Why You Need Your Own Booking Engine
As a hotel owner, you may already receive bookings from OTA’s (online travel agencies) like Booking.com and Expedia. However, OTA’s take a cut of each reservation, which can be a substantial percentage of each sale. Quite often, properties offering budget accommodation cannot justify the fees paid to OTA’s and only rely on a contact form on their website.
If you already have a cloud-based PMS (property management system), it should include a booking engine. A server/desktop-based PMS will, most likely, have no option for online bookings. However, it does not mean that you cannot receive online bookings directly from your website. You have two options:
- Replace your existing server/desktop-based PMS with a cloud-based version that includes commission-free online booking. RezEasy PMS is one such system, and it is available either as a one-time payment or as a monthly subscription. In both cases, the software includes commission-free online bookings. Cloud-based business software offers many advantages over the traditional desktop system. Therefore, many hotels are switching To cloud-based PMS.
- Add a booking engine to your website. Adding RezEasy booking engine to an existing hotel website will provide commission-free online reservations. Optimized for all devices and customized to match your branding, thus ensuring the guest experience is completely seamless. Only $399 for a 50-room property – no commission and nothing more to pay.
PMS or Booking Engine?
Regardless of the type of facility, a hotel owner must have a PMS (property management system) that helps you manage day-to-day operations. Therefore, if you do not have a PMS, your priority must be to research available software. Reviewing software options, including online booking, is vital. Subscription-based systems may not be the best option for you. RezEasy PMS has subscription-based and one-time payment options.
If your property already has PMS software that does not include a booking engine, you have options to add online bookings. Including a booking engine like RezEasy that integrates directly into your website provides the guest with a seamless booking experience. Avoid software that is commission based because this will significantly reduce your per room revenue.
