Posted on 9/22/2017By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team

It's bad manners to keep a vacation waiting! Luckily, in this day and age, planning your perfect holiday has never been easier.

If you're like many vacationers, the Internet has become your best friend when it comes to booking a week of sandy beaches, clear skies, no worries, and blissful relaxation. Nothing is easier than sitting in the comfort of your own home, wine in hand, hammering out every vacation detail using only the internet and a few quick clicks. Check that off the list!

This increased use of the websites for sharing goods and services has led to a phenomenon called the "sharing economy". If you haven't heard this term, chances are you're at least familiar with some of its major players. We're talking companies like Uber and AirBnb.

We, too, follow a business model similar to the sharing economy…but we do it better! By using and improving upon this model, we ensure your vacation is the best it can be, with no hassle to you. So, how do we do it better? To answer that, we need to delve into the details of what the sharing economy is, who uses it, and its pros and cons.

What is the sharing economy?

First, what is the sharing economy? A sharing economy is an economic model in which goods, services, or assets are shared via the Internet between private individuals. Because so many have access to the Internet or apps, it is easy for almost anyone to share their goods and services with others directly. This collaborative way of doing business allows individuals to participate in the economy in a unique and beneficial way, and certain companies have blossomed using this model.

Major Players

One of the major players in the sharing economy is Uber. This personable taxi service has opened the playing field for both drivers and riders. Drivers use their own car to chauffeur individuals who need a ride, whether to the big game, dinner with friends, or a night out on the town. Riders enjoy the convenience of a taxi but with lower costs and the easy, cash-free transfer of payment via their app. AirBnb is another key participant in the sharing economy, particularly in the vacation rental business. Homeowners have the opportunity to make money from their underused assets such as a spare bedroom, while renters enjoy a more comfortable, intimate setting than a large hotel.

When you look at it, the sharing economy's collaborative consumption model seems like the perfect option for sellers and consumers alike. However, as with any economic model, there are both pros and cons.

Sharing Economy Pros and Cons

The sharing economy offers pros and cons to both seller and consumer. For sellers, the biggest pro is the ability to participate in the economy without having to operate a large business. They simply share underused assets via the Internet and to market to a base of interested consumers.

For the consumer, benefits include:

• Lower costs
• Easy transfer of goods and services
• More personable

Of course, when you conduct business via the Internet, there may be some negative aspects as well. Cons include:

• Personalities to deal with
• Fewer resources
• Not getting what you expect
• Possibility of scams

As mentioned previously, AirBnb is one of the biggest names in the vacation rental business. While it may seem like a great idea to rent directly from a homeowner and enjoy the intimacies and comforts of a private bedroom rather than a hotel, you may run into problems. Oftentimes, with AirBnb rentals, you are staying with the homeowners, meaning dealing with different personalities, and you may not feel as relaxed as you had hoped on your vacation. Homeowners also have fewer resources than a hotel chain or a vacation rental management company, resulting in an under-par holiday.

So how do you enjoy the benefits of the sharing economy, particularly when on vacation, but still enjoy the comforts of a larger business? Cue Ocean Reef Resorts because that's where we come in!

Taking the Sharing Economy to the Next Level

At Ocean Reef Resorts, we understand the needs of both sellers and consumers, so our business model takes the sharing economy as it relates to vacation rentals to the next level!

Here's what we do.

We take individual, one-of-a-kind properties that people own and offer them to visitors. In this way, we work with buyers and sellers to ensure both benefit from the transfer of goods and services. As a seller, you have the opportunity to share your underused assets, with our guaranteed care, cleaning, and maintenance services to keep your property in tip-top shape. As a renter, you enjoy the comforts of staying in a home away from home…without sharing space with homeowners like AirBnb and without the indifferent, impersonal feel of a hotel. When you book your vacation with us, you will enjoy rentals that fit your style and personalized care with all the benefits of a large, hospitality company.

Essentially, we aim to give you a Destin or South Walton beach vacation you will never forget!

Imagine relaxing in a beautiful, upscale home, where your questions and concerns are taken care of efficiently and effectively. You experience the conveniences of a large corporation, from 24-hour service, relationships with local vendors, an experienced team of vacation specialists that match guests to the perfect rental, the ability to move you to another home if necessary, and much more!

Who knew a collaborative economic system could offer a kind of intimacy that is changing the way companies and individuals do business? We want our patrons, you, to experience the sharing economy at its best. That is why we strive to continually improve upon this great model and share its benefits with you.

So what do you say? Give yourself the vacation you deserve and experience our version of the sharing economy in one of our many Gulf Coast properties in Destin & South Walton!

The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.