Insider: 9 Important Questions to Ask Your Online Reservation Technology Partner
By Brian Dass, President & Co-founder, Open Hospitality
Mr. Brian Dass
Independent hoteliers are aware how important managing online reservations are in relation to their revenue but pose a challenge to those who do not have an in-house online staff. There are many online reservation technology vendors who specialize in various aspects of managing online reservations but how does an independent hotelier know if they’ve engaged the right one. What follows are important questions independent hoteliers should ask when choosing an online reservation technology partner or evaluating the one they currently have.
Does your reservation technology integrate with all the other components of your online efforts? Find a partner that is able to show how much revenue is generated by marketing projects including which part of your site is the most profitable. Also, find a partner who integrates all components which will make it easier when determining your return on investment.
Will your ‘back office’ functions make your life easier? The right reservation technology partner understands your job and knows how your back office needs to function on a daily basis.
Is your system in multiple languages? Global travel is growing at rapid speed and independent hoteliers must have the ability to leverage that segment of customers. Therefore, your e-presence must be global. Make sure your technology partner provides quality, human language translation.
How does your team work with us? Your online provider’s support should be proactive and not just reactive. The best way your online reservation technology partner can demonstrate that is through customer support.
Are you willing to work on a performance model based fee and include your services in the cost? Chose someone who keeps a watchful eye out for your revenue and advises you, for free, on the best practices and ideas that are proven to increase bookings and average daily rate.
How involved is your company in industry organizations such as HEDNA, Open Travel Alliance (OTA), HTNG, and HSMAI? Active companies promote change and encourage standards and best practices while becoming thought leaders in the industry.
Are you partnered with other leading companies in the industry as well as known hotel groups in powering their booking engines and e-marketing? Make a genuine effort to find out how your online reservation technology partner is viewed in the industry.
What are you bragging about? Ultimately, you want to know how often they helped clients build online booking revenue, whether they can establish and demonstrate increased online reservation volume across a span of time and increased conversions clients have seen online since they began using their system.
How often do you provide transaction analysis? Good partners provide you with detailed transaction reports and will make sure you understand the data. A great partner provides reports plus regular transaction analysis to help you learn why bookings are down or up.
Read more in the Hotel Business Review in my article, “9 Important Questions to Ask Your Online Reservation Technology Partner”.
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Sincerely,
Brian Dass
President & Co-founder
Open Hospitality
212-989-2417
brian@openhospitality.com
