Promote your accommodation business with VisitBude

VisitBude membership is a professional, two-way partnership designed to promote your accommodation, strengthen the destination and help drive bookings directly to your business.

As a member, you benefit from multi-channel promotion through the VisitBude website, the Bude Accommodation Guide, the Tourist Information Centre and our social media platforms. Your website listing includes images, a full description, Google Map location, guest reviews, a link to your own website and a live availability calendar with online booking functionality. Direct bookings and referrals are commission free, with only 10% commission applied to bookings made directly through VisitBude.

The printed Bude Accommodation Guide is produced in-house and widely distributed to visitors already in Bude and to prospective visitors requesting information. Each listing includes images, a description, price guide, essential facilities and a QR code linking directly to your online listing.

Members can further increase visibility through promoting special offers, seasonal packages and late availability across VisitBude platforms. Social media campaigns, property spotlights and themed promotions provide additional exposure to audiences actively planning a stay in Bude.

In return, we ask members to uphold standards that protect visitors and maintain the reputation of Bude as a trusted destination. This includes operating a safe, clean and legal business; maintaining accurate pricing and availability; communicating promptly with guests; paying commission invoices in a timely manner; displaying the VisitBude membership logo with a reciprocal website link; and providing high-quality images and accurate descriptions.

VisitBude membership is designed to be collaborative, transparent and commercially effective, supporting your business and the Bude Tourist Information Centre, while collectively promoting Bude as an exceptional place to stay.

What types of accommodation do you promote?

VisitBude promotes a wide range of accommodation across Bude and the surrounding area, ensuring visitors can easily find options to suit different budgets, group sizes and holiday styles.

We feature VisitBude member properties including:

  • Hotels and guest houses
  • Bed & breakfasts
  • Self-catering cottages and holiday lets
  • Holiday parks and lodges
  • Glamping sites and cabins
  • Camping and touring sites
  • Inns and pubs with rooms

We currently primarily promote holiday cottages and self-catering holiday lets, as these make up a large proportion of accommodation in the Bude area. However, we are keen to expand our coverage to encompass more businesses across other sectors, including hotels, B&Bs, campsites, holiday parks and unique places to stay.

Bude’s visitors are varied, and we recognise the importance of offering accommodation to suit all budgets, from simple camping and touring options to premium holiday cottages and boutique guest houses. Providing a broad and balanced range of places to stay helps ensure every visitor can find suitable accommodation, supporting both the visitor experience and the wider local economy.

All listed accommodation must operate as safe, clean and fully compliant businesses, providing visitors with confidence when choosing where to stay.

I list my holiday let with an agency – how does it work with VisitBude?

Yes. Many of our members advertise both with VisitBude and through agencies or online travel platforms, while others choose to use VisitBude as their primary promotional channel.

VisitBude works alongside your existing marketing rather than replacing it, providing additional, destination-focused promotion that reaches visitors specifically looking to stay in Bude. This includes visibility on the VisitBude website, in our printed Accommodation Guide and through enquiries handled by the Tourist Information Centre, helping you capture guests who are actively seeking trusted local recommendations.

Our aim is to help you generate more direct bookings and enquiries, reducing reliance on high-commission booking channels. While agencies can be useful, they often charge around 20% commission per booking. By promoting your property through VisitBude, you increase the chances of securing direct, commission-free bookings where you retain all of your revenue and build a direct relationship with your guests.

I list my B&B on Airbnb and Booking.com – how does it work with VisitBude?

You can continue using Airbnb, Booking.com or any other OTA exactly as you do now. VisitBude works alongside these platforms to give your accommodation additional local visibility and help generate more direct enquiries and bookings.

Your property will be promoted through the VisitBude website, our printed Accommodation Guide and recommendations made by the Tourist Information Centre. Visitors often use VisitBude as a trusted local source when deciding where to stay, particularly if they are already in Bude or planning a future visit and want to book directly.

You can link your VisitBude listing to your own website or booking system, and if you use an existing online calendar, we can integrate this via iCal so your availability stays in sync. This means you can manage your availability in one place while still benefiting from the extra exposure VisitBude provides.

Many members choose to advertise with both VisitBude and major booking platforms, while others rely primarily on VisitBude to encourage more direct bookings and reduce commission costs. By capturing visitors who are searching locally, VisitBude helps you balance agency bookings with higher-value direct enquiries.

