How to sell hotel on Booking.com, Expedia, HRS, and other OTAs
Traditionally, relationships between hospitality businesses and online travel agencies (OTAs) are perceived as a form of competition. Being the fastest-growing sales channel, hoteliers often think that these platforms put them on the losing end of the struggle for direct bookings.
In addition, hotel businesses remain concerned about a series of questions like how much it costs to list on Booking.com, Expedia, or HRS, how much they can earn and how to get paid from them, as well as whether OTAs are good or bad for hotels, etc.
We are sure that OTAs and hospitality businesses can coexist in harmony with each other enjoying profits and revenue climb. For example, OTAs like Booking.com or Agoda.com sell rooms on behalf of hotels and earn money by charging a commission on those sales, while hoteliers get relatively free marketing. According to European Hotel Distribution Study 2020, every second hotel uses rank booster tools offered by OTAs.
Source: www.statista.com
As of now, there are more than 400 OTA players across the world. Despite the coronavirus crisis, the Future of OTAs also seems optimistic. The sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.8% from 2021 and reach $902.2 billion in 2023. According to Statista.com, the OTA market size is worth $595.78bn. In Europe, the clear leader is Booking.com with a 67.7% market share.
In terms of travelers’ searches, Google Trends gives us a glimpse into what people prefer. The graph below shows that Expedia dominates.
Travelers’ search engine patterns
Source: Google Trends
It is clear that online travel agencies can bring a lot and contribute to the hotel’s success. But how to connect to OTAs like Booking.com or Expedia? Getting the hotel set up on these platforms is easy and happens in a standard format. Here the Channel Manager helps a lot: 66% of properties are using it to maintain rates and availability on the OTAs. Below, we will provide you with the basic steps on how to connect your hotel with any OTA through the HotelFriend Channel Manager.
How to connect to OTAs through the WuBook Channel Manager
Before synchronizing, make sure you have already configured the Channel Manager to link to the HotelFriend system and sent a request to synchronize with the channel. Also, prepare accesses for entering the Channel Manager.
How to connect to OTAs through the WuBook Channel Manager
- Go to the WuBook Channel Manager and then go to the Channel Manager section.
- In the Channels tab, click on the “+” button opposite the Available Channels.
- In the Filter search field, enter the name of the OTA system and click on the “+” button to add a channel.
- In the opening “Confirmation required” window, click on the “Yes, Activate” button.
- Click the channel link in the list of added channels on the left.
- In the opening window, enter the OTA ID and click on the “Confirm” button.
- You need to familiarize yourself with the information in the opening window and send a request for synchronization from the Extranet of the OTA system.
- As soon as the synchronization request is confirmed by OTA and the Channel Manager, click on the “Connect or Configure” button.
- Opposite the rooms from the OTA, match the rooms of the channel manager and save by clicking on the “Save Association” button
- Opposite the OTA rooms, match single occupancy and save.
- Map OTA Room Rates to rates, the Channel Manager restrictions, and save.
- Save all settings.
Important: If you do not know how to send a request for synchronization with the Channel Manager from the OTA system, contact the technical support and inform them of the decision to synchronize the Channel Manager with WoDoo from the WuBook system.
If necessary, it is possible to automatically import existing bookings into the Channel Manager and PMS system from some OTAs.
Online travel agencies are playing important roles in attracting potential guests and taking digital innovation forward. And obviously, they bring more good than bad into the landscape of your hotel’s online presence.
By striking the right balance, every hotel can benefit a lot from partnering with OTAs. In this respect, HotelFriend Channel Manager can help manage an unlimited number of online sales channels simultaneously in real-time, as well as easily integrate with other technologies in your hotel operations, including the hotel management, central reservation, or revenue management systems.
