A hotel reservation system works by processing secure online reservations made through a hotel’s website.

The data is then passed onto a backend system which can be accessed by hotels to manage bookings. Other features may come with it – for example, the automation of reservation confirmation emails.

Small hotel managers and owners recognize that technology is key to growing their business and increasing their bookings overtime.

To sell rooms to capacity and to appeal to a global audience, a hotel reservation system is required.

However, it can be intimidating to select a system, particularly when so many are designed for large hotel operations and chains.

What is a hotel reservation system?

A hotel reservation system is a software application that is implemented by hotels to allow guests to create secure online reservations. The hotel reservation system can be synced, not only with your current website, but also with Facebook. This allows guests to reserve rooms in a way that is convenient for them via social media.

In addition to allowing guests to book online directly, these reservation systems can also provide hotel operators with additional resources.

For example, a channel manager may be a part of the reservation system, giving hotel operators the chance to distribute their products and live availability simultaneously to their entire network of online agents.

Why do you need it?

A hotel reservation system is a necessity for today’s accommodation providers, both large and small.

An increasing number of travelers are relying solely on online reservations in order to book their accommodations, and without this capability, you will lose a significant amount of business.

Other reasons to consider investing in hotel reservation systems include:

• It gives you an advantage over your competitors. There are still many small hotels today that do not have online booking capabilities. Less people are staying at those locations, and you can get the competitive edge with an online booking system.

• It improves your efficiency as a business. You availability is updated immediately upon receiving a reservation, not only in your own system, but across all of your channels. You will save time on administrative tasks while also minimizing the risk of overbooking the rooms at your property.

• It gives you an advantage over your competitors. There are still many small hotels today that do not have online booking capabilities. Less people are staying at those locations, and you can get the competitive edge with an online booking system.

• It improves your efficiency as a business. You availability is updated immediately upon receiving a reservation, not only in your own system, but across all of your channels. You will save time on administrative tasks while also minimizing the risk of overbooking the rooms at your property.

To see one in action, watch our on-demand demo videos:

Or you can always download our buyer’s guide to selecting the best hotel booking engine for your business: