Top features to look for in a hotel channel manager

We’re here to help you find a Channel Manager if you’re a decision-maker looking for one for your property.

While implementing an omni-channel strategy in your hotel can be challenging, it is essential. Similarly, selecting a Channel Manager to support all of your business operations is critical. A strong Channel Manager efficiently manages bookings, prices, and availability while also supporting your whole sales strategy.

Though selecting a Channel Manager for your property is critical, the sheer number of possibilities can make the process appear daunting.

We developed this post to delve deeper into this topic and assist you understand the types of features you should look for when selecting a Channel Manager.

Integrations Capabilities

Integration into your tech ecosystem

A Channel Manager should be able to communicate with the Property Management System directly. This enables reservations to be sent straight to the PMS or CRS. It enables the Revenue Management System convey real-time pricing and availability, which is an obvious must-have technology.

The ability to automate the sharing of information about new bookings across numerous sales channels and the hotel’s reservation system is enabled by such integration capabilities. Integration is a vital feature to examine in a Channel Manager because operational efficiency in this area can have a significant impact on both revenues and a hotel’s branding. A Channel Manager should also interface with the hotel’s Booking Engine to prevent overbookings.

A wide range of online distribution channels

A Channel Manager should be able to sell rooms through as many distribution channels as feasible, including OTAs, GDS systems, metasearch platforms, and more. It’s critical to properly inspect the associated channels before selecting your Channel Management software.

Here are the top three types of internet distribution channels to consider (along with more information on how they differ):

 

 

  • Travel Agencies on the Internet (OTA)

 

The finest Channel Managers give your hotel access to hundreds of channels, allowing you to contact customers all over the world. Niche or local distribution channels, as well as big industry players, are among them. A Channel Manager should not just be ‘local’ (connected with portals in its home country), but also cover worldwide platforms.

 

  • Systems of Global Distribution (GDS)

 

The Global Distribution System (GDS) is a global network that connects travel service suppliers and travel agents. GDS helps you to market your inventory all over the world, attracting business travellers. You’ll need a third-party GDS Connectivity Provider to connect to a GDS.

 

  • Metasearch Platforms

 

Metasearch engines like TripAdvisor, Google, and Kayak increase your hotel’s internet visibility. Integration with these websites may result in an increase in reservations from travellers looking for lodging on the internet.

 

 

Automated Portal Configuration

Travelers can now visit destinations that are far from their home country. As a result, hotels should think about how they might integrate their technology with OTAs in numerous markets.

While connectivity with numerous distribution channels is critical, a good Channel Manager also guarantees that these channels are managed intuitively.

The platform should be easy and intuitive, and it should be able to configure portals automatically. You won’t have to perform all the legwork while tying up with a new OTA this way!

Your Channel Manager must have a low error rate if you want to keep your sanity. The majority of errors happen when portal configurations are changed.

Real-time Dashboard

A Channel Manager should have an always-updated portal view, which means it should present data as it appears on OTAs in real time, rather than just how data is sent to the portal. This eliminates errors because users can observe what’s going on in real time and identify problems straight immediately.

Accurate Channel Manager reports can provide valuable data that can be utilised to develop marketing plans, set budgets, and account for booking volume. Every good Channel Manager must have a real-time dashboard.

Real-time, 2-way Connections with OTAs

Prices and availability should be updated as quickly as feasible by a Channel Manager. With pooled inventory, all channels will always present the maximum number of available rooms at the same time, avoiding double bookings.

To provide real-time inventory adjustments, a Channel Manager should interface with your PMS. The finest Channel Managers accomplish this by updating only the single inventory variations.

Accessible from Anywhere and By Anyone

A Channel Manager should be available on Cloud. It’s impossible to imagine a system that isn’t accessible on any device in this day and age.

Furthermore, the platform should be mobile-friendly, allowing hoteliers to have the same user experience whether they are using a smartphone or a laptop.

 

 

Not all Channel Managers are Equal

Channel Managers are without a doubt an important aspect of a hotel’s commercial operations. It’s possible to spread hotel inventory among numerous OTAs, offline travel agents, and tourist resources with the help of a good Channel Manager. This increases the hotel’s visibility and attracts more customers from all around the world.

However, not all Channel Managers are created equal, and to make an informed decision, you must examine specific features and functionalities.

You can effectively and efficiently handle reservations, availability, rates, guest data, text and photos from the website, and more with a trustworthy Channel Manager. It’s critical to pick a system that fits your budget, property size, and kind, as well as interacts with other hotel technology.

To know more about channel management contact info@vafion.com

 

 

 

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