Who dictates my pricing? Do you reduce my prices like agencies do?

You remain in full control of your pricing at all times.

VisitBude does not set, alter or discount your rates. You decide your own pricing, offers and booking terms, exactly as you would for direct bookings made through your own website or by phone/email enquiries.

Unlike some booking agencies that encourage discounted rates or apply pricing pressures to remain competitive on their platforms, VisitBude’s role is simply to promote your accommodation and help generate enquiries and bookings at your chosen rates.

Our aim is to support fair, transparent pricing that works for your business while helping you secure more direct bookings, allowing you to retain more revenue without the need to reduce your prices or pay high commission fees.

How much does it cost to list my accommodation with VisitBude?

Promoting your accommodation with VisitBude is designed to be affordable, transparent and fair, with costs scaled to the size of your business.

Membership starts with a base contribution of £150 per year, which includes your listing in the Bude Accommodation Guide and promotion across VisitBude platforms.

From there, the cost is adjusted according to the size of your property:

  • £20 per B&B room or self-catering unit
  • £2 per camping or touring pitch

To ensure excellent value for larger businesses, the total annual fee is capped at £350.

What does this mean in real terms?

  • A B&B with three bedrooms would pay £210 per year.
  • A single self-catering property would pay £170 per year.
  • A campsite with 30 pitches would pay £210 per year.

Even for larger accommodation providers, you’ll never pay more than £350 per year.

That represents year-round promotion, print exposure, digital visibility and direct visitor enquiries for between £170 and £350.

If you’d like to discuss how VisitBude can support your business, we’d be happy to talk through the options with you.

What does advertising on the VisitBude website give me?

Advertising on the VisitBude website gives your property a strong, professional online presence,  designed to convert visitors who are actively looking to book accommodation in Bude.

Your listing includes:

  • High-quality image gallery to showcase your property
  • A full property description highlighting your key selling points
  • An integrated Google Map location so guests can see exactly where you are
  • The ability to display guest reviews
  • A direct link to your own website
  • A direct link to your email for enquiries and direct bookings
  • Your phone number for enquiries and direct bookings
  • A live availability calendar with online booking functionality and iCal links to sync with your existing booking system

How do I promote special offers and last minute availability?

VisitBude provides members with the opportunity to promote seasonal offers, late availability and added-value packages directly to visitors who are actively looking to book.

To feature a special offer, we ask that you:

  • Provide clear details of the offer, including the booking window and stay dates.
  • State the full terms and conditions, including any exclusions.
  • Ensure the offer price is accurate and bookable.
  • Keep availability up to date for the promotional period.
  • Respond promptly to enquiries generated from the promotion.

Special offers may be promoted:

  • On the VisitBude website
  • Via our social media channels
  • Through visitor enquiries handled by the Tourist Information Centre

All offers must represent genuine value and reflect fair, transparent pricing.

Promoting special offers is a powerful way to drive off-peak occupancy, fill last-minute gaps and increase visibility, particularly when visitors are actively comparing accommodation options in Bude.

Inform us of your special offers and late availability here

What booking commission do I pay?

  • Direct bookings and referrals are completely commission free
  • Only 10% commission applies to bookings made directly through VisitBude

This means you benefit from strong online visibility, live booking capability and seamless calendar integration, while retaining control of your pricing and maximising your revenue from direct enquiries.

In short, it’s designed to increase your exposure, generate more bookings and support your business without the high commissions charged by major OTAs.

What booking system do you use at VisitBude?

We use Inn Style

Inn Style is an all-in-one accommodation management platform that combines:

  • A Property Management System (PMS) to handle bookings, calendars, rates and day-to-day operations.
  • An Integrated Booking Engine to take direct bookings on your own website and boost revenue.
  • A Channel Manager to synchronise availability and bookings across channels like Booking.com, Vrbo, Airbnb, Expedia and more via iCal links.

It’s designed for a wide range of accommodation types, from B&Bs, holiday lets and glamping sites to pubs & inns, cabins, camping sites and small hotels.

Pricing

If you subscribe to Inn Style independently, you’ll pay a subscription of around £240 per year (excluding VAT). But we cover your subscription as part of your VisitBude Membership Fee!

