Direct Owner-to-Renter Service
Interview with KOALA CEO Mike Kennedy*
Sharon Scott Wilson, RRP, publisher of Resort Trades, recently sat down with Mike Kennedy, CEO of KOALA, to discuss KOALA’s vacation rental platform. KOALA stands out by offering a unique and secure marketplace that enables timeshare owners to rent directly to vacationers. The conversation highlighted the growing importance of KOALA’s integration with leading platforms like VRBO, enabling timeshare owners to maximize their rental visibility.
Introducing KOALA Pro
One of the key innovations Mike Kennedy shared is the KOALA Pro platform, the first vacation rental software designed specifically for timeshare owners. With KOALA Pro, timeshare owners are empowered with tools previously only available to hotels and managers, such as a timeshare management system (TMS), channel managers, and payment processing solutions. This software simplifies the listing process for timeshare owners, enabling them to manage and rent out their properties with ease across multiple channels, and enabling individual owners to have access to a broad rental market.
KOALA Pro seamlessly integrates with travel platforms like VRBO, providing extensive visibility to a large audience. This partnership ensures that every listing on KOALA Pro is visible on VRBO’s network, which boasts over 15 million unique monthly visitors. This expanded reach allows timeshare owners to get maximum exposure for their listings while modernizing the booking process.
Revolutionizing the Secondary Market
A recurring theme in the interview was how KOALA aims to modernize the timeshare secondary market. Mike Kennedy explained the challenges timeshare owners face when trying to rent out their properties, particularly the outdated practice of using personal checks or platforms like PayPal. KOALA addresses this by streamlining the rental process with digital tools, eliminating cumbersome steps, and enhancing security for both renters and owners.
One of the most compelling features of KOALA is its ability to handle the complex inventory found in the timeshare market. Many timeshare owners may not fully understand the specifics of their ownership, whether they have fixed weeks, floating weeks, or points-based systems. KOALA Pro simplifies this complexity by allowing timeshare owners to list their properties more efficiently while managing reservations and transactions digitally.
The Community-Driven Nature of Timeshare Rentals
Timeshare owners have long relied on a tight-knit community for their rental transactions. KOALA embraces this community-driven model while modernizing the process. Owners can now offer their rental listings through their own customizable storefronts, creating a more personalized experience. This shift allows owners to continue building relationships with repeat renters while offering a secure and hassle-free booking process.
Sharon and Mike also discussed how KOALA’s platform benefits legacy resorts, many of which lack the resources to create their own rental programs. With KOALA, these resorts gain access to a comprehensive rental solution that integrates seamlessly with their existing systems, providing a much-needed upgrade for the secondary market.
Bridging the Gap Between the Primary and Secondary Markets
Mike Kennedy touched on an ongoing challenge within the timeshare industry: the division between the primary market (new sales) and the secondary market (resales and rentals). He emphasized that KOALA seeks to bridge this gap, creating a more integrated ecosystem where both markets can benefit from improved technology and greater collaboration. By providing better tools and data, KOALA hopes to ease friction in the sales process and bolster demand for timeshares by showcasing their rental potential.
One of the most exciting aspects of KOALA’s platform is the valuable secondary market data it generates. This data, which has historically been a “black box” in the industry, provides insights into how non-timeshare owners are interacting with timeshare properties, what they’re willing to pay, and where they want to vacation. This information could be a game-changer for developers and resort operators as they strategize their marketing and sales efforts.
Looking to the Future
As the conversation wrapped up, Mike Kennedy expressed optimism about the future of the timeshare industry, particularly with the rise of the next generation of timeshare, vacation owners, and travel club members who will likely begin as digital-savvy renters. KOALA is well-positioned to cater to this emerging demographic, providing a flexible and tech-driven approach to timeshare rentals that aligns with their expectations for convenience and transparency.
KOALA’s mission is clear: to modernize the timeshare industry by empowering owners with the tools they need to manage their properties efficiently, while also making timeshare rentals more accessible to a wider audience. With KOALA Pro, timeshare owners can enjoy a modern, user-friendly platform that streamlines their rental operations, increases visibility, and ultimately boosts demand in the secondary market.
This interview provides a fascinating glimpse into how KOALA is transforming the way timeshare owners can find renters and how resort ownership will be introduced to new prospective buyers. As Mike Kennedy and his team continue to innovate, timeshare owners and vacationers alike stand to benefit from a more connected, efficient, and secure marketplace. Whether you’re a timeshare owner looking to rent out your property or a vacationer seeking high-quality accommodations at top resorts, KOALA offers a dynamic solution that’s reshaping the landscape of vacation rentals.
