Travellers are willing to pay more for holiday rentals that demonstrate quality and trust, according to new research from Expedia Group, with the findings highlighting the factors most likely to influence booking decisions.
The company’s Built to Stay report found 86 per cent of travellers would pay a premium for a higher-quality holiday rental listing, rising to 92 per cent among Gen Z travellers.
Trust and quality outweigh luxury
Based on a survey of more than 1,700 travellers across seven countries, including Australia, the report found guests value reliable fundamentals over luxury features.
Exceptional cleanliness, dependable amenities such as Wi-Fi and air conditioning, comfortable beds and responsive hosts ranked among the strongest quality indicators. More than half of respondents expected hosts to respond to issues within one hour during their stay.
The research also found 81 per cent of travellers would pay more for properties with stronger trust signals, with verified reviews, high review scores, recent feedback and detailed guest reviews among the most influential booking factors.
Transparent pricing remains critical
The report identified unclear pricing as one of the biggest barriers to booking. Hidden costs, unclear cleaning fees and extra charges for amenities were among the leading reasons travellers would abandon a property.
At the same time, 91 per cent of respondents said promotions and discounts influenced their booking decisions, helping travellers choose between similar properties, upgrade to higher-value accommodation or extend their stay. Expedia Group said the findings provide practical guidance for holiday rental hosts looking to improve guest confidence and conversion rates.
