Channel Manager

Hotel Channel Management During the Rise of Revenge Travel

Leema Rosali — Senior VP – Engineering, AxisRooms
Leema Rosali — Senior VP – Engineering, AxisRooms

Table of Contents

Recently, revenge travel has become very common. People are traveling more, wanting to enjoy holidays after long routines. This puts pressure on hotels to manage bookings, rooms, and guests efficiently. A good Channel Manager helps hotels run smoothly and keep guests happy.

What Is Revenge Travel?

Revenge travel happens when people suddenly travel more than usual to enjoy holidays. Popular destinations like Shimla, Mussoorie, and Manali saw many tourists.

For hoteliers, this brings challenges:

  • Rooms get booked quickly, risking overbooking.
  • More bookings happen online, so digital tools are needed.
  • Guests expect smooth check-ins and a stress-free stay.

Challenges During Revenge Travel

Problem

What It Causes

How Technology Helps

Overbooking

Guest complaints

Channel Manager keeps all bookings synced

Wrong room rates

Lost revenue

Central rate updates across OTAs & website

Manual booking mistakes

Staff workload

Automated booking updates

Last-minute cancellations

Empty rooms

Flexible cancellation through PMS

Why Hotels Need a Channel Manager

A Channel Manager helps hotels manage room availability, rates, and bookings in real-time across all platforms.

Benefits for Hoteliers:

  • Instant Updates: Room status and rates update automatically across OTAs and your hotel website.
  • Better Revenue: Rooms get booked at the right price, increasing income.
  • No Overbooking: Avoids double bookings.
  • Less Work for Staff: Staff can focus on guests instead of updating listings.
  • Clear View: Management can see all bookings and revenue easily.

What Is a Channel Management System?

A Channel Management System (CMS) connects your hotel to multiple online channels:

  • OTAs: Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda