“Co-sponsored by 14 industry players and HomeAway, the world ’s leading vacation rental marketplace with more than 309,000 properties, the study also reports online vacation rental bookings will grow from $2.8 billion in 2007 to $4.6 billion in 2010. More than 40 percent of leisure travelers considered or booked a vacation rental in the past year.”  Read the Full Story at AOL Money & Finance

Some new vacation rental websites are ”pitching” the idea that travelers prefer or should only rent from a professional rental management company and renting by owner is too risky.  Here at Furnishedhomes.com we serve as a marketing site for both owners and managers.  According to this research study, PhoCusWright’s Vacation Rental Marketplace: Poised for Change – suggests that travelers feel comfortable with both options – managers and owners – It’s All Good!

It is reassuring to note that travelers are looking for the best properties to meet their needs and that vacation rental bookings are projected to take a very significant leap thru 2010.  Those of us who manage vacation properties or use vacation rentals for our travel accommodations already know how great they are! The reference above to 40 percent seems really low and we believe more travelers will look to vacation rentals as the best option for more space and cost savings.