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What’s New in Hotel Online Distribution and Tech Trends? W1, October 2024

Here is your weekly industry news round-up. Check out the short snippets here and follow below for more details. 

  • Rotana reveals bold expansion plans at FHS 2024  
  • Extended Stay America Premier Suites – Pueblo opens 
  • Brian Applegarth joins Travel Marketing Network 
  • Leadership changes announced at Alexandra Resort 
  • Taj restaurants in Chennai earn Traveller’s Choice awards 

Reach out to us for discussions regarding connectivity, direct booking, rate intelligence, and website design requirements – we are happy to explore new possibilities with you for your property – contact us today. 

Enjoy the read! 

Newshound w1, October 2024

Rotana highlights expansion and trends at FHS 2024 

Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye (MENAT), announced its ambitious expansion plans for the region and beyond at the Future Hospitality Summit World (FHS) today. Driving Rotana’s aggressive pipeline is the development of 43 new properties in 26 cities in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Türkiye by 2026. Once complete, the new properties will add 9,049 rooms to Rotana’s inventory, taking its total keys to 30,225. 

https://shorturl.at/BUdJ8

Extended Stay America Premier Suites – Pueblo opens 

Extended Stay America announced the opening of the 45th Extended Stay America Premier Suites located in Pueblo, Colorado. Developed by BEP Pueblo Hospitality LLC, constructed by Integrated Hospitality Construction LLC, and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, this new property will add to the extended-stay experience in the region. Situated off I-25, the Extended Stay America Premier Suites – Pueblo offers access to business centers and attractions. 

https://shorturl.at/lGUiW

Cannabis travel pioneer joins Travel Marketing Network 

Tourism Boards, Hotels, and Tour operators are turning to TravelMarketingNetwork for PR and Marketing inspiration, representation, and outreach with the expectation of developing their business or destinations beyond press releases, road shows, and what is considered routine. Cannabis tourism development is the latest addition for this NY-based PR and Marketing agency network. TravelMarketing Network members have full access to the TravelNewsGroup database and outreach options, including eTurboNews. 

https://shorturl.at/f6mhw

Alexandra Resort nears completion of colossal renovations 

Alexandra Resort, a premier all-inclusive destination on the world-renowned Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos, has announced the appointment of three key leaders to its team. Aleisa Musgrove-Walkin has been named General Manager, Hermian Griffith has joined as Assistant General Manager, and Sovan Das has taken on the role of Executive Chef. These leadership changes coincide with a significant renovation project, including upgrades to guest rooms, the lobby, the Sand Piper Kids Club, and the Elevate Spa. 

https://shorturl.at/nyjb6

Taj restaurants in Chennai awarded by Tripadvisor 

Six restaurants across Taj hotels in Chennai have been awarded the prestigious Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards for Restaurants 2024, recognising their commitment to delivering unique dining experiences.  The restaurants are Southern Spice, Golden Dragon, Anise, and Chipstead at Taj Coromandel, Chennai, and Raintree and The Verandah at Taj Connemara, Chennai. Taj Coromandel, an iconic landmark in the heart of Chennai, celebrates five decades of unparalleled hospitality and timeless sophistication. 

https://shorturl.at/NIvjN

That’s all folks!

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What’s New in Hotel Online Distribution and Tech Trends? W3, May 2024

Here is your weekly industry news round-up. Check out the short snippets here and follow below for more details. 

  • Summer vacations are a top priority for travelers 
  • Technavio forecasts boom in hospitality robots 
  • ATM 2024 breaks record with 46,000+ attendees 
  • Park Hotels announces tender offer results 
  • Barceló invests $400M in global expansion 

Reach out to us for discussions regarding connectivity, direct booking, rate intelligence, and website design requirements – we are happy to explore new possibilities with you for your property – contact us today. 

