The Role of Booking Channels in Hotel Growth

Booking channels are awesome platforms for hotels.

They provide an opportunity to increase bookings at a hotel and do better financially while also developing a more positive relationship with customers.

For a long time, booking channels have changed the way people book hotel rooms.

They no longer only call the hotel or show up, they now have websites, apps, and voice assistants to help them discover and book hotels.

This major development has now resulted in changes to the hotel industry.

Now the opportunities for hotels and hosts to grow, and to stay relevant, is seriously driven by their available booking channels.

In this article, we will examine the types of channels available to hotels, and the ways they can be utilized to improve profitability.

Booking channels are the types of ways people book hotel rooms. There are two types of booking channels:

A. Direct Booking Channels

These are the ways people book your hotel without the aid of a third party.  

• Hotel Websites: Hotel websites are the most common way people book a hotel when they visit the official website.
• Mobile Apps: Some hotels have mobile apps that make it easy for guests to check pricings and book a hotel.
• Call Centers: Potential guests can call the hotel where they can ask questions and book a hotel room.

B. Indirect Booking Channels

These are websites or systems that help guests find hotels but are not run by the hotels themselves.

• Online Travel Agencies (OTAs): Websites like Booking.com and Expedia show many hotels in one place. Guests can compare prices and reviews.
• Global Distribution Systems (GDS): These systems are used by travel agents and businesses to book rooms.
• Meta Search Engines: Websites like Trivago or Google Hotels show prices from different booking sites so guests can choose the best deal.

Each channel has its own benefits. Hotels often use a mix of these to reach more guests.

Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) are very popular. They make it easy for people to find and book hotel rooms. Here’s how OTAs help hotels:

• More People See the Hotel: Millions of people use OTAs, so hotels can reach more customers.
• Easy to Compare: Guests can look at different hotels, read reviews, and compare prices.
• Extra Marketing: OTAs often promote hotels on their site, helping hotels get more bookings.

OTAs charge a fee, usually 15–20% of the booking price. Even though hotels pay this fee, the extra guests they get can help them make more money overall.

Even though OTAs are useful, direct bookings are also very valuable for hotels. Here’s why:

• More Profit: Hotels don’t have to pay a fee when guests book directly. They keep more of the money.
• Stronger Customer Bonds: Hotels can talk directly with guests, send emails, and offer rewards to keep them coming back.
• More Control: Hotels can create their own special deals and loyalty programs when guests book directly.

To get more direct bookings, hotels invest in good websites, apps, and ads. They may offer lower prices or extra perks to encourage guests to book directly.

As technology grows, new booking channels are becoming more popular. Here are a few new ones:

• Social Media: Hotels now use Instagram and Facebook to show pictures, share stories, and let guests book rooms through their pages.
• Influencers: Some hotels work with popular social media influencers. These influencers share their hotel experiences with their followers, which brings more attention to the hotel.
• Voice Assistants and AI: Devices like Alexa and Google Assistant can help people find and book hotels just by speaking. This makes booking even easier and faster.

These new tools help hotels reach younger and more tech-savvy travelers.

Using many different booking channels is a smart move for hotels. Here’s why:

• Reach More People: Some people like to use websites like Expedia, while others prefer to book directly on a hotel’s website or app. Some even use voice assistants. By being on all these channels, hotels can reach all kinds of guests.
• Stay Competitive: Hotels that use many booking methods can keep up with other hotels in the area.
• Earn More Money: With more guests coming from different channels, hotels can fill more rooms and make more money.

Booking channels are very important for hotel growth. Whether they are direct or through third-party websites, they help hotels get more guests and build their brand.

OTAs give hotels a big online presence. Direct bookings bring in more profit and build better guest relationships.

New technology, like social media and voice search, gives hotels even more ways to connect with travelers.

For hotels to grow and succeed, they must use all these booking channels wisely.

The more flexible and open they are to new ways of booking, the better chance they have to attract guests and stay successful in a fast-changing world.

Want to take your hotel booking channel strategy to the next level?

Let’s work together with QloApps to make it happen!

QloApps gives you the power to manage both types of booking channels from a single platform.

To manage both channels effectively:

✅ Use QloApps to handle your direct booking channels—like your website, call center, or mobile app. This helps you build stronger guest relationships and maximize your profits.

✅ Add the QloApps Channel Manager to simplify and sync your OTA booking channels, like Booking.com, Expedia, and more—giving your hotel more visibility and global reach.

💡Best of all? You can download and install QloApps on your system or server.Got questions or need assistance?
👉 Reach out to our QloApps Support Team—we’re here to support your book