Running a vacation rental is exciting, but it can also be unpredictable. Some months your property feels fully booked, while others are quiet. Guests may cancel unexpectedly, or bookings might arrive later than you expect. Without precise data, it isn’t easy to know whether you are making the right choices on pricing, policies, or availability.
That’s where Smoobu Statistics helps. It turns your booking data into clear insights so you can understand performance at a glance. Instead of relying on guesswork, you can track occupancy, revenue, cancellations, and more. This allows you to spot patterns, plan, and make confident decisions that save time and increase earnings.
Whether you are just starting or managing several properties, Statistics gives you the clarity you need. Beginners can use it to avoid common mistakes, while experienced hosts can use it to fine-tune strategies and grow sustainably.
Why are statistics so important?
It’s often said that “information is power.” For hosts, this means having the data to understand what’s working and what isn’t. Without statistics, you may notice trends too late or make decisions based only on intuition. With statistics, you can act proactively and optimize efficiently.
- Actionable insights: Numbers give you evidence of how your property is performing. Instead of wondering why bookings are slow, you can see whether occupancy, pricing, or cancellations are the cause.
- Making the right decisions: By reviewing statistics regularly, you can focus on actions that truly improve performance—whether that’s adjusting rates, changing policies, or updating your listing photos.
- Optimize efficiently: Time is limited for every host. Statistics highlight where you should put effort to get the best results. If one property is underperforming, you’ll know exactly where to act.
- Reduce risks: Statistics help you avoid mistakes. If cancellations are rising, you can investigate and respond quickly before they damage revenue.
For example, a host sees that midweek occupancy is consistently low while weekends are full. With this insight, they run a weekday discount campaign and attract more guests. Within a month, revenue improves without needing additional properties or significant investments.
Statistics are not just about tracking what has happened—they’re about shaping what happens next.
What you can do with Statistics
The Statistics dashboard gives you the tools to understand your business at every level. Here are some of the most valuable ways you can use it:
- Track performance at a glance: See how many bookings you’ve received, how much revenue you’ve earned, and how occupancy is changing.
- Compare different timeframes: Measure this month against last month or this year against previous year to see progress.
- Spot issues early: Identify rising cancellations, falling ADR, or gaps in your calendar before they impact your earnings.
- Drill down into details: Review results for individual properties or your entire portfolio.
- Export data for partners: Share clear reports with business partners, co-hosts, or accountants.
Whether you are new to hosting or managing multiple properties, Statistics gives you control over your numbers.
See how Smoobu can help you understand your metrics and take insightful action!
Top 6 statistics every host should track
Not all data points matter equally. These six statistics are the most important for vacation rental hosts to monitor, because they directly affect your success.
1. Occupancy rate
The occupancy rate shows how many of your available nights are booked during a specific period.
Why it matters: This is one of the clearest indicators of demand and performance. High occupancy means your property is competitive, while low occupancy may suggest issues with pricing, visibility, or seasonality.
Actions you can take: If occupancy is low, test shorter minimum stays or run targeted discounts to fill empty nights. If occupancy is consistently high, consider raising prices or extending minimum stays to reduce turnover. Track occupancy by season to plan promotions and marketing campaigns.
Formula: Occupancy rate = (Nights booked / Nights available) × 100
2. Average daily rate (ADR)
ADR shows the average revenue you earn per booked night. It is calculated by dividing the total booking revenue by the number of nights booked.
Why it matters: ADR highlights your pricing power. A strong ADR means you are earning well per night, while a low ADR may suggest underpricing. Combined with occupancy, it helps you understand whether you should adjust rates.
Actions you can take: Benchmark your ADR against similar properties in your area. Raise ADR during high-demand events or seasons. Lower ADR strategically if occupancy is low, but demand in your market is strong. Track ADR year-over-year to see if your pricing strategy is improving.
Formula: ADR = Total booking revenue / Nights booked
3. Gross Booking Value (GBV)
GBV is the total value of all your bookings before fees and taxes.
Why it matters: GBV is the best measure of topline growth. It shows how much your listings are generating across all platforms and helps you track whether your business is expanding.
Actions you can take: Review GBV monthly and annually to measure growth. If GBV falls, check whether it is due to fewer bookings, lower ADR, or higher cancellations. Use GBV trends to plan reinvestments, property upgrades, or expansion into new listings.
Formula: GBV = Sum of booking values before fees and taxes
4. Length of stay (LOS)
LOS measures how many nights guests typically book per reservation.
Why it matters: LOS affects both profitability and workload. Short stays increase cleaning costs and turnover, while longer stays reduce workload but may block availability for other bookings.
Actions you can take: Encourage longer stays with weekly or monthly discounts. If LOS is too short, set a higher minimum stay to reduce turnover. Use LOS data to plan cleaning schedules and staffing more efficiently.
Formula: LOS = Total nights booked / Total bookings
5. Lead time
Lead time is the average number of days between when a booking is made and when the guest checks in.
Why it matters: Lead time shows how far in advance your guests plan. It varies by property type and market. City apartments often have short lead times, while holiday villas may have longer ones.
