Vacasa launches first international properties in Belize
December 11, 2014
For more information, contact:
Scott Breon
press@vacasa.com
503-343-4221
PORTLAND — Vacasa, named Oregon's fastest-growing private company by Inc. Magazine, announced that is has officially begun international expansion. The tech-based vacation rental management company now offers 20 properties on the Placencia peninsula in Belize.
Vacasa's Chief Operating Officer and co-founder Cliff Johnson says he and CEO Eric Breon have had Central and South American expansion in mind since the beginning.
"We chose the name Vacasa because we felt it had the potential for international branding- the second part means 'home' in Spanish," says Johnson. "All around the world, people are starting to choose vacation rentals more and more, and we're excited to be a part of this rising global trend."
Placencia is a TripAdvisor-ranked top tourist destination, playing home to almost 200,000 annual visitors from the United States alone. Located in the Caribbean Sea, visitors come for the tropical climate and world class fishing, sailing, snorkeling, and national parks.
Vacasa will introduce its full range of marketing and rate optimization technologies to all of its new properties. This tech-based backing, combined with a local, hands-on approach to care taking, is Vacasa's guiding strategy that has allowed the company to achieve rapid growth and success since its founding in 2009.
"In the last year and a half, we've used that strategy to bring West Coast vacation rental homeowners onto a more level playing field with much larger industries like hotels and resorts," says Chief Strategy Officer Scott Breon. "In Belize, these industries tend to be even more dominant, but we're up for the challenge and can't wait to offer the opportunity to homeowners and travelers in a new part of the world."
Vacasa's Vice President of Business Developement Yael Livneh will initially run operations in Belize to ensure a smooth and consistent transition.
"It was crucial that we had someone on the ground to make sure that our first international destination is a success," says Johnson, "and Yael isn't too disappointed to leave the rainy Portland winter for sunny shores!"
Johnson saw the opportunity to go international when Shaul Streifler of Berkshire Hathway Home Services and Koenig Rubloff International contacted him about a potential partnership to introduce US investors to real estate opportunities in Belize. They began talking, but it wasn't until the duo met Boris Mannsfeld that things started coming together. Mannsfeld has been in the real estate industry in Belize for more than 20 years and was able to introduce Vacasa to several developers in the Placencia market who were eager to bring guests and buyers to the area.
Next up? Johnson says expansion to other countries like Panama and Mexico are already in the works, and the company's leadership team has begun preliminary discussions with potential European partners as well.
Travelers can learn more about Vacasa's new properties here
About Vacasa
Vacasa is a technology startup offering full-service vacation rental property management and marketing, based in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2009, Vacasa currently provides professional rental management for over 1,200 homes throughout seven states, including many of the most desirable vacation destinations in the western US. From laid back beach cottages on the Oregon Coast to luxury ski chalets in Vail, Vacasa is proud to offer the perfect vacation rental for every taste and budget. With an emphasis on developing industry-leading technology and personalized customer service, Vacasa's motto- Vacation Rentals Made Easy- holds true for both homeowners and guests. Learn more about Vacasa: www.vacasa.com
