A hotel booking site, also known as an online travel agency (OTA), is a platform where travellers can book accommodations over the internet.
NB: This is an article from SiteMinder, one of our Expert Partners
These sites often provide comprehensive information about the hotel, including room availability, amenities, prices, location, and user reviews. The best hotel booking sites can list a large number of hotels from various regions, providing travellers with a wide array of options to choose from.
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They typically allow users to compare prices, facilities, and locations of multiple hotels at once, making it easier for them to find the option that best suits their needs.
For hotel managers, these sites provide a way to reach a wider audience and fill rooms that might otherwise remain unbooked. However, this usually comes with a commission fee for each booking made through their platform.
Why should medium- and large-sized hotels connect with the best hotel booking sites?
Medium and large-sized hotels can significantly benefit from partnering with the best hotel booking sites for several reasons:
- Global Exposure: Hotel booking sites have an international user base. This allows hotels to reach out to a global audience, extending their reach beyond local and national markets.
- Higher Occupancy Rates: By listing on these platforms, hotels can increase their visibility and attract more bookings, which can help to maintain higher occupancy rates.
- Trust and Credibility: Established booking sites have earned the trust of millions of travellers. Being listed on these platforms can enhance a hotel’s credibility and reputation.
- Ease of Booking: These platforms offer streamlined booking processes that make it easy for travellers to make reservations, potentially leading to higher conversion rates. New analysis has shown that traveller confidence has surged this year – but only hotels that enable straightforward booking processes will be able to capitalise.
- Reviews and Ratings: Guest reviews and ratings on these platforms provide valuable feedback for hotels to improve their services. Positive reviews can also boost a hotel’s reputation and attract more bookings.
- Marketing and Promotion: Many booking sites offer promotional opportunities and marketing tools that hotels can use to increase their visibility on the platform, such as sponsored listings or special deals.
- Analytics and Insights: Booking platforms often provide hotels with valuable data and insights about their performance and the market, which can be used to make informed business decisions.
However, you should also be mindful of the costs associated with these platforms, as they typically charge a commission on each booking. It’s important to balance the benefits of increased exposure and bookings with these costs to ensure a profitable strategy.
What are the best hotel booking sites?
Some of the top most commonly listed booking sites include:
- Booking.com
- Hotels.com
- Expedia
- Orbitz
- Travelocity
- Priceline
- Hotwire
- Kayak
- Agoda
- Google Hotels
Top tips for using the best sites for hotel booking effectively
There are many providers that could be considered among the best third party hotel booking sites, but not every site is the right choice for your business, and there is still work that must be done to make the most of the sites you choose to list with. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Research and compare
Before deciding on which sites to partner with, it’s crucial to research and compare different platforms. Consider factors such as their user base, commission rates, market focus (e.g., domestic vs. international), and the type of travellers they attract. It’s also important to assess the platforms’ features, such as their booking process, review system, and promotional opportunities. This will help you select the platforms that best align with your hotel’s needs and goals.