Newshound W3 May, 2024

Tripadvisor: Travelers are placing high priority on summer vacations 

According to the annual Summer Travel Index released by Tripadvisor, travelers worldwide continue to prioritize summer vacations. Ninety-five per cent of respondents are planning to travel as much (51 percent) or more (44 percent) than last summer, despite some concern about economic headwinds. Over a quarter (26 percent) of U.S. travelers are planning to spend $5,000 or more on their getaways. 

https://shorturl.at/MD6w6

Hospitality robots market to grow by $471.77M by 2028 

Hospitality robots redefine service with efficiency. Technavio forecasts a USD 471.77 million expansion by 2028, boasting a 14.19% CAGR. According to Technavio, the global market for hospitality robots is projected to expand by USD 471.77 million between 2024 and 2028. This market is anticipated to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.19% throughout the forecast period. 

https://shorturl.at/jPFYK

ATM 2024 sees a record 46,000+ attendees 

More than 46,000 industry professionals from over 160 countries – including 33,500 visitors – attended the 31st edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which concluded last week in Dubai, UAE. Organisers of the event have revealed this figure is a 15% year-on-year increase in attendees compared to its 30th edition last year. This number sets a new record for the show, in which the team illustrates the “strength, resilience and momentum” of the global travel and tourism sector. 

https://shorturl.at/0YK5L

Park Hotels reports tender offer outcomes 

Park Hotels & Resorts announced today the expiration and final results of the previously announced cash tender offer initiated by its subsidiaries: Park Intermediate Holdings LLC, PK Domestic Property LLC, and PK Finance Co-Issuer Inc. (collectively, the “Issuers”). The Tender Offer was for any and all of their outstanding 7.500% Senior Notes due 2025. It expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 13, 2024 (the “Expiration Time”). 

https://shorturl.at/Vqgxn

Barceló Hotel Group’s $400M expansion plan 

Barceló Hotel Group, the leading Spanish hospitality management company, reveals its 2024 global expansion strategy with a robust pipeline of new property openings in new and existing key source markets, totalling an investment of over $400 million. In 2024, Barceló Hotel Group will extend its presence in the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye (MEAT) region, with a slated line-up of property openings annually. 

https://shorturl.at/KD10Q

That’s all folks!  

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What’s New in Hotel Online Distribution and Tech Trends? W2, May 2024

Here is your weekly industry news round-up. Check out the short snippets here and follow below for more details. 

  • Booking.com: Family travel expected to increase in summer  
  • Wyndham’s milestone growth across EMEA, 2023 
  • World Travel Awards reveals Middle East 2024 winners 
  • ATM 2024: Prioritizing guest experience in luxury hotels 
  • The Oberoi Group’s South Mumbai residential suites debut 

Reach out to us for discussions regarding connectivity, direct booking, rate intelligence, and website design requirements – we are happy to explore new possibilities with you for your property – contact us today. 

Enjoy the read! 

Newshound W2 May 2024

Booking.com: Summer surge in family getaways 

Booking.com reports that family searches for accommodations for the summer travel season are already seeing an 8 percent increase compared to last year, while flight searches globally are seeing an increase of 21 percent. These figures underscore an interest in travel this summer as families look to make the most of the warmer months ahead. 

https://shorturl.at/vyLOY

Wyndham’s EMEA expansion milestone, 2023 

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with 25 brands and approximately 9,200 hotels, continues to make impressive gains across Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia and Africa, unveiling today full-year results for the region for 2023. Among the highlights: the Company introduced 9 brands into new countries, signed 107 franchise agreements, opened 87 hotels, and added 9,500 rooms. 

https://shorturl.at/iEQZ7

World Travel Awards reveals Middle East 2024 winners 

World Travel Awards—the leading authority that recognises and rewards excellence in travel and tourism—has revealed its Middle East 2024 winners. The announcement coincides with the start of the Arabian Travel Market, the region’s leading industry event. Notable winners included Saadiyat Island, named ‘Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination’, and Abu Dhabi, voted ‘Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Destination’.  

https://shorturl.at/ELMRS

ATM 2024: Focus on personalization in luxury hospitality 

This week, industry professionals explored ways to stand out in the Middle East’s oversaturated luxury travel segment at Arabian Travel Market 2024. Panellists at the exhibition’s luxury summit said authenticity, personalisation, and guest experience were among the key considerations for brands looking to distinguish themselves from the competition. 

https://shorturl.at/ivJ78

The Oberoi Group’s South Mumbai residential suites debut 

Situated at the prestigious Nariman Point on Marine Drive with breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and the shimmering lights of Queen’s Necklace, The Oberoi Mumbai has long been regarded as one of the city’s finest luxury hotels. Following the recent introduction of The Oberoi Residential Suites, guests can experience unparalleled residential living for extended stays like never before. 

https://shorturl.at/aozEG

That’s all folks! 

