Finding a Happy Balance: Direct Bookings vs. OTAs
Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and Booking.com can bring a significant proportion of revenue to a lodging business, but they also demand high commission fees. Do you love ’em or hate ’em? Ultimately, the relationship should be determined by the ROI generated from your OTA channels. While the commissions can sting, OTAs increase a […]
How Hotel Management Software Helps Attract New Guests
Cloud property management systems (PMS) streamline daily operations and customer service delivery, which results in satisfied guests and repeat business. Most lodging operators understand how the level of efficiency and personalization facilitated by modern hotel management software turns first-time guests into loyal customers—but it’s also important to know how a cloud PMS brings those first-timers […]
Are You Making the Most of Your OTA Profiles?
You probably have mixed feelings about Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and Booking.com. On the one hand, they bring in a significant number of bookings and offer beneficial exposure. On the other hand, they take a 15-30% cut of revenue. The truth is, despite the steep commissions, OTAs are a critical part of a […]
5 Ways to Increase Direct Bookings
Online travel agencies (OTAs) are here to stay. And that’s okay; when used well, they can be an extremely valuable marketing tool. But no matter how successful your partnerships with OTAs are, you should never neglect opportunities to boost direct bookings. With the lowest cost of acquisition (no hefty commissions required), these reservations are just too […]
Over, Under, and Double: A Hotelier’s Guide to Booking Crises
Managing reservations to maximize revenue can be a complicated task. Trying to minimize the damage of no-shows and cancellations can result in more reservations than available rooms—while playing it safe to avoid double-bookings can leave units unnecessarily vacant. Here’s a quick guide to dealing with and reducing booking crises. Overbooking Overbooking inventory is a strategy used by […]
4 Considerations for Choosing the Right OTAs
Online travel agencies (OTAs) have taken the hospitality industry by storm. What began as a platform for selling excess inventory when demand was low, has grown to dominate the entire booking landscape. Today, the majority of reservations worldwide are made via these online platforms, which makes OTAs an essential component of all lodging operators’ distribution […]
How a Booking Channel Interface Works with WebRezPro PMS
Lodging operators often ask us how and why WebRezPro Property Management System (PMS) integrates with online distribution channels. They are both great questions, and because they pop up so frequently, we thought it would be helpful to write a blog post about why a property should integrate their online distribution channels with their PMS, and […]
5 Ways to Turn OTA Lookers into Direct Bookers
There’s no denying that OTAs pack a powerful punch when it comes to online bookings. OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia have a potent arsenal of cutting-edge technology and massive marketing budgets behind their very successful distribution strategies; they boast online omnipresence with global consumer reach and seamless online bookings. While lodging operators understandably begrudge OTA […]
Online Hotel Bookings Continue to Rise: How to Get Your Due Share
According to data recently released by the TravelClick North American Distribution Review, online channels continue to lead hotel bookings. In the second quarter 2014, OTAs experienced the largest increase in bookings, up 12 percent over last year, followed by brand.com bookings with a 6.9 percent increase, and then the GDS channel with 2.9 percent. (Read […]
