New directory harmonises disparate vacation homes market

This week saw the launch of a new Internet directory for the highly popular, but hugely fragmented, vacation rentals industry. Although the market globally is worth billions of dollars, it flies "under the radar" of the traditional travel industry and goes largely unreported. The new directory has set itself the unashamedly grandiose task of forming a central hub for the industry.

July 9, 2004 -- This week saw the launch of a new Internet directory for the highly popular, but hugely fragmented, vacation rentals industry.

The Vacation Rentals Directory is the first human-edited web directory dedicated entirely to holiday homes and vacation rental websites worldwide. Operating on a PFI basis (pay-for-inclusion), the site has already accepted hundreds of new applications from the estimated tens of thousands of websites in the marketplace.

Holiday homes and vacation rentals are traditionally privately owned and rented. Although the market globally is worth billions of pounds, it flies "under the radar" of the traditional travel industry and goes largely unreported. This leaves many companies and private owners feeling largely alone.

With its community-based approach, the new directory has set itself the unashamedly grandiose task of forming a central hub for the industry.

"We've already had a great reaction in the marketplace." says Richard Speigal, Managing Director. "People in this business are incredibly eager to have a platform to talk and share their experiences now they have one. News and articles from homeowners, agents and webmasters are flooding into the office faster than we can publish them!"

The site has been designed with total simplicity in mind, using a Google-style page layout and member sites are categorised by geographic location using a proven taxonomy-based approach. News, articles and advice are available in the free monthly e-mail bulletin.

There is a $38 fee to be listed, guaranteeing inclusion for 12 months. The site enforces strict editorial guidelines and, unusually, has undertaken not to allow any other forms of advertising. To quote the editorial rules, "...if it isn't a vacation rental it doesn't belong here." Higher placements are available at an extra cost. There is also opportunity for additional listings in multiple categories a welcome feature for webmasters of larger sites.

Further information is available at www.vacationrentalsdirectory.net

Contact:
Richard Speigal, Managing Director
The Breaks Company (UK) Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)871 711 2213 / +34 928 524495
Web: www.vacationrentalsdirectory.net