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What’s New in Hotel Online Distribution and Tech Trends? W3, April 2024

Here is your weekly industry news round-up. Check out the short snippets here and follow below for more details. 

  • The state of loyalty for travel and lifestyle credit cards in 2024 
  • Springboard Hospitality teams up with Procure Impact 
  • The impact of cultural events on travel marketing revenue 
  • Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort reveals $35M upgrade 
  • Leisure Hotels & Nature’s Heaven’s Kasauli Resort collaboration 

Reach out to us for discussions regarding connectivity, direct booking, rate intelligence, and website design requirements – we are happy to explore new possibilities with you for your property – contact us today. 

Enjoy the read! 

Newshound w3, April 2024

The state of loyalty for travel and lifestyle credit cards in 2024 

Credit card loyalty programs have become one of the most popular ways to access travel rewards and perks. According to Skift Research, roughly a third of U.S. Gen Z and millennial travelers book airline and hotel reservations through credit card platforms, while only a quarter use online travel agencies (OTAs). The report explores how providing consumers with choices creates a sense of abundance and provides more opportunities to match their desires and aspirations. 

https://shorturl.at/qtNPV

Procure Impact and Springboard Hospitality partner up 

Springboard Hospitality announced its collaboration with Procure Impact. By sourcing products from social enterprises, Springboard Hospitality will add new products—ranging from in-room coffee and snacks to wellness products like candles and bath salts—and demonstrate its commitment to driving social impact by supporting vulnerable communities through its pledge of 5,000 hours of work. 

https://shorturl.at/gkAFZ

The impact of cultural events on travel marketing revenue 

Travel marketers know that popular cultural events like the Eras Tour, the Super Bowl, Wimbledon, and Formula 1 racing can significantly boost revenue — but how can they ensure they’re maximizing the potential of these events to increase visibility and capture demand? Expedia Group’s TravelAds and Flight Sponsored Listings are strategically designed for performance marketing, capturing travelers’ attention precisely when deciding to book rather than merely for brand awareness. 

https://shorturl.at/bAEJ6

Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort’s major $35M renovation 

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, situated on the pristine emerald coast of Northwest Florida, proudly unveils its $35 million renovation completion. This exciting announcement coincides with Hilton Inc. being honoured as Fortune’s #1 ‘Best Company to Work for in 2024’. Presenting guests with a delightful retreat, Hilton Sandestin Beach’s renovation commenced with its guest rooms and suites, providing a contemporary beachfront haven for visitors. 

https://shorturl.at/flwIV

Leisure Hotels & Nature’s Heaven’s Kasauli Resort collaboration 

The resort will house 30+ aesthetically designed rooms and furnished cottages in sprawling four acres in the serene Solan district. As part of its expansion strategy, the group plans to create a mixed-use project, such as privately owned furnished apartments with a luxury resort, promising breathtaking views of the Kasauli Hills and lush valleys. Scheduled to welcome guests in early 2026, this resort promises an unforgettable retreat amidst the serene beauty of Kasauli Hills. 

https://shorturl.at/ELSU7

That’s all folks!

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What’s New in Hotel Online Distribution and Tech Trends? W1, March 2024

Here is your weekly industry news round-up. Check out the short snippets here and follow below for more details. 

  • Oman to kick off ITB Berlin 2024 with a spectacular show 
  • Accor chooses IDeaS for global revenue management 
  • Banyan Tree Dubai’s exclusive Eid staycation offer 
  • Explore Ireland, Scotland & England with CIE Tours 2024 offer 
  • Ascott launches Citadines Arpora Nagoa Goa property 

Reach out to us for discussions regarding connectivity, direct booking, rate intelligence, and website design requirements – we are happy to explore new possibilities with you for your property – contact us today. 

