How Video Marketing Improves NZ Airbnb Experience

Why Video Matters for NZ Airbnb Hosts

In New Zealand, Airbnb has become a vital part of the tourism and short-term rental market. According to Stats NZ, over 1.5 million international and domestic guests book short-term stays each year. In such a competitive market, high-quality video content can make your property stand out, engage potential guests, and increase booking rates.

Video allows hosts to visually showcase unique features of their properties, including location, interior design, amenities, and outdoor spaces. Unlike static images, videos provide context and help guests imagine themselves staying at your property. For example, a Wellington apartment with panoramic city views or a Queenstown lodge near adventure hotspots can be more compelling when seen in motion.

• Boost Engagement: Video captures attention more effectively than photos, increasing the likelihood of inquiries and bookings.
• Showcase Unique Features: Highlight property layout, décor, natural surroundings, and nearby attractions.
• Build Trust: Video builds credibility by providing a realistic sense of space, helping guests make informed choices.
• Highlight Seasonal Appeal: Show your property in summer, winter, or during local events to attract targeted bookings.
• Enhance Online Visibility: Platforms like Vidude host videos that can be embedded on Airbnb listings, social media, and websites for increased reach.

Vidude supports NZ Airbnb hosts by providing a platform to create, host, and track video content, ensuring your property reaches the right audience with professional presentation and analytics. Hosts can schedule videos, integrate seasonal promotions, and measure performance to optimise bookings.

Tip: Focus on short, engaging videos (30–60 seconds) highlighting your property’s key selling points, local experiences, and amenities for maximum impact.

Quote: “Since we started using video to showcase our Rotorua lodge, bookings have increased by 30%. Guests love seeing the property in action before they arrive,” says Amelia Kauri, Airbnb host and property manager in Rotorua.

Highlighting Local Kiwi Experiences

One of the biggest draws for Airbnb guests in New Zealand is the opportunity to experience authentic local culture and activities. Video marketing allows hosts to showcase nearby attractions, experiences, and community highlights that make a stay unique and memorable.

From adventure tourism in Queenstown to geothermal wonders in Rotorua, and vibrant city life in Auckland or Wellington, showcasing these experiences helps potential guests imagine their stay. Highlighting Māori cultural experiences, wine tours in Marlborough, or coastal walks in the Bay of Plenty can make your listing stand out.

• Show Local Attractions: Use video to highlight nearby beaches, mountains, lakes, or city landmarks.
• Feature Cultural Experiences: Include Māori cultural events, local arts, or regional festivals to enrich the guest experience.
• Include Seasonal Activities: Winter skiing in Queenstown or summer vineyard tours in Hawke’s Bay can be compelling visual content.
• Highlight Guest Experiences: Record guests enjoying local activities (with permission) to provide authentic testimonials.
• Use Narration or Text Overlays: Describe experiences, tips, or distances to nearby attractions to guide viewers.

Vidude enables Airbnb hosts to organise these experience-focused videos into playlists, schedule seasonal campaigns, and measure which content drives the most bookings. Integrating local Kiwi experiences helps differentiate your property and appeals to both domestic and international travellers.

Tip: Capture videos during peak experience moments, such as sunrise hikes, wine tastings, or festival performances, to convey authentic excitement.

Quote: “Highlighting nearby Māori cultural tours in our Vidude videos has led to a significant increase in bookings from guests seeking authentic Rotorua experiences,” says Hemi Raukura, Airbnb host in Rotorua.

Creating Virtual Tours for Potential Guests

Virtual tours have become a key tool for Airbnb hosts in New Zealand to showcase their properties effectively. They allow potential guests to explore the layout, rooms, and amenities from anywhere, providing a realistic sense of the property before booking.

Whether your property is a luxury lodge in Queenstown, a beachside bach in the Bay of Plenty, or a city apartment in Auckland, virtual tours help highlight unique features and build trust. Guests are more likely to book when they can visualise themselves staying at your property.

