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EnglishWhat is a hotel booking channel?
A hotel booking channel, also known as a distribution channel or OTA (Online Travel Agency), is a platform through which hotels can sell rooms to potential guests. Booking channels are most effective when paired with a Channel Manager that integrates with your Front Desk Property Management System (PMS).
A Channel Manager automatically updates your inventory in real-time across all connected channels, meaning you only need to update your rates or availability once in Little Hotelier, and we’ll instantly synchronise those changes across all your channels. This allows you to expand your reach without extra administrative effort.
Connecting to more channels—especially niche, local platforms that target your ideal guest—is the best way to grow your bookings.
Here are some of the booking channels Little Hotelier connects you to:
Frequently asked questions about hotel booking channels
How do online booking channels work and how can hotels benefit from them?
Online hotel booking channels are digital platforms—such as Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb—that allow travellers to search, compare, and book hotel rooms. These platforms help properties reach a larger audience and increase reservations. Here’s how they work:
- Hotel listing setup: Create a profile on the booking platform with location, room types, amenities, photos, pricing, and availability.
- Guest search and discovery: When travellers search for accommodations, the platform displays relevant listings based on filters like location, dates, and price range.
- Reservation process: Guests select a property, enter personal and payment details, and complete the booking. Properties are notified and typically have 24–48 hours to confirm.
- Confirmation and commission: Once confirmed, guests receive a confirmation email with stay details. The booking platform charges a commission—typically a percentage of the total booking price.
Using these channels can increase your visibility and bookings. However, consider commission fees and ensure your listing is accurate and current to maintain guest satisfaction. Little Hotelier’s channel manager helps small properties manage multiple booking channels efficiently from one platform.
Which is the best online booking platform for hotels to use?
The best online booking platform for your property depends on several factors, including your location, target audience, accommodation type, and business goals. Some platforms are more popular in specific regions or cater better to particular property types, such as holiday rentals or boutique hotels.
When selecting a booking platform, consider:
- Commission rates: Lower commission may reduce costs but may come with fewer features
- Marketing and promotional tools: Some platforms offer better visibility, advertising support, or loyalty programmes
- Cancellation and booking policies: Flexible terms can attract more bookings but may affect revenue predictability
Examples include Booking.com for broad reach, Expedia for package deals, and Airbnb for short-term rentals. Evaluate each platform to determine which best supports your pricing strategy, marketing needs, and growth. Little Hotelier connects to 450+ booking channels, giving small properties access to the platforms that work best for them.
What are the advantages of using a hotel booking channel?
Using online hotel booking channels offers several key benefits for small accommodation providers:
- Increased visibility: Booking channels help you reach a larger audience of potential guests, especially those who rely on platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb to plan their travel. Without a listing, your property may be overlooked.
- Efficient booking management: These platforms allow you to update room availability, pricing, and policies in real time, reducing the risk of overbooking and streamlining your reservation process without needing extra staff.
- Time-saving automation: Guest details are recorded automatically when a booking is made, saving you time on manual entry and allowing you to focus on operations and guest experience.
- Competitive advantage: Booking channels give smaller properties access to promotional tools and marketing reach comparable to large hotel chains, helping you stay competitive.
- Valuable performance insights: Most booking platforms provide analytics that track key metrics like occupancy, revenue, and booking trends—helping you make data-driven decisions.
Managing multiple booking channels can be complex. Little Hotelier’s channel manager simplifies operations by syncing availability and rates across all your connected channels from one centralised platform, helping you maximise occupancy while avoiding overbookings.
Online hotel booking channels are digital platforms—such as Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb—that allow travellers to search, compare, and book hotel rooms. These platforms help properties reach a larger audience and increase reservations. Here’s how they work:
- Hotel listing setup: Create a profile on the booking platform with location, room types, amenities, photos, pricing, and availability.
- Guest search and discovery: When travellers search for accommodations, the platform displays relevant listings based on filters like location, dates, and price range.
- Reservation process: Guests select a property, enter personal and payment details, and complete the booking. Properties are notified and typically have 24–48 hours to confirm.
- Confirmation and commission: Once confirmed, guests receive a confirmation email with stay details. The booking platform charges a commission—typically a percentage of the total booking price.
Using these channels can increase your visibility and bookings. However, consider commission fees and ensure your listing is accurate and current to maintain guest satisfaction. Little Hotelier’s channel manager helps small properties manage multiple booking channels efficiently from one platform.
The best online booking platform for your property depends on several factors, including your location, target audience, accommodation type, and business goals. Some platforms are more popular in specific regions or cater better to particular property types, such as holiday rentals or boutique hotels.
When selecting a booking platform, consider:
- Commission rates: Lower commission may reduce costs but may come with fewer features
- Marketing and promotional tools: Some platforms offer better visibility, advertising support, or loyalty programmes
- Cancellation and booking policies: Flexible terms can attract more bookings but may affect revenue predictability
Examples include Booking.com for broad reach, Expedia for package deals, and Airbnb for short-term rentals. Evaluate each platform to determine which best supports your pricing strategy, marketing needs, and growth. Little Hotelier connects to 450+ booking channels, giving small properties access to the platforms that work best for them.
Using online hotel booking channels offers several key benefits for small accommodation providers:
- Increased visibility: Booking channels help you reach a larger audience of potential guests, especially those who rely on platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb to plan their travel. Without a listing, your property may be overlooked.
- Efficient booking management: These platforms allow you to update room availability, pricing, and policies in real time, reducing the risk of overbooking and streamlining your reservation process without needing extra staff.
- Time-saving automation: Guest details are recorded automatically when a booking is made, saving you time on manual entry and allowing you to focus on operations and guest experience.
- Competitive advantage: Booking channels give smaller properties access to promotional tools and marketing reach comparable to large hotel chains, helping you stay competitive.
- Valuable performance insights: Most booking platforms provide analytics that track key metrics like occupancy, revenue, and booking trends—helping you make data-driven decisions.
Managing multiple booking channels can be complex. Little Hotelier’s channel manager simplifies operations by syncing availability and rates across all your connected channels from one centralised platform, helping you maximise occupancy while avoiding overbookings.