Enjoy the read! 

Newshound W1 March 2024

Oman sets the stage: ITB Berlin 2024 opening extravaganza 

Prominent political and tourism industry figures are to attend the official opening ceremony of the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show on 4 March. A spectacular show programme featuring classical works and folk music by the Official Host Country, Oman, awaits the audience at the opening of ITB Berlin 2024. Don’t miss the chance to meet RateTiger in Berlin from the 5th to the 7th of March in Hall No. 8.1/Stand No. 132. 

https://shorturl.at/vGJL7

Accor partners with IDeaS for global revenue management 

IDeaS and Accor announced that Accor has chosen IDeaS as its global revenue management software (RMS) provider. Partnering on a suite of IDeaS revenue management solutions, Accor continues to update its commercial strategy for hotels, property owners, and managers. Accor has over 5,600 hotels in 110 countries and will leverage IDeaS for its revenue management strategy by using technology to create a competitive advantage and deliver value while considering its global portfolio footprint. 

https://shorturl.at/akOW1

Escape with Banyan Tree Dubai’s Eid staycation offer 

Banyan Tree Dubai, the sanctuary of rejuvenation, is delighted to announce its Eid Staycation offer, inviting UAE and GCC residents to experience a journey of reconnection at this inviting destination. Nestled in the heart of Bluewaters Dubai, overlooking the breathtaking shoreline and boasting many dining and recreational facilities, this oceanside resort is the ultimate escape from the bustling metropolis. With its 500 meters of secluded, private beachfront, Banyan Tree Dubai provides the ideal opportunity to embrace serenity. 

https://shorturl.at/dotwW

Explore Ireland, Scotland & England with CIE Tours 2024 offer 

Experience the allure of Ireland, Scotland, and England with CIE Tours’ exclusive limited-time offer for 2024 explorers. Book any of our 19 select guided tours with airfare and receive 50% off the second airfare for your travel companion. This offer is valid for new bookings between March 1 and March 22, 2024, and travel between May 1 and December 31, 2024. 

https://shorturl.at/chzG2

Ascott launches Citadines Arpora Nagoa Goa property 

CapitaLand Investment Limited’s wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has announced the launch of its new Apart’hotel, Citadines Arpora Nagoa Goa. With a commitment to redefine relaxation and provide an unparalleled experience for guests, Citadines Arpora Nagoa Goa will mark a significant milestone in Ascott’s expansion strategy across newer territories in India. 

https://shorturl.at/lqrSX

That’s all folks!  

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What’s New in Hotel Online Distribution and Tech Trends? W2, February 2024

Here is your weekly industry news round-up. Check out the short snippets here and follow below for more details. 

  • 5 hotel physical security tune-ups with key control for 2024 
  • Adıyaman, Turkey’s dual revitalization goal: industry and tourism 
  • Sofitel Dubai The Palm: second edition of Epicure Culinary Month 
  • Geopolitics is the biggest threat to travel & tourism 
  • Reopening of the iconic Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah 

Reach out to us for discussions regarding connectivity, direct booking, rate intelligence, and website design requirements – we are happy to explore new possibilities with you for your property – contact us today. 

Enjoy the read! 

Newshound w2, February 2024

5 hotel physical security tune-ups with key control for 2024 

The security and safety of all hotel guests, employees, and visitors is a top priority for hotel security teams. Investing in security and safety technology upgrades helps hotels stay compliant, manage assets, and prevent security incidents. One component of security technology that hotels invest in is key control and asset management solutions. 

https://shorturl.at/exHOQ

Adıyaman, Turkey’s revitalization push: industry and tourism 

Adıyaman in Türkiye eyes to revitalize both industry and tourism. The devastating twin earthquakes in early February last year affected not only buildings but also the economy of southern Türkiye. Before the earthquakes, Adıyaman’s economy was based on two main pillars: Agriculture and livestock, and textile factories, which accounted for almost 90 percent of the city’s industry. Food, construction and building materials were also produced.  

