The Rental Property Market Trends 2011 report, produced by the holiday rental company Campaya, is the topic of a recent article by The Olive Press highlighting changes in demand that will influence both travelers and self-catering and vacation rental property owners.

The report shows that travelers are growing increasingly more demanding when it comes to their lodging, and The Olive Press warns that owners may be forced to spend more to attract customers while earning the same amount in rental fees as they were charging before the improvements. The trend is a win for travelers, who can expect to get more for their money as property owners compete for their patronage.

Among the emerging trends noted in the report is the increase in cultural- and activity-based holidays over beach holidays. This change is fueling a greater demand for luxury over function, as travelers look for an enhanced home-away-from-home experience, planning to spend more time at their holiday rental, dining and entertaining in to save money.

Guests now seek accommodations that combine comfort, ease of use and a unique decor. As The Olive Press cautions owners of Spanish holiday rental properties, ‘off the shelf’ furnishings will not be enough to attract renters in the current market. The top five must-have features of a holiday rental: internet service, satellite television, a pool, quality bedding, and all-around comfort. Renters want amenities such as heating and air conditioning, a washing machine, a dishwasher, and a barbecue, along with luxury items such as flat-screen televisions, game consoles, office facilities, and upgraded linens and kitchen appliances.

Campaya drew its data from a combination of information collected in its own databases and analysis of trend information from online resources. Details within the company’s report not only help travelers find a good match for their vacation rental, but help owners better market their properties.

Vacation property fraud is on the rise as the number of self catering rentals opportunities expands along with the travel market, creating more chances for fraudsters to take advantage of unwary travelers, according to a recent story created by the television show Fast Track and highlighted on the BBC website. The programme warns that, while it is increasingly popular for travelers to arrange their own holiday rentals, this part of the industry remains “totally unregulated.”

In some cases, the properties don’t exist. In others, the property is real, but the agent is not legitimate. And fraud is not always easy to detect. Some travelers booking online not only spoke to an agent, they signed contracts. According to Fast Track, police warn these scams are a growing problem for people booking their own vacation rentals. Even Washington Post journalist Brigid Schulte was nearly swept into a scam after being pressured to act quickly to secure an accommodation.

The non-profit organization Prevention of Fraud in Travel suggests consumers share information on scams to fight this type of fraud. Websites promoting travel accommodations should apply greater scrutiny regarding ads on their sites; however, the methods used to check the legitimacy of the rentals in these ads — indeed, the decision whether to investigate them at all — are up to the individual sites, according to Fast Track. Some sites do act on behalf of consumers, but the protections they offer vary. While “some websites rigorously vet those who take out ads, others act as financial middlemen,” notes Fast Track. For example, some sites offer to hold funds for travelers until the successful completion of a holiday rental has taken place.

Consumers must still act as the primary watchdogs to protect themselves and their vacation experiences. Holiday rental scams typically depend on situations where travelers pay the owner directly, so travelers should beware of situations where they are required to pay in advance for properties. Travelers should also have second thoughts if an agent or owner pressures them to send money or insists they wire money. James Marchant of VillaRenters.com suggests that a property priced under the market or suddenly discounted should set off alarm bells for consumers.

Travelers should apply the same level of care to holiday planning as they would to any other Internet transaction. As always, if it looks too good to be true, it probably isn’t. An extra measure of caution may prevent a costly, upsetting experience and a spoiled vacation.