How to Create a Modern Distribution Channel Strategy

To stay competitive and alive in hospitality industry, It is no longer a question whether to adapt a hotel management system technology or not. It’s a question of what hotel management system technology to adapt and how to start it quickly.

Hoteliers have infinite choices when it comes to distribution of there property, but with a limited resources and number of rooms available, you must be cautious in choosing a distribution channels and how efficiently implement with hotel management software to get the highest profits for your property, and overall success.

In this modern time and age many hotels receive more online bookings compared to offline travel agents. Meanwhile, with the evolution in digital technology have made online distribution channels more significant, as guests now expect to use their own smart device and book a room of their choice easily from any part of the world.

There is no globally accepted "right" distribution strategy, Instead hotels should come up with a proper and diversified distribution strategy. Finding the perfect cocktail of offline and online bookings is important for improving revenues.

Here are few top distribution channels that are important to hotels in their fight to stay competitive.

You’re Official Website

Getting a proper and responsive hotel website is one of the most obvious distribution channel which provides a cost effective way to market your brand value. Enhance your website with pleasing hotel visuals, be clear on what your hotel offers, show nearby attractions and promote events. Provide guests with a tranquil experiences to inspire them to book your property. Integrate your hotel’s website with a responsive direct booking engine, using a cloud based hotel management system can make it easy for hotel operators to showcase room availability, Pricing and special packages and booking options.

Use a Channel Manager

Distribution of you hotel inventory within travel industry is a complex task because of duplicate bookings, updating inventory and rates so on. The first step a hotel operator should take to enhance their sales process is getting hold of the top-notch hotel channel manager integrated with a hotel management software. A single dashboard will update all your room inventory and rates in every OTA channel on its own.

Use Global Distribution Systems (GDS)

Global distribution system is among one of the earliest systems primarily used by travel agents to book flight seats but now it has been modified for use in hotels, rental car inventory etc.

As a distribution channel, GDS is mainly utilized by corporate travel market because it provides one connection to flights, hotels and car rentals. Hotels can generate more revenues as GDS will create broad exposure of the hotel inventory and they help fill last-minute reservations.

Hotel operators can easily push, manage inventory and rates to GDS with help of a hotel management system. Sabre, Amadeus, Worldspan, Travelport and Galileo are few among major GDS Companies that integrate with most of the hotel management systems.

Be active on Social Media

With 3.8 Billion people on social media, it is considered as one of the best tools to brand and distribute their hotel inventory. Hotel operators should be active on social media and create an image of that hotel considers both positive and negative guest feedback seriously and ensure that all their reviews and questions have been responded carefully. Using a hotel management system with social media engagement every review can be tracked easily.

Metasearch ads

Metasearch engine is a non-replaceable marketing tools and plays a crucial role in hotel booking journey. A high-quality hotel metasearch platforms will fetch and process information from various sources and assess the needs of both hotels and a travellers to offer a guest unique and intuitive experience. Using a right Hospitality Property Management Software will help you connect with the prominent players in the field, and help you monitor your inventory distribution and rates will be a level higher.

Follow the above steps to create a diversified distribution channels and you will be able to sell more rooms in this highly competitive market. Want to see how mycloud all-in-one hotel management system helps you manage your hotel business easily? Speak to one of our experts today.

Mycloud offers a comprehensive hotel software for any size of property. The advanced features allow clients to manage their hotel operations efficiently and increases revenue.