https://shorturl.at/gtwx3

Sofitel Dubai The Palm: second edition of Epicure Culinary Month 

Renowned luxury resort Sofitel Dubai The Palm is set to host the second edition of its EPICURE Culinary Month, a gastronomic celebration of culinary excellence, following the great success of the inaugural version in 2023. Starting 1st February 2024, this month-long event will showcase the property’s best-of-the-best culinary talent, inviting food connoisseurs and seasoned gourmands to indulge in a series of exceptional dining experiences, including exclusive four-hand dinners, one-off collaborations, and many more unmissable offers. 

https://shorturl.at/admI1

Geopolitics is the biggest threat to travel & tourism 

Thailand’s foreign policy of maintaining strict neutrality amid superpower bunfights has become the key to its national security and economic survival. Although Travel & Tourism are both major components and beneficiaries of that policy, the prospect of prolonged global geopolitical instability means that the industry is hanging by a thread, over-exposed to external shocks and biding time until the next one. 

https://shorturl.at/vPSZ1

 Grand reopening: Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah 

 The iconic Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah in UAE re-opens its doors, revealing a stunning transformation. The newest chapter of the renowned luxury hotel has begun, as the resort­ welcomes guests to live unforgettable once again. After an extensive refurbishment, the resort has unveiled 203 keys in total, including 149 beautifully appointed guest rooms and 54 suites with breathtaking views. 

https://shorturl.at/sGOQ6

That’s all folks!

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Airbnb predicts historic travel rebound in 2021

Airbnb, the home-sharing and accommodation rental giant, has predicted an unprecedented travel recovery in the coming months as more countries ease travel restrictions due to vaccine roll-out. The pent-up demand for travel after a year of uncertainties are making people get back out there. This trend is also captured in the eRevMax Hotel Sentiment survey where 2 out of three BnB and Home Rental owners have reported significant increase in bookings and occupancy compared to last year.

Airbnb has recently published its customer survey report which shows a shift toward more meaningful travel. As more people work remotely from home, they want to go out and stay at another place, not necessarily a hotel, for a longer than usual duration.

More than a year of restrictions and lockdown have made people prioritize personal trips over mass tourism. People want to reconnect with family and loved ones and are willing to take trips while keeping the safety and security in check.

Among the key points that surfaced in the Airbnb research:

People miss traveling and plan to travel. More than bars, restaurants, sports, or other live events, people miss traveling. In one survey, 54% of people said they either already booked a trip or expect to travel in 2021.

What this means: There is a significant pent-up demand as people can’t wait to travel again.

People will be flexible on where and when they travel. With remote work and learning here to stay, people will have more flexibility with travel. This will likely impact where, when, and how long people stay—for example, there may be more demand for off-peak days of the week and times of the year. Nearly 25% of those surveyed said they envision longer stays.

What this means: Be ready to adapt to new guest needs, like offering longer stays, upgrading wi-fi, setting up a laptop-friendly workspace, and including amenities suitable for families and people with disabilities.

People will want to travel nearby. In the survey, 56% of people said they prefer a domestic or local destination. Just 21% said they want to travel farther away and internationally.

What this means: Guests will go anywhere—as long as it’s nearby. This means travel will likely disperse to thousands of smaller cities, towns, and rural communities.

People will prioritize affordability. Those surveyed said affordability was the top priority in choosing accommodations for future travel. The pandemic has hit a lot of people financially, but the desire to travel and connect is universal.

What this means: Offering a great value would help accommodation providers to attract family and group of friends traveling together.

People want to travel to connect with family and friends. In the survey, 41% said connecting with family and friends will be “much more important” post-pandemic.

What this means: There is a shift from mass travel to meaningful travel, and bookings from families and groups of friends who want to reconnect.

As people begin to make plans to reconnect with friends and family, Airbnb is launching the Summer of Responsible Travel, an 8-point plan to help hosts, guests and communities they call home stay safer. The Summer of Responsible Travel plan includes new tools to help travelers and hosts stay healthier, systems to crack down on bad behavior and more help for people if some part of their trip doesn’t go as planned.