What is the Bude Accommodation Guide?

The Bude Accommodation Guide is booklet, designed and printed in-house by the Bude Tourist Information Centre.

It showcases VisitBude member accommodation properties and provides visitors with a clear, trusted directory of places to stay in and around Bude.

Because it is physically in visitors’ hands while they are making accommodation decisions, it remains a highly effective marketing tool.

Who is the guide aimed at?

Most copies are taken by visitors who are already in Bude and are actively looking for somewhere to stay, either during their current visit or for a future trip.

We also post the guide out to prospective visitors who request accommodation information before travelling.

What does a property listing include?

Each member property listing includes:

  • Two of your best images
  • A short descriptive text overview
  • A price guide
  • A selection of essential facilities
  • A QR code linking directly to the property’s page on the VisitBude website

The QR code allows visitors to access full details instantly, including live availability where applicable.

Is a listing included in membership?

Yes. A standard listing in the Bude Accommodation Guide is included within the VisitBude membership fee.

Can members place an advertisement as well?

Yes.  Some members choose to enhance their presence by placing an additional advert in the guide. This provides increased visibility and a stronger visual impact alongside their standard listing.

Advertising space is optional and available at an additional cost.

Submit your details for an entry in the accommodation guide here

What social media exposure will my property get?

VisitBude actively promotes Bude as a destination across its social media platforms, helping to drive awareness, engagement and visitor enquiries for member properties.

As a member, you may benefit from:

  • Property features and spotlight posts
  • Inclusion in seasonal campaigns (e.g. summer holidays, short breaks, Christmas stays)
  • Promotion of special offers and late availability
  • Tagging and sharing of your own relevant content (where appropriate) with @VisitBude
  • Exposure through wider destination marketing posts that inspire visitors to book

What we ask from you

To maximise social media exposure, we ask that you:

  • Provide us with the information
  • Share details of special offers, events or availability gaps in good time
  • Engage with VisitBude posts where appropriate (likes, shares, comments)
  • Tag @VisitBude and use #VisitBude

While individual post frequency cannot be guaranteed, active and engaged members are more likely to feature in campaigns and themed content.

Our goal is to showcase the very best of Bude — and your property — to an audience that is actively planning their next visit.

Do I need my own website?

No, you do not need your own website to promote your accommodation with VisitBude.

Your VisitBude listing provides a professional online presence with images, a full description, location map and booking enquiry options, ensuring visitors can easily find and contact you even if you don’t have a standalone website.

If you do have your own website, we will include a direct link to it, helping drive additional traffic and direct bookings. If you don’t, your VisitBude page can act as your primary online showcase.

You can also promote your unique VisitBude listing URL (for example: visitbude.info/accommodation/your-cottage) in your marketing materials. We can additionally provide you with a QR Code that links directly to your listing, making it easy for guests to access your information and book online.

What are our restrictions and expectations from members?

Membership with VisitBude is a professional, two-way relationship. We actively promote your business — and in return, we ask members to uphold standards that protect visitors, the destination and the VisitBude brand.

As a member, we ask that you:

  • Display the VisitBude membership logo on your website, including a reciprocal link back to the VisitBude website.
  • Operate a safe, clean and fully legal business, meeting all relevant regulatory requirements.
  • Pay commission promptly upon receipt of invoice for bookings generated via VisitBude.
  • Offer fair and transparent pricing and cancellation policies.
  • Respond to guest enquiries promptly and professionally.
  • Keep your availability calendar accurate and up to date (iCal links can be used to sync with your existing booking system).
  • Provide high-quality images and clear, accurate descriptions of your property — we are happy to assist with this where needed.
  • Tag @VisitBude and use #VisitBude on Social Media

These expectations ensure visitors can book with confidence and help maintain the strong reputation of both your business and Bude as a destination.

I’m ready to apply for membership to VisitBude, what do I do?

Simply complete this form!

2026 Accommodation Membership
Admin Address
Admin Address
Town
County
Postcode
Property Address (if different to admin address)
Property Address (if different to admin address)
Town
County
Post Code
Membership Fees
Total (exc. VAT)

Now, why not submit your information for the Bude Accommodation Guide, create your Inn Style Account, apply for The Bude Way Green Leaf and list your first special offer?