Booking engine is a software platform that allows guests to book hotel rooms directly through a hotel’s website or other online channels. It’s a crucial tool for revenue managers as it enables them to manage pricing, inventory, and distribution effectively.
Here are some key aspects of booking engines:
- User Interface: A well-designed booking engine provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for guests to search for availability, select room types, and complete their bookings.
- Integration with Property Management System (PMS): Booking engines typically integrate with the hotel’s PMS, ensuring that room availability, rates, and reservations are synchronized across all channels.
- Rate Management: Revenue managers use booking engines to set and manage room rates, including implementing dynamic pricing strategies and offering different rate plans.
- Distribution Management: Booking engines can be connected to various online travel agencies (OTAs) and global distribution systems (GDSs), allowing hotels to distribute their inventory to a wider audience.
revenue management activities related to booking engines
- Rate Parity Management: Revenue managers must ensure rate parity across all distribution channels, including the hotel’s direct booking engine. This means that guests should be able to find the same rates on the hotel’s website as they do on OTAs.
- Channel Management: Revenue managers use booking engines to manage their distribution channels effectively. This includes monitoring channel performance, adjusting inventory allocation, and optimizing commission rates.
By effectively managing their booking engines, revenue managers can increase direct bookings, improve revenue performance, and enhance the overall guest experience.