Actions you can take: Offer last-minute promotions if your lead time is short and you want to avoid empty nights. Use early-bird discounts if lead time is extended, encouraging guests to commit earlier. Adjust cancellation policies to balance flexibility and revenue security.
Formula: Lead time = Total days between booking and check-in / Total bookings
6. Cancellation rate
Cancellation rate shows the percentage of bookings that are cancelled compared to the total number made.
Why it matters: High cancellation rates reduce revenue and create gaps in your calendar. They can also reflect issues with your listing, communication, or policies.
Actions you can take: Improve listing accuracy to reduce misunderstandings. Send confirmation and reassurance messages after bookings. Test stricter cancellation policies or require deposits for security. Compare cancellation rates by channel to identify platform-specific issues.
Formula: Cancellation rate = (Cancelled bookings / Total bookings) × 100
How to learn from your statistics
Statistics become more powerful when you look beyond one period and start comparing results over time. By reviewing different timeframes, you can spot patterns and understand long-term trends.
- Month vs. month: Shows short-term changes. For example, if February occupancy is higher than January, your new pricing strategy may be working.
- Quarter vs. quarter: Balances seasonality. Comparing Q2 this year to Q2 last year highlights how your spring bookings have changed.
- Year vs. year: Reveals long-term growth. If ADR is up but occupancy is flat, you may have reached a pricing ceiling.
When comparing, look for cause and effect. A drop in GBV may come from fewer bookings, lower ADR, or more cancellations. Identifying the cause allows you to act with precision.
Tip: Avoid analysis paralysis by setting a simple routine. Check your statistics monthly, note two actions, and review the following month to see the results.
Break down performance by property
If you manage more than one property, reviewing statistics at the portfolio level is only the first step. Smoobu allows you to drill down into property-specific results.
Why this matters:
- Identify strong performers: Properties with high ADR and occupancy can serve as benchmarks.
- Spot underperformance: If one listing lags in occupancy or has high cancellations, target improvements.
- Plan marketing efforts: Allocate budget to properties that need more visibility.
Example: A host has three apartments. Property A is always fully booked but with low ADR. Property B has a higher ADR but low occupancy. Property C is balanced. By analyzing each separately, the host raises Property A’s rates and improves Property B’s photos to increase demand.
How statistics help you grow your business
Numbers only matter if they lead to action. Statistics provide the insights you need to grow in practical, measurable ways.
Better guest reviews
Strong reviews depend on smooth guest experiences. If statistics reveal late cancellations or short lead times, improve communication to reassure guests. This directly reduces complaints and improves ratings.
Increase revenue
By combining ADR, GBV, and LOS, you can see how much you are earning and where to improve. Raising ADR slightly while maintaining occupancy can increase revenue without adding new properties.
Maximize occupancy
Tracking occupancy highlights booking gaps early. If midweek bookings are low, run targeted promotions or adjust minimum stays to attract more guests.
Understand seasonality
Comparing results year-over-year reveals seasonal patterns clearly. Prepare promotions, adjust pricing, and optimize availability to make the most of peak demand periods.
Make smarter pricing decisions
Statistics provide the foundation for dynamic pricing. If the lead time is short, discount last-minute stays. If occupancy is high, raise rates. ADR trends help you avoid under- or overpricing.
Plan for growth
GBV and property breakdowns show whether your business is ready to expand. If revenue is rising steadily and occupancy is strong, reinvest in upgrades or new properties with confidence.
Export, share, and stay on top of your numbers
Data is most useful when you can share and analyze it easily. With Smoobu, you can export your statistics as CSV files to review in Excel or share with partners and accountants.
- Review monthly: Look at occupancy, ADR, and GBV.
- Take two actions: For example, adjust pricing and test new photos.
- Review quarterly: Compare results with the previous year.
- Decide long-term: Use annual results to plan reinvestments or expansion.
This rhythm keeps you focused without overwhelming you.
FAQs about Statistics
What is Gross Booking Value (GBV)?
GBV is the total value of all bookings before fees and taxes. It shows your topline revenue growth.
Why does Smoobu data sometimes differ from channel reports?
Minor differences can occur due to time zones, filters, or cancellations. Align date ranges for the most accurate comparison.
How often is the data updated?
Statistics refresh automatically as bookings are created, changed, or cancelled.
Can I see results for each property separately?
Yes, you can view statistics per property or for your entire portfolio.
Can I filter by channel?
Statistics aggregate results across channels. You can compare channels directly through your connected booking platforms.
Are cancelled bookings included?
Cancelled bookings appear in the cancellation rate but do not count toward occupancy or ADR.
Is tax included in GBV?
No, GBV is calculated before fees and taxes, giving you a clean measure of booking value.
Can I export charts as well as CSV files?
CSV export is supported for detailed analysis. Screenshots can be taken for visual reports.
What happens if I change a booking?
Statistics update automatically to reflect the new booking details.
Learn more and get started
Understanding your numbers is the key to making more informed decisions, avoiding mistakes, and growing your business. With Smoobu Statistics, you have everything you need in one place—clear, simple, and actionable.
Want to see it in action? Discover Smoobu Statistics or start your free 14-day trial today.