You can now manage your property on Airbnb via RateTiger/ LiveOS. Contact us today to connect to Airbnb or manage your existing connection via RateTiger –https://goo.gl/3gKUJZ

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Fighting Coronavirus: 5 short-term revenue generation tips for hotels

As the situation surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, it’s time to join forces and participate in virtual discussions to learn new revenue sources for your hotel business.

5 short-term revenue generation tips –

– Self- isolation packages – Offer rooms for self-isolation stays in well sanitized rooms.

– Quarantine facility – Contact your local government health bodies to offer lodging and fooding to affected people in a 14-day quarantine package rate.

– WorkFromHotel space – Create a weekly package offering stay, all meals and hi-speed internet and promote to professionals who want to stay comfortably without worrying about daily chores.

– Extended Stay – Focus on offering extended stay packages at affordable rates with well sanitized rooms, meals and wi-fi included, to expats that might be staying in costly rented places and looking for alternative stay options.

– Brand visibility – Maintain your presence through social media and have regular contact with loyalty guests – as soon as people are ready to book, they will remember and reach out to you.

We are here for you! Together we are stronger.

Contact us on marketing@erevmax.com to set up a discussion with one of our revenue management and connectivity advisers.

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What are the Best Practices for Creating a Google Hotel Ads Campaign?

Google Hotel Ads has emerged as an important channel for hoteliers to improve online exposure of their properties. In this blog, we list out some of the best practices that are involved with the creation of a Google hotel ads campaign.

What are the Best Practices for Creating a Google Hotel Ads Campaign

About 4.5 billion searches are made on Google every day, making it essential for every business to have presence on the platform. Over the last few years, Google Hotel Ads has emerged as the most popular platform in the metasearch space.  Which for years have been dominated by the OTAs. GHA which aggregates your hotel rates from participating OTAs and brand website and displays your hotel rates and availability on Google, across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices? Find out about some of the best practices for the creation of a Google hotel ads campaign.

Familiarize yourself with the interface

In order to be successful with Google hotel ads, it is essential to be familiar with the interface and know what goes into it. The sign-up process is quite similar to Google PPC campaign. Hotels need to create a Google Hotel Center account to send and manage hotel rates and availability across Google. The interface is user-friendly, effective and efficient. Once you have listed your property, connect your prices and availability to your ads by linking your Hotel Center account to a Google Ads account and start advertising.

Use data to your benefit

Data that is recorded by Google systems lets you pinpoint those things that are/are not working. Reports every week are offered in detail, and how your campaign is proceeding in each device. Make use of opportunity reports every week to detect missed opportunities. Know about the areas that you might have improved on, and prepare better for bid optimization in the following round.

With conversion tracking, you can exactly find out what happens when anyone visits your site. You can get information on cost per acquisition, how long a person stays in the accommodation and whether or not they booked a room. The use of this information and other performance metrics for the adjustment of Google hotel ads booking campaign strategies can help you to derive the best from your experience of Google Hotel Ads.

Group hotels and manage bids better

In case you are operating bids for more than one hotel property, group the properties together. This can let you manage the same in a more efficient way and optimize returns on investment. The principles happen to be the same for each hotel property that is part of the group. When you structure bids, you have to remember that.

Optimize your ads

For optimizing your ad spends, Google recommends hotels to provide entire inventory to Hotel Ads along with room and package Meta data. The details comprise of data about occupancy levels and rooms, and all the updated prices and active bids can ensure accuracy of prices. The ads which notch up the best numbers are generally those that offer the most information. Optimized ad can help hotels to have much better business and increase the bottom line.

Google Hotel Ads campaigns can provide future travelers with the chance to reserve a hotel room at many important hotels all through their research. Wherever a user makes decisions related to travel, hotel ads are surfaced by Google to assist them in the assessment of booking options and pricing available to them.

Find Hotel channel manager and Online Distribution.

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What is a Hotel PMS?

PMS or Property Management System is a software solution which can be installable or cloud-based for managing hotel operations like handling guest profiles, check-in and check-out, occupancy management, checking room availability and bookings.