Depending on the resort, the “booking window” (the time between when a reservation is made and the actual day of arrival) has shrunk from a six to twelve month period down to a month or less. This statement was made by the General Manager of the 417 room Royal Palms Resort in South Beach, FL.

Eighty-two percent of reservations at his resort property are being made within 30 days of arrival, and 32 percent within seven days of arrival. According to the Hotel News, this trend began in 2001 because it’s the nature of the market with vacationers becoming more spur of the moment and the increasing use of the Internet, which allows guests to confidently book rooms at a low rate at the last minute. Hotel and resort operators throughout the United States were quoted as experiencing the same phenomenon.

Here in Myrtle Beach...

Phil Cox, owner and operator of Resort Vacation Services at the Myrtle Beach Resort, stated, “ we’ve been in the resort vacation business for over 25 years and have seen this change come about gradually. It hasn’t been too long ago that you worried if your summer wasn’t sold-out by Easter. Now, we’ve discovered, that even those travelers who prefer making their vacation plans well in advance are reluctant to do so for fear that a lower rate may be introduced closer to their travel date. Our company has combated that by offering a Reserve Now/Guaranteed Best Rate. Chose the dates you want to vacation, select the type and location of condo you prefer, and book it. If we ever offer a lesser price on the same accommodation, you can have it."

Reserve Your Condo Now and Get a Guaranteed Best Rate:
Reserve Now/Guaranteed Best Rate