Google Vacation Rentals and TripAdvisor are search and metasearch channels: they show your property, rates and availability to travelers who have not decided where to book. Optimizing them means accurate listing content and photos, rate parity and availability across channels, and a direct booking link that is competitive with the OTAs.
Indiana Dunes sells mostly through Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com. Short-term rental revenue management in the Dunes is about the summer weekend. We set two-night minimums from June to August, price Saturdays highest, and use weekday discounts to catch families and remote workers. Beach distance and parking drive pricing more than size alone, so cottages near the sand get the biggest premiums. Outside summer, we shorten stays, add Notre Dame game weekends where relevant, and keep winter floors steady for casino and holiday guests.
Airbnb is the main channel for cottages and beach homes, while Vrbo attracts families booking full weeks in July and August. Booking.com reaches casino visitors and Chicago couples comparing hotels and rentals. We keep rates aligned across all three, mention the South Shore Line station and the walking distance to the beach, and use Booking.com mobile deals in the shoulder months.
The full service is described on our other ota optimization page; this page covers how it applies in Indiana Dunes.