• Plan the Tour: Walk through each room and highlight key features such as kitchens, living areas, outdoor spaces, and amenities.
• Use Good Lighting: Natural light enhances the visual appeal of interiors and makes spaces feel inviting.
• Keep it Smooth: Use a stabiliser or tripod to ensure fluid camera movement during filming.
• Include Narration or Text Overlays: Explain room dimensions, features, and special touches to inform guests.
• Highlight Safety & Accessibility: Include features like secure locks, smoke alarms, or wheelchair accessibility to build confidence.

Vidude allows hosts to host virtual tours, segment them into key sections, and embed them across Airbnb listings, social media, and email campaigns. Analytics tools show which segments attract the most engagement, helping refine content for maximum bookings.

Tip: Keep virtual tours concise (2–3 minutes) while covering all major areas, and focus on storytelling that emphasises comfort, convenience, and unique experiences.

Quote: “Creating a virtual tour on Vidude made our Auckland apartment listing more engaging and reduced last-minute guest questions about layout,” says Jordan Ngatai, Airbnb host in Auckland.

Seasonal Promotions & Special Offers

Seasonal promotions and special offers are highly effective for boosting Airbnb bookings across New Zealand. Whether it’s a summer holiday in the Bay of Plenty, a winter ski season in Queenstown, or a cultural festival in Rotorua, video marketing allows hosts to highlight time-sensitive offers and seasonal experiences.

Videos can showcase limited-time deals, festive decorations, or seasonal amenities, creating urgency and encouraging bookings. Incorporating local NZ culture and seasonal trends adds authenticity and resonates with both domestic and international travellers.

• Summer Promotions: Highlight beachside properties, outdoor decks, and water activities.
• Winter Specials: Showcase cozy lodges, fireplaces, and nearby ski resorts.
• Festivals & Events: Promote bookings during Matariki, Christmas, school holidays, or local wine festivals.
• Early-Bird or Last-Minute Offers: Use video to draw attention to limited-time deals and encourage immediate bookings.
• Highlight Local Produce & Cuisine: Showcase seasonal menus or unique NZ food experiences available at the property.

Vidude enables hosts to schedule seasonal campaigns in advance, target specific regions, and track video engagement and conversions. This data helps optimise future promotions and ensures every campaign reaches the right audience at the right time.

Tip: Align your video content with New Zealand holidays, school terms, and peak tourist seasons for maximum relevance and bookings.

Quote: “Using Vidude to run summer and festival promotions has significantly increased bookings for our Wellington apartment,” says Leanne Tupuhi, Airbnb host in Wellington.

Guest Testimonials and Reviews on Video

Guest testimonials are one of the most powerful tools for building trust and driving bookings on Airbnb. In New Zealand, where travellers often seek authentic experiences and reliable hosts, video testimonials can make your property stand out and provide credibility that photos and text reviews alone cannot.

Recording short, authentic guest reviews allows potential guests to see real people sharing their experiences, highlighting the property’s unique features, location benefits, and host hospitality. Video testimonials also capture the enthusiasm and emotions that text reviews can’t convey.

• Request Testimonials: Politely ask satisfied guests to provide a short video review, ideally 30–60 seconds.
• Highlight Unique Features: Encourage guests to mention aspects such as scenic views, local attractions, or special amenities.
• Keep it Authentic: Avoid scripted content; genuine stories resonate better with viewers.
• Integrate Into Listings: Embed testimonial videos on Airbnb listings, social media, or your website for maximum impact.
• Seasonal or Event Testimonials: Feature guest experiences during local festivals, holidays, or seasonal events for added relevance.

Vidude helps hosts organise, edit, and distribute video testimonials efficiently. Analytics features allow you to see which testimonials generate the most engagement, helping guide future video campaigns.

Tip: Rotate testimonial videos regularly to show fresh experiences and maintain engagement with repeat and new guests.

Quote: “Our Vidude video testimonials from past guests have been a key factor in boosting bookings, especially from first-time visitors to our Rotorua lodge,” says Kiri Mahuta, Airbnb host in Rotorua.

Behind-the-Scenes & Host Stories

Sharing behind-the-scenes content and host stories is a powerful way for Airbnb hosts in New Zealand to connect with potential guests. Videos that highlight the people, processes, and care behind each property create a personal connection and reinforce trust.

