Airbnb During Chinese New Year: Pricing and Preparation Guide

Chinese New Year 2026 (January 29 - February 12) is the most profitable period for Melaka Airbnbs. Proper preparation and pricing can generate 25-35% of annual revenue in just 15 days.

CNY 2026 Calendar

• CNY Eve: January 29, 2026
• 15-day festival: January 29 - February 12, 2026
• Peak demand: January 29 - February 7 (Days 1-10)
• Shoulder demand: February 8-12 (Days 11-15)

Optimal Pricing Strategy

Tiered pricing structure:

>List for CNY, secure early bookings

CNY Period	Pricing Action	Rate Increase
Pre-CNY (Jan 1-28)	+30-40%
CNY Peak (Jan 29 - Feb 7)	Maximize rates, enforce minimum stays	+50-60%
Late CNY (Feb 8-12)	Maintain premium, fill remaining gaps	+20-30%

Minimum stays by period:

• CNY Eve - Day 3: 4-5 night minimum
• Day 4-9: 3-4 night minimum
• Day 10+: 2-3 night minimum

Preparation Checklist (Do in December)

30 days before CNY:

• Professional photography with CNY decorations
• Update listings with CNY-themed descriptions
• Stock extra supplies (linens, toiletries, essentials)
• Preventative maintenance inspection
• Contact service providers about holiday schedule

7 days before CNY:

• Install CNY decorations (lanterns, couplets, flowers)
• Prepare welcome baskets with CNY treats
• Test all appliances and systems
• Confirm all booking details with guests

Guest Communication Strategy

Pre-arrival messaging:

• CNY event highlights happening during stay
attractions within walking distance Local CNY food recommendations Emergency contact information CNY-specific house rules (if any)

During stay:

• Proactive communication about local events
• Responsive issue resolution (under 15 minutes)
• Local recommendations for CNY activities

Maximizing CNY Revenue

Revenue optimization tips:

• List early (September for CNY)
• Accept longer minimum stays for premium rates
• Offer add-on experiences (heritage tours, food crawls)
• Maintain competitive pricing (monitor rates daily)
• Use 5-platform listing for maximum exposure

Target guests: Families (40%), Singaporean weekenders (25%), cultural tourists (20%), couples (15%).

Post-CNY Strategy

Extend the season:

• Offer late-leaver discounts for guests extending into February
• Request reviews mentioning "CNY experience"
• Add CNY photos to listing for future marketing
• Plan for Chap Goh Meh (Feb 12) promotions

WhatsApp +60166996688 for complete CNY preparation and pricing strategy.