Modern travellers expect convenience, transparency, and efficiency when making reservations, and properties that meet these expectations are more likely to secure direct bookings and thereby increase their revenue. To stay ahead in this universe, integrating key add-ons into your booking engine can make a significant difference. This article highlights four must-have add-ons – WatchMyRate, Get Google, Travel Agent & Corporate Travel (TACT), and URL Masking – that can increase your property’s booking capabilities and provide a smooth, trustworthy, and efficient booking experience for your ..read more

In the ever-evolving landscape of the hotel industry, finding the right pricing strategy can significantly impact your business’s success. One approach that has gained traction among savvy hotel owners and managers is dynamic pricing. But what exactly is dynamic pricing? Unlike static pricing models, which maintain fixed rates regardless of fluctuating demand. Dynamic pricing in the hotel industry refers to the practice of adjusting room rates based on various factors such as demand, occupancy levels, and market conditions in real-time. Dynamic pricing enables hotels to optimize revenue by se ..read more

When it comes to winning over travelers, it’s all about making your mark. Tapping into guest reviews and social media is a smart strategy that can set your property apart and drive direct bookings. This blog explores how accommodation providers can transform reviews into revenue by utilizing social media to drive direct bookings. Why Guest Reviews and Social Media Matter? Think of guest reviews and social media as your secret weapons. Reviews enhance credibility, and social media maximizes your exposure. Combined, they can significantly increase your direct bookings. Of course, direct booking ..read more

The Malaysian property was on the hunt for a powerful, yet simple, solution to make its booking channels easier. Enter STAAH. Established since 1950, The Corner Club has rooted itself as being one of the early pioneers of social recreational clubs in Penang. Nestled on Kelawai Road with views of Gurney Drive, most of Corner Club’s rooms have balconies offering views of Kelawai’s cityscape or the Straits of Malacca. Conveniently located, guests have easy access to attractions like Gurney Plaza Mall, Batu Ferringhi Beach, and hospitals like Gleneagles and Penang Adventist. Adopting the STAAH pl ..read more

In the world of hospitality, traditional approaches often operate within rigid, pre-defined time slots (Night stays, for example) where a room was either fully occupied for a night or it wasn’t. In contrast, the modern trend of day-use hotel rooms is a much-needed upgrade on the traditional approach to cater to the dynamic demands of the modern guest. AT&T started focusing on selling data more than selling minutes in the late 2000s, when asked about the strategy pivot the then head of AT&T, Stan Sigman, allegedly remarked –  ‘There is only a minute in a minute’. Similarly, ‘there ..read more

Looking for more user-friendly technology and better support, Africa’s CityBlue Hotels found STAAH. The rest is history. CityBlue is a borderless, branded group of business-centric hotels in Eastern and Southern Africa’s major cities, supported by a world-class digital infrastructure. As an African-born business which was founded in 2013 with immense passion, the ambition of this decade is to consolidate CityBlue as Africa’s fastest-growing local hotel chain. While focused on business clientele, CityBlue’s current hotels are also conference-and-leisure-friendly, located in three African port ..read more

Are you looking for new ways to attract more travellers and increase your bookings? Expedia Group package deals are all-in-one booking options that combine at least two of the three major travel products: flights, lodging and hire cars.  By bundling these elements into a single transaction, travellers can enjoy a seamless booking experience while taking advantage of exclusive discounts. Package deals attract valuable guests—the average Expedia Group package travellers are 3x more likely to come from international destinations, take 40% more trips and pay a 29% higher daily rate and stay ..read more

The global music tourism market is set to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% until 2032 to $13.8 billion, as per the latest research study. This is fueled by the meteoric rise in demand for live events post-pandemic, coupled with the increase in music festivals around the world. According to conservative estimates, Taylor Swift’s Eras tour alone added $208 million in hotel bookings revenue in the U.S. in 2023 giving a boost to the hotel industry on the back of direct bookings, online hotel booking engines, online travel agencies (OTAs), etc. Similarly, the global sports hospitality market is set to grow ..read more

Meet Subhransu, a seasoned professional with over 14 years of experience in the hospitality technology industry, who has continually evolved in various roles, each enriching his career journey. A Bit About Subhransu’s Career Journey: Subhransu began his professional journey as a Front Office Executive for a hotel chain. This foundational role provided him with firsthand experience in guest services and hotel operations. His career trajectory then led him into Corporate Marketing and Revenue Management within the hospitality sector, where he focused on developing and implementing strategies to ..read more

For a hotelier, direct bookings are one of the most lucrative channels as there is no commission to pay, higher chances of the guest completing the booking, stronger brand recall, and so on.  However, the thing that makes direct bookings lucrative is the hotel owner’s ability to be in touch with the expectations of the potential guests. Unfortunately, good insights aren’t available easily which makes the job of the hotelier rather difficult when it comes to growing direct bookings as a channel. In that light, here are 6 expectations that a potential guest would have when going through th ..read more