How Avito Travel’s Recommendation System Helps Hosts Boost Bookings

What’s changed for hosts?

The Avito Travel platform has introduced a tool that offers every apartment or house owner a personalized set of tips. The goal is to show which exact listing details influence a guest’s decision and how to improve them to increase bookings and, consequently, income.

Why these hints became necessary?

The short‑term rental market in Russia is quite competitive, yet hosts often don’t know which changes actually work. The traditional approach – trying different prices, swapping photos “by eye” – rarely yields predictable results. The new service turns this uncertainty into a clear strategy: owners receive concrete recommendations, can compare their metrics with similar properties, and see which steps will bring the biggest impact.

How are the recommendations generated?

All hints are based on analysis of large data sets: listing views, actual bookings, reviews, and guest behavior in chat. The algorithm highlights the elements that statistically raise the chance of a property being chosen. Key factors include:

• number and quality of photos;
• completeness and accuracy of the description;
• correctness of the availability calendar;
• presence of reviews and a high rating;
• speed and politeness of responses to inquiries.

Each of these items receives its own score, and the system suggests concrete actions – add a few more pictures, clarify details about appliances, enable automatic calendar updates, and so on.

What do hosts get?

Step‑by‑step improvement plan

Recommendations are divided into levels. In the first stage, basic changes are suggested that already generate a noticeable rise in guest interest. After completing them, the host automatically receives a commission reduction from 20 % to 17 %.

Extra bonuses for deeper work

If the owner implements second‑level recommendations – more detailed ones such as creating a check‑in guide or activating smart discounts during low‑demand periods – the commission can drop to 15 %. Thus, the financial result is directly linked to service quality.

Ability to benchmark against competitors

The platform shows how the property’s current metrics compare with similar offers in the same region. This helps identify where you lag and which changes should be prioritized.

How does this benefit guests?

With more complete and visually appealing listings, travelers receive clearer information about the accommodation. Quick host responses and the presence of instructions save time on negotiations, and the discount system makes the offer more flexible when demand is low. As a result, the selection and check‑in process becomes predictable and comfortable.

Practical example

Imagine you have a small apartment in the city centre. The system analyses it and issues three first‑level recommendations:

1. Add two more photos showing the kitchen and bathroom.
2. Specify in the description that Wi‑Fi and air‑conditioning are available.
3. Update the calendar to exclude dates when the place is unavailable.

After implementing these steps you’ll see an increase in views, and the commission will already be reduced. At the second level the system might suggest creating a guest checklist so they can quickly find keys and instructions, as well as enabling an automatic weekday discount. By carrying out these actions you obtain an even lower commission and boost your rating in the system.

What’s next?

Developers promise to expand the set of hints and introduce additional rewards for completing them. The plan is for the platform to become a daily assistant that points out the little tweaks needed to keep the business stable and profitable.

Bottom line

The new recommendation system from Avito Travel is not just a list of tips; it’s a full mechanism that ties service quality to financial benefits. Hosts get a clear action plan, the ability to compare themselves with competitors, and direct savings through lower commissions. Guests, in turn, enjoy more informative and reliable listings, making their trips more comfortable. If you own short‑term rental property in Russia, it’s worth paying attention to this platform and start improving your listings today.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.