-time or full-time occupation for you?
I’m a co-owner and a part-time manager. Currently, we’re exploring the idea of offering unique experiences and are considering expanding to more locations within the Yucatan Peninsula.
What is the best thing about hosting, and what are the biggest problems you face?
The best thing is meeting people from all over the world and showing them the magic of Yucatan. Each guest brings a new story. But, like any job, there are challenges. Occasionally, we face issues like unexpected maintenance or miscommunications with guests. But these are all part and parcel of the journey.
What is one thing you wish you knew when you started hosting?
I wish I knew more about dynamic pricing strategies. It’s important to adjust rates based on demand, seasonality, and local events to optimize income.
What is the most important advice/tip you would give someone interested in becoming a short-term rental host?
Focus on creating a unique selling proposition (USP) for your rental. Is it an immersive local experience? Is it a one-of-a-kind architectural design? Or perhaps it’s the eco-friendly aspects of your property? Pinpoint it and make it the highlight of your marketing.
Besides Hosthub, are there any tools, devices, or software (eg. Remote keylocks, cameras, local guide apps, power meters, etc) you use? What is your experience with them?
We employ remote key locks, which have revolutionized self-check-ins for us. Additionally, we’ve curated a guide using local apps to highlight the best spots in town for our guests. For dynamic pricing, I rely on PriceLabs, which optimizes our nightly rates using data analytics. And to ensure our website ranks well, we use SEMRush for SEO optimization. Together, these tools have streamlined our operations and significantly enhanced our guest experience.
Which channels do you list on? How much has your revenue increased since listing on multiple channels?
We list on Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, TripAdvisor and Booking.com. By diversifying our channels, our visibility has increased, leading to a revenue boost of roughly 25%. It’s truly worth the effort.
Besides listing on multiple channels, what other things can a host do to increase his/her bookings and revenue?
Engaging with local tourism boards, offering unique experiences, and responding quickly to inquiries can also help in increasing bookings and revenue.
You can find out more about Fernando’s properties here:
Airbnb
- Gorgeous 3BR House for 12 in Downtown – 2 Min Walk
- Casa Tulita Suites in Valladolid Downtown
- Gorgeous Suite for 6 in Downtown – Walk Everywhere
- Gorgeous Suite w/Premium Ammenties in Downtown
Vrbo
Booking. com
Expedia
Here are some photos to give you a better vision of Fernando’s properties (click for larger versions) 🧐
