When selecting a hotel channel management tool, it needs to be a product that is able to add functionalities that will maximize operations, maximize revenue, and make your hotel's distribution simple.
- Real-Time Syncing
Why it is needed: To have real-time syncing is imperative so that whenever there is an update in rate, availability, or booking on one of the channels (such as Booking.com or Airbnb), it is synchronized across all the other connected platforms in real time.
Benefit: Stops overbookings and updates on all OTAs and reservation channels appropriately.
- Rate and Inventory Management
Why it matters: Most critical is having the ability to manage rates and inventory in channels from one platform. That level of control lets you modify rates on demand, by competition prices, or by promotions.
Value: Sustains rate parity across everywhere and optimizes revenue by having price modifications in real time.
- Channel Integrations
Why it matters: A good channel manager must be able to integrate with all the major OTAs (Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb, etc.), your property management system (PMS), and other major platforms such as GDS, metasearch websites, and direct booking websites.
Benefit: Integrates your hotel automatically into several distribution channels and updates from time to time without manual intervention.
- Automated Reservations and Availability Updates
Why it matters: Automated availability update and booking confirmation reduce opportunities for human error and save time.
Benefit: Prevents double bookings and overbookings, so your hotel is only selling available rooms.
- Customizable Pricing Rules and Promotions
Why it matters: Dynamic channel management with a channel manager allows you to create rules based on prices according to demand, season, or event and provide discounts like early bird or last-minute specials.
Benefit: Allows you to price-optimize for maximum revenue and respond to movement in the market.
- Reporting and Analytics
Why it matters: You have insight into the performance of your hotel on each channel with a robust reporting system. You can monitor booking trends, occupancy, RevPAR, and performance by each OTA.
Benefit: Empowers you to make informed decisions on pricing, distribution, and marketing.
- User-Friendly Interface
Why it matters: The software must be easy to use and have a very minimalist dashboard from where the user should be able to update and control bookings easily.
Benefit: Ensures that the hotel staff is in a position to use the software easily without extensive training, ensuring smooth and efficient operation.
- Automated Confirmation and Invoicing
Why it matters: Automated confirmation and invoicing save time and do not leave space for miscommunication with the guests.
Benefit: Increases guest satisfaction through providing them with instant, accurate confirmation and invoice data.
- Multi-Property Management
Why it is important: If you operate more than one property, the channel manager should be able to do multi-property management in order to have the ability to manage multiple properties from one account.
Benefit: Simplifies managing a hotel chain or multiple properties so that each property can be monitored and managed more effectively.
- Real-Time Room Availability on All Distribution Channels
Why it is important: Channel manager requires the room availability on every channel to be in real-time so that room double booking is avoided, especially in peak seasons or events.
Advantage: Avoids hotel from ever booking a room that has already been booked on some other channel.
- Mobile Access
Why it matters: Managers can update, see reports, and check bookings even when they are in remote areas of the front desk or office due to mobile access to the channel manager.
Benefit: Ensures that management is more responsive and flexible so that they're always in charge wherever.
- Customizable Alerts and Notifications
Why it matters: Automated low availability, cancellation, or confirmation alerts can notify hotel staff of changes without constantly monitoring the system.
Benefit: Supports on-time cancellation or urgency-based reservation-related issues, leading to increased productivity and guest satisfaction.
- Payment Gateway Integration
Why it matters: Payment gateway integration allows you to accept safe payments from multiple online sources and OTAs.
Benefit: Automates the payment process, avoids errors that occur with manual entry, and offers easy tracking of financial transactions.
- Support for Multiple Room Types and Rates
Why it matters: A channel manager should be able to manage various room types, rates, and packages that can be negotiable by channel or by guest segments (e.g., reduced rates for advance booking or special packages).
Benefit: Puts your property in a position to provide customized pricing and room availability according to individual guests' needs.
- Customer Support and Service
Why it matters: Customer support access, whether trouble shooting or general inquiries, is needed to maintain the operation of the channel manager software.
Benefit: Provides assurance of having trained support personnel to provide speedy feedback to correct any trouble or questions.
- Security Features and Data Protection
Why it matters: Hotels handle sensitive guest information, and the channel manager software should be GDPR compliant and employ secure encryption practices for transactions and data storage.
Benefit: Protects the integrity of guest information and the hotel's compliance with privacy legislation, reducing the risk of data breaches.