Photo Glossary

This Glossary is provided to users of the website as a guide to terms and information they may find helpful. Definitions are added, edited or removed occasionally.

Travel Glossary

Holiday House

A fully furnished home offered for rent on a nightly, weekly or long basis but essentially for short-term use. The same as a Vacation Rental but used in parts of European, Australia and other parts of the world.
See also: Vacation Rental. Holiday Let Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Holiday Let

A house, condo or other living unit used for short-term rental, usually in a resort or recreational area and having sleeping quarters, bath and kitchen. Also known as a Vacation Rental.
See also: Vacation Rental Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Home Owners Association (HOA)

Association responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and financial management of common areas in certain complexes and neighborhoods.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

HomeMinder Program (Vacation Rentals)

A co-hosting program for vacation rental owners offered by members of the Sunspots Vacation rental network, such as for cabins, condos, homes & villas.
See also: Guestminder Origin: May, William

Hospitality Industry

Another term for the travel industry.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Host

Individual who manages their own vacation rental home
See also: Hosters, Vacation Rental manager Origin: Wm. May

Hoster

Hosts homes for individual on AirBnB. Usually not a full-stack vacation rental manager
Origin: Wm. May

Housekeeping

The task of cleaning lodging properties after guests and invitees have departed. Includes washing linens, cleaning all rooms, vacuuming and return the property to its condition prior to the guests arrival.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Incentive Travel

Travel offered as a reward for top performance and the business that develops, markets, and operates these programs.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

IVR - Inspected Vacation Rental

A lodging unit that has been inspected and meets the standards of the Vacation Rental Association (VRIA). Designated as "Blue Ribbon" and "Inspected Vacation Rental (IVR)" These include rules for outfitting, cleanliness, maintenance and truthful advertising, The terms Blue Ribbon and IVR are trademarks owned by the Vacation Rental Association.
See also: Blue Ribbon Rental, VVR, Verified Vacation Rental Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Lodging Manager

A person or company who manages lodging faculties such as Inns, Resorts, Hotels, Motels, Vacation Rentals, short-term rentals. Lodging Managers do not manage conventional real estate rentals such as apartments, condominiums, commercial buildings, home owner associations, or long-term residential property.
See also: Vacation Rental Manager, Lodging Manager, Absentee Vacation Rental Manager, Corporate Vacation Rental Manager Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Lodging Taxes

Includes the sales, tourism and sometimes other taxes imposed on lodging by governments in a given destination. Facilities are required to add these taxes to the price of lodging and sometimes other costs.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Long-Term Rental

Rental of a cabin, condo, apartment, house or villa for mmore than 30 days, usually for 6 or 12 months, usually with option to continue longer. Think of his as "conventional rental and documented with a lease. Usually fully furnished including a kitche, bath and sleeping area.
See also: Short-term Rental, Mid-Term Rentall, Vacation Rental, Holiday Let, Holiday Home Origin: Vacation Rental Association Link: VacationRentalAssociation.org

Low Season

The season when guest occupancy and rates are lowest.
See also: Travel Seasons, Peak Season, Shoulder Season Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Maximum Occupancy

The greatest number of registered occupants allowed to inhabit a property. It may sleep less than this number. Unregistered guests are not allowed. Drop in guests are not allowed.
See also: Normal Occupancy, Sleeps Occupancy, Disclosed Guest, Undisclosed Guests, Drop-In Guests Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Non-Cancelable

When a booking for lodging property use is non-cancelable it means the guest must pay for and is not entitled to a refund even if they request a cancellation. This is similar to non-cancelable bookings for airfare and other travel services.
See also: Re-Sellable Origin: Vacation Rental Association

OTA - Online Travel Agent

Websites where guests can book lodging, airfare, rental cars and other services online. OTA's utilize Global Distribution Services (GDS) to display services and then to confirm them with the travel provider. Examples of OTA's are Expedia.com, Orbitz.com and Hotels.com but there are many others offering the same services.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

OTA - Open Travel Alliance

An organization that engineers computer and technical specifications to ensure traveler and supplier information flow smoothly throughout travel, tourism and hospitality. Membership includes major hotels, airlines and Global Distribution Firms.
Origin: OpenTravel.org Link: OpenTravel.org

Out Cleaning

Vacation rental homes are usually cleaned after the guest departs, this is referred to as an Out Clean. Usually there is a one time fee for this service.
See also: Out Cleaning Fee, Interim Clean, Housekeeping Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Pet Friendly

A lodging unit which allows pets in the facility and on the grounds. There is often a deposit and/or a daily fee for allowing pets.
See also: No Pets Origin: Vacation Rental Association

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DETAILS: Glossaries and Dictionaries are handy tools. They provide an indication of meaning but additional study may be necessary to comprehend the full meaning. There may be alternate definitions not included here and experts may disagree on the proper explanation of each term.

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