Whether you’re a seasoned property owner or just starting out, keeping track of the right numbers can mean the difference between a thriving business and one that’s struggling to stay afloat. Here’s a breakdown of the essential vacation rental business metrics every owner needs to know.
The Vacation Rental Metrics You Need to Know:
Occupancy Rate
- What It Is: The occupancy rate measures the percentage of available nights that your property is booked.
- Why It Matters: A high occupancy rate indicates strong demand and effective marketing. A low rate, however, might signal pricing issues or a need for better promotion.
How to Calculate:
Occupancy Rate = Number of Nights Booked divided by Total Number of Available multiplied by 100
Average Daily Rate (ADR)
- What It Is: ADR represents the average income earned per rented night.
- Why It Matters: Tracking ADR helps you understand your pricing strategy’s effectiveness and adjust it according to market demand and competition.
How to Calculate:
ADR = Total Rental Income divided by Number of Nights Rented
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)
- What It Is: RevPAR combines the metrics of occupancy rate and ADR to give a comprehensive view of your revenue performance.
- Why It Matters: RevPAR helps you evaluate how well your property is performing in generating income, regardless of occupancy levels.
How to Calculate:
RevPAR = ADR multiplied by Occupancy Rate
Booking Lead Time
- What It Is: Booking lead time measures the average number of days between a booking being made and the check-in date.
- Why It Matters: Understanding lead time helps with forecasting and managing booking patterns, ensuring you can optimize pricing and availability.
How to Calculate:
Booking Lead Time = Sum of Days from Booking to Check-In divided by Number of Bookings
Guest Acquisition Cost (GAC)
- What It Is: GAC calculates the total cost of acquiring a new guest, including marketing and advertising expenses.
- Why It Matters: Knowing your GAC helps assess the effectiveness of your marketing strategies and ensures you’re not overspending to attract guests.
How to Calculate:
GAC = Total Marketing and Advertising Costs divided by Number of New Guests Acquired
Customer Satisfaction Score
- What It Is: This metric is derived from guest reviews and ratings.
- Why It Matters: High customer satisfaction scores lead to better reviews, repeat bookings, and positive referrals. Tracking this metric helps you identify areas for improvement.
How to Calculate:
Typically derived from guest feedback and review platforms, often on a scale of 1-10 or 1-5.
Net Operating Income (NOI)
- What It Is: NOI is a measure of your property’s profitability before deducting financing costs and taxes.
- Why It Matters: NOI provides a clear picture of your property’s performance and helps in assessing the return on investment.
How to Calculate:
NOI = Total Rental Income – Operating Expenses
Cash Flow
- What It Is: Cash flow is the amount of money coming in and going out of your rental business.
- Why It Matters: Positive cash flow indicates that your rental is generating more income than expenses, which is crucial for sustaining and growing your business.
How to Calculate:
Cash Flow = Total Income minus Total Expenses
Regularly reviewing these numbers will help you make informed decisions, adjust your strategies, and ultimately create a more profitable and sustainable rental business. So, dive into the data, keep an eye on these key metrics, and watch your vacation rental venture thrive!

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