{"id":318,"date":"2024-02-15T15:00:34","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T14:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/revfine.com\/?p=318"},"modified":"2024-06-04T21:54:57","modified_gmt":"2024-06-04T19:54:57","slug":"importantes-canais-de-distribuicao-online-hoteis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.revfine.com\/pt\/important-online-distribution-channels-hotels\/","title":{"rendered":"Os canais de distribui\u00e7\u00e3o online mais importantes para hot\u00e9is"},"content":{"rendered":"

The distribution channels that hotels use and invest in can have a significant bearing on their revenue management strategy<\/a>, and their overall success. These days, many hotels receive more internet bookings than offline travel agents. Meanwhile, more recent advances in smartphone technology have made online distribution channels more important than ever, as consumers now expect to book a hotel room easily, from anywhere in the world, at the touch of a few buttons. So, what are the most important online distributions for hotels?<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Your Hotel’s Own Website<\/h2>\n

The most obvious online distribution channel for your hotel is your website, and this is also one of the most cost-effective marketing tools your business will have at its disposal. After all, once initial development fees have been paid, the cost of maintaining the website and hosting it is relatively small.<\/p>\n

Your website provides an ideal platform to convey your brand values and deliver a marketing message that appeals to your target audience. At the same time, websites offer an excellent way to increase your hotel’s overall visibility, especially when SEO is carried out effectively, and fresh content is added regularly.<\/p>\n

Of course, a hotel’s website is the only online distribution channel where they can generate direct sales without paying a commission to a third party. For this reason, it pays to try to generate as many bookings through your website as possible, which is why many hotels offer incentives for direct bookings.<\/p>\n

Today, many people rely almost entirely on mobile and tablet devices to browse the internet. According to the Search & Website Traffic Report<\/a> by Statista, 54% of global website traffic now comes from mobile devices. Therefore, hotel websites must be mobile-optimized.<\/p>\n

The article “Tips To Gain More Bookings With Your Hotel Website”<\/span><\/a> provides more tips about creating a perfect hotel website.<\/p>\n

2. Online Travel Agents (OTAs)<\/h2>\n

Another important online distribution channel for your revenue management strategy<\/a> is online travel agents (OTAs). Some of the most famous OTAs include Booking.com, Expedia, Orbitz.com, Hotels.com, and Priceline.com. Although this is usually the most costly distribution channel for hotels, there are numerous benefits.<\/p>\n

The primary benefit for your business is the extra exposure that OTAs generate. This allows your hotel to attract guests who might not have found you through other channels. For example, according to the Most Popular Travel & Tourism Websites Worldwide Report<\/a> by Statista, Booking.com had around 565 million visits in January of 2024. OTAs are also the most popular distribution channel for mobile users.<\/p>\n

Depending on whether you are a hotel chain or an independent hotel and the location of your property, a commission system of between 15 and 25 percent will usually be in place. Therefore, online travel agents may be the distribution that produces the least revenue per room. Nevertheless, the incremental business can make it worthwhile, and with the right incentives, customers can be encouraged to book directly in the future.<\/p>\n

To get the most out of OTAs, it is important to keep the information you provide them with up-to-date and ensure you also give them accurate room descriptions and high-quality photographs. Moreover, you should aim to respond to customer reviews as quickly as possible to limit the impact of any negative feedback.<\/p>\n

\"Important<\/p>\n

3. Global Distribution Systems (GDS)<\/h2>\n

Finally, a global distribution system, or GDS system<\/a>, is a network primarily used by travel agents to book airline seats, hotel rooms, and car rentals for their clients and customers. These services are usually consolidated through a GDS, making the booking process far easier. The main GDS systems are Amadeus<\/a>, Travelport<\/a>, and Sabre<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In most cases, a GDS will cater to a global market of travel consortia (e.g., American Express, BCD, Carlson Wagonlit, and ABC). This particular distribution channel remains important for hotels and can allow you to foster positive relationships with travel agents, resulting in greater commercial demand for your hotel rooms.<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, a global distribution system requires a small initial setup fee, followed by transaction fees for each booking. For hotels, the trick is to balance room rates so that they are low enough to maintain positive relationships with travel agents and generate custom but high enough to offset the fees.<\/p>\n

The primary benefit of a GDS is the opportunity to attract demand from all over the world. Once again, the key to success with this distribution channel is keeping information up-to-date so that rates remain competitive.<\/p>\n

With internet bookings overtaking many other types and the ever-increasing popularity of smartphones, online distribution channels are now more important than ever. For hotel owners, there are three main channels to be aware of \u2013 hotel websites, online travel agents, and global distribution systems. Each of these channels has its plus points and drawbacks. While most hotels should carefully consider all three as part of their revenue management strategy, it is usually best to encourage as many direct bookings as possible. You can read more detailed information about global distribution systems and the benefits for hotels in the article \u201cGlobal Distribution System (GDS): What Are the Benefits for Hotels?\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

4. Metasearch for Hotels<\/h2>\n
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Metasearch engines compile and compare hotel, flight, and car rental data from multiple sources, helping users find the best deals by showcasing options, prices, and amenities in one place. For hotels, visibility on these platforms is key to attracting potential guests and driving bookings. The table below explores how to effectively utilize metasearch engines for hotel bookings, highlighting their key functionalities and providing strategies to enhance hotel visibility and attract more guests.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Metasearch Engine<\/strong><\/th>\nFunctionality<\/strong><\/th>\nTips for Maximizing Visibility and Bookings<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Google Hotel Ads<\/strong><\/td>\nDisplays hotel prices and availability directly in Google search and Maps results.<\/td>\nOptimize your Google My Business listing; use competitive pricing and high-quality images.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trivago<\/strong><\/td>\nAggregates rates from various booking sites to help users find the best deal.<\/td>\nEnsure rate parity across channels; actively manage your hotel profile on the platform.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TripAdvisor<\/strong><\/td>\nBesides reviews, it allows users to compare prices and book hotels directly.<\/td>\nEncourage guest reviews; respond actively to feedback; utilize TripAdvisor\u2019s promotional tools.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Skyscanner<\/strong><\/td>\nOffers a comprehensive search across hotels, flights, and car rentals, focusing on the best deals.<\/td>\nUse dynamic pricing strategies; maintain updated and accurate hotel information.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kayak<\/strong><\/td>\nCompares prices across different travel sites and includes filters for users to narrow down options.<\/td>\nParticipate in Kayak\u2019s marketing programs; use keyword-rich descriptions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HotelsCombined<\/strong><\/td>\nA price comparison service that searches other travel sites to compare hotel rates.<\/td>\nMonitor your competitive set; offer exclusive deals to stand out on the platform.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

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Video: Essential Hotel Distribution Strategy<\/h2>\n