Guests want to know that hosts are attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in their stay. By showcasing cleaning routines, local insights, or personal touches—such as welcome baskets with New Zealand produce—hosts can differentiate their properties and build a loyal following.

• Show Your Process: Share how you prepare the property for guests, including cleaning, staging, and safety measures.
• Introduce Yourself: Brief host introductions help personalise the experience and establish rapport.
• Highlight Local Knowledge: Share tips on nearby attractions, restaurants, or hidden gems in the region.
• Use Short Clips: 30–60 second videos are ideal for social media and listing pages.
• Incorporate Seasonal Themes: Show how you adapt your property for holidays or seasonal activities in NZ.

Vidude makes it easy to create, organise, and distribute behind-the-scenes content. Hosts can schedule videos, create playlists, and monitor engagement to see what resonates most with potential guests.

Tip: Focus on authenticity and personality—viewers respond to hosts who are genuine, welcoming, and knowledgeable about their property and locale.

Quote: “Sharing short videos about our preparation process and local tips has helped our guests feel more confident and excited about their stay,” says Manaia Te Aho, Airbnb host in Wellington.

Optimising Video for Mobile & Social Media

In New Zealand, travellers increasingly browse Airbnb listings and travel inspiration on mobile devices and social media platforms. To maximise engagement, Airbnb hosts need videos that are mobile-friendly, visually compelling, and shareable across channels.

Short, vertical or square-format videos work best for Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, while landscape formats may suit YouTube and embedded listings. By tailoring your content to the platform, you ensure a seamless viewing experience and higher engagement rates.

• Keep It Short: Aim for 15–60 second videos for social media to capture attention quickly.
• Use Captions or Text Overlays: Many viewers watch videos without sound, so key messages should be readable.
• Platform-Specific Formats: Vertical for TikTok/Instagram Stories, square for Instagram feed, horizontal for YouTube and website embeds.
• Highlight Property & Local Experiences: Ensure the first few seconds show what makes your Airbnb unique.
• Include a Call-to-Action: Encourage viewers to book, visit your listing, or watch more videos on Vidude.

Vidude helps NZ hosts optimise video formats for multiple platforms, schedule content, and track engagement metrics. Analytics allow you to see which formats and content types perform best, helping refine future campaigns.

Tip: Test different video lengths and formats to see what resonates most with domestic and international audiences.

Quote: “Adapting our Airbnb videos for mobile and social media through Vidude has dramatically increased engagement, especially with younger travellers in Auckland and Wellington,” says Rangi Whaanga, Airbnb host in Auckland.

Using Video to Highlight Property Safety & Cleanliness

Safety and cleanliness are top priorities for Airbnb guests in New Zealand. With travellers increasingly concerned about hygiene standards, especially post-COVID, video marketing offers a powerful way to reassure guests and build confidence in your property.

Video allows hosts to visually demonstrate cleanliness protocols, safety measures, and well-maintained facilities. Guests can see that the property is prepared for a safe and comfortable stay, reducing anxiety and increasing booking likelihood.

• Show Cleaning Procedures: Capture short clips of how rooms are prepared, including sanitisation of high-touch areas.
• Highlight Safety Features: Smoke alarms, secure locks, handrails, and first-aid kits can be demonstrated visually.
• Include Outdoor Safety: Show well-lit entrances, secure outdoor areas, and pool or balcony safety measures.
• Guest Confidence: Videos showcasing safety and hygiene reassure potential guests and encourage bookings.
• Seasonal Considerations: Highlight winter heating safety or summer insect precautions in relevant NZ regions.

Vidude enables Airbnb hosts to create, host, and schedule these safety-focused videos. Analytics help track which videos are most viewed and shared, guiding future content to enhance guest confidence.

Tip: Keep videos concise and visually clear, using captions or narration to explain safety measures.

Quote: “Our guests frequently comment on how reassuring it is to see our cleaning process in our Vidude videos. It’s made a real difference in winter bookings,” says Moana Te Rangi, Airbnb host in Queenstown.

Distribution Strategies for Maximum Reach

Creating high-quality videos is just the first step for NZ Airbnb hosts; effective distribution is essential to ensure your content reaches the right audience. By strategically sharing videos across multiple channels, hosts can increase visibility, engagement, and ultimately, bookings.

Video content can be distributed on Airbnb listings, social media, email campaigns, tourism boards, and travel blogs. Tailoring your distribution strategy to local Kiwi audiences—whether domestic weekend travellers or international visitors planning a holiday—enhances relevance and impact.

• Airbnb Listings: Embed videos directly to showcase property highlights and virtual tours.
• Social Media Platforms: Share short clips on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube to engage different audience segments.
• Email Campaigns: Include video snippets in newsletters or booking confirmations to maintain engagement.
• Collaborate with Tourism Boards: Partner with regional tourism organisations to feature your property in promotional videos.
• Leverage Influencers: Invite local influencers or bloggers to create video content featuring your property.

Vidude provides tools for scheduling, playlist organisation, and performance analytics across platforms. Hosts can target specific regions in New Zealand, schedule seasonal campaigns, and track which videos drive the most engagement and conversions.

Tip: Combine multiple channels for distribution, monitor engagement metrics, and adjust strategies to maximise reach and bookings.

Quote: “Using Vidude’s scheduling and regional targeting, we’ve been able to promote our Wellington apartment effectively across social media and email campaigns, increasing winter bookings by 20%,” says Rauhina Te Kahu, Airbnb host in Wellington.

Measuring Video Performance & ROI

For Airbnb hosts in New Zealand, measuring the performance of video campaigns is crucial to understand what drives bookings and guest engagement. Video analytics provide insights into viewer behaviour, engagement rates, and conversion potential, allowing hosts to refine their content strategy and maximise ROI.

By tracking metrics such as watch time, click-through rates, and social shares, hosts can identify which videos resonate most with potential guests. NZ-specific seasonal trends, regional preferences, and guest demographics can further guide optimisation for future campaigns.

• Track Engagement: Monitor views, average watch time, and audience drop-off points.
• Measure Conversions: Link video campaigns to bookings to see which content drives results.
• Analyse Platform Performance: Compare social media, Airbnb listing, and email campaign performance to identify the most effective channels.
• Use Regional Insights: Adjust campaigns based on NZ city or regional engagement trends, such as Auckland versus Queenstown bookings.
• Iterate and Optimise: Update scripts, visuals, or promotions based on analytics to continuously improve ROI.

Vidude provides comprehensive analytics tools that allow NZ Airbnb hosts to monitor the performance of all their videos in one dashboard. You can segment by campaign, region, or video type, making it easier to make data-driven decisions that maximise bookings.

Tip: Regularly review analytics after each campaign and adjust your video content, distribution, and promotion strategies to optimise performance.

Quote: “Vidude’s analytics dashboard helped us see which property videos were driving the most bookings, allowing us to focus on content that truly converts,” says Mana Heke, Airbnb host in Queenstown.

Case Studies: Successful NZ Airbnb Hosts Using Vidude

Real-world examples show how New Zealand Airbnb hosts have used Vidude video marketing to boost engagement, increase bookings, and showcase unique experiences. These case studies illustrate measurable outcomes and practical strategies.

These examples highlight how different video strategies—from virtual tours to seasonal campaigns—can directly impact booking performance. NZ Airbnb hosts can adapt similar approaches for their properties and use Vidude’s analytics to optimise results.

Tip: Start with one type of video campaign, measure results using Vidude analytics, and expand successful strategies to other videos or seasonal promotions.

Quote: “Using Vidude to showcase our Rotorua lodge with local experiences and guest testimonials has made a huge difference in attracting bookings from both domestic and international guests,” says Hera Ngata, Airbnb host in Rotorua.

Practical Tips for First-Time Airbnb Video Campaigns

For New Zealand Airbnb hosts launching their first video marketing campaign, it’s important to plan carefully and focus on content that resonates with potential guests. Videos should showcase the property, local experiences, and host personality in a concise and engaging way.

