Hotels have allowed the huge increase in 3rd party websites because they didnt fill the hole that was there. And they all think the same “lets stick to what we know, rooms”.

I have 7 years in the hotel and web development business, so when ever you like you can pick my brain.

Interesting points you make. The hotel industry is a real strange one. What surprises me is that some of the hotels don’t invest to dis-intermediate? Surely if they are handing over a large percentage of their bookings they could re-channel that into SEO for a higher return?

I might drop you a mail at some time in the future – I’m interested in a certain hotel niche for a pet project and wouldn’t mind an insiders views.

Thanks for the comment, best rgds
Richard

And a lot of the time those internet rates change based on the website that is asking for rates. For example we have 20 or so Dublin hotels they we have a great partnership with them and sometimes they will give us cheaper rates then they are quoting. When one local 3rd party website each year is putting millions of euro into you, you will go that extra mile out of fear of loosing that money.

Another problem with 3rd party websites is that the price they display isnt what will be charged always. For example there is one English company that shows the price less the credit card charges and booking fee. So it looks cheaper.

Many hotel bookings online arent booking, they are requests. Just because they gave you a booking ref number, doesnt mean you have a booking at the hotel. It is only an id for a record in a database and is waiting approval from the hotel.

Many hotels havent put money into their own websites because they are advised that there is no point. There is so may 3rd part websites out there they wouldnt even rank for there own name.

Now the latest is that hotels will go to the 3rd party sites and say make us a website and intergrate it into your system and we will host our online avail with you. $$$$$$ When that happens you have struck gold. 99% of the time you cant be undercut. Because you are selling at the same price as the hotel.

Over the next couple of years you will see the quaility of hotel websites and systems jump because of this. And you will see a larger increase in sales through there sites.

If you do find an affiliate offering cheaper prices on rooms and contact the hotel you could end up with a nice discount.

Although, I am talking about the Irish market here. As you probably know it is a very competitive market in Ireland.

Funny that. I know that the Thai hotels all charge more on their own sites than they do through booking sites or last-minute/distressed inventory sites. I presume that the prices on hotel sites are simply the ‘published price’ and there is always room for negotiation?

Jury’s Doyle presented at the SMW2007 conference. Interesting bits and bobs in terms of dis-intermediation and how much revenue they push through their online properties – 12% of gross group revenue goes through their websites. The girl didn’t heap praise on affiliates at all.

Rgds
Richard

Just an FYI – booking companies cannot undersell a hotel for rooms even though many people believe they do.

Need a room? Go directly to the hotel, even if their website is poor.