COVID-19 restrictions and rising demand for long-term rental accommodation has seen the number of Airbnb properties in Orange fall this year.
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However, the trend is likely to reverse next year.
Tim Mortimer, who runs the BNB Made Easy short-term rental accommodation firm, said the latest figures showed there were 12 per cent less Airbnb properties in Orange than a year ago.
"This is largely due to many homeowners securing long-term tenants during the uncertain COVID period," he said.
We're getting a lot of bookings for cricket in January.
- Tim Mortimer, BNB Made Easy
"Entire properties in Orange peaked at 267 in October 2019, dipped to 228, down 15 per cent in June 2020, and it currently sits at 236 entire homes available on Airbnb," he said.
Mr Mortimer said the shortage of rental accommodation and increasing demand from workers moving to Orange had led some Airbnb owners to change their plans.
He said the trend started around March this year with the tightening of travel restrictions.
"I saw a lot switching over as fully-furnished rentals," he said. Mr Mortimer said about 30-35 properties had changed over.
He said Orange Airbnb demand peaked around April and October coinciding with major events and school holidays.
However, he said demand for Airbnb properties in Orange would increase next year as regular events, including junior sports carnivals, returned plus Orange's popularity as a wedding venue.
"We're getting a lot of bookings for cricket in January," he said.
"There is a year of weddings pushed into next year. Orange has a lot of weddings.
"The future looks very strong for short term rentals."
Mr Mortimer said there was strong accommodation demand from mine workers and while international borders were closed people were visiting Orange.
"20 per cent of our guests are going out of their way to say its their first time to our region," he said.
Mr Mortimer said he expected Airbnb operators who had switched to long-term accommodation would return to short-term.
"When they get their leases back there will be that option for them," he said.
While that creates more shortages for full-time rental accommodation he said vacancy rates fluctuated. "It comes and goes. It will sway back and forth," he said.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