• Plan Your Content: Identify key selling points, property highlights, and nearby attractions to feature in your videos.
• Keep It Short and Engaging: 30–60 second videos work best for social media and listing pages.
• Use Good Lighting and Audio: Natural light enhances visuals, and clear audio improves professionalism.
• Showcase Local Experiences: Include nearby activities, cultural events, or seasonal attractions to enrich the guest experience.
• Include Host Personality: Short introductions or behind-the-scenes clips create trust and connection with viewers.
• Leverage Vidude Tools: Use Vidude to host videos, organise playlists, schedule campaigns, and monitor analytics.
• Test & Optimise: Monitor engagement metrics, gather guest feedback, and adjust your strategy for future campaigns.
• Highlight Safety & Cleanliness: Include short clips showing hygiene protocols and safety measures to reassure guests.
• Use Captions & Text Overlays: Many viewers watch without sound, so key messages should be clear visually.
• Be Consistent: Regularly upload videos to maintain visibility and attract repeat or new guests.

By following these practical tips, NZ Airbnb hosts can create compelling video campaigns that increase bookings, engage guests, and enhance the overall guest experience. Vidude provides the tools and analytics to make video marketing efficient and measurable.

Quote: “Starting our first Vidude video campaign was simpler than expected, and seeing the engagement stats helped us improve each video,” says Tui Manawa, Airbnb host in Christchurch.

Conclusion & Take Action

Video marketing is transforming the way Airbnb hosts in New Zealand attract and engage guests. From showcasing unique properties and local Kiwi experiences to highlighting safety, cleanliness, and seasonal promotions, videos allow hosts to build trust, boost bookings, and create memorable stays.

Platforms like Vidude make it simple for hosts to create, host, distribute, and analyse videos, ensuring campaigns reach the right audience and deliver measurable results. By integrating storytelling, authentic testimonials, virtual tours, and behind-the-scenes content, NZ Airbnb hosts can elevate their listings above the competition.

Start small, track results, and gradually expand your video marketing efforts to maximise impact. Every well-crafted video is an opportunity to connect with potential guests and showcase the unique charm of your property and region.

Ready to elevate your Airbnb listings with video? Sign up on Vidude today and start creating compelling video campaigns that engage guests and drive bookings across New Zealand.

FAQs & Call to Action

• Q1: How long should my Airbnb video be?

  A1: Keep videos between 30–60 seconds for social media and Airbnb listings; virtual tours can be up to 3 minutes.

• Q2: Can I use my smartphone to create videos?

  A2: Yes! Modern smartphones with stabilisers or tripods can produce high-quality videos suitable for Vidude hosting.

• Q3: What local Kiwi experiences should I include?

  A3: Highlight nearby attractions, Māori cultural events, regional festivals, or unique activities specific to your property’s location.

• Q4: How can I showcase safety and cleanliness?

  A4: Record short clips of cleaning procedures, safety features, and well-maintained amenities to reassure guests.

• Q5: Should I include guest testimonials?

  A5: Absolutely! Video testimonials build trust and demonstrate authentic guest experiences.

• Q6: How do I promote seasonal offers?

  A6: Use Vidude to schedule videos highlighting holiday specials, summer or winter deals, and local festivals.

• Q7: Which social media platforms are best for Airbnb videos?

  A7: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube are ideal for reaching domestic and international travellers.

• Q8: How do I optimise videos for mobile?

  A8: Use vertical or square formats, add captions, and ensure videos are visually engaging for small screens.

• Q9: Can Vidude track video performance?

  A9: Yes, Vidude provides analytics to monitor engagement, watch time, and conversions to optimise future campaigns.

• Q10: How do I start my first Airbnb video campaign?

  A10: Plan key highlights, film short engaging clips, upload to Vidude, and monitor analytics to improve.

• Q11: Can I embed Vidude videos on my Airbnb listing?

  A11: Yes, Vidude videos can be embedded on listings, social media, and websites to maximise visibility.

• Q12: Do videos really increase bookings?

  A12: Yes! NZ hosts have reported 20–40% increases in bookings by using engaging property and experience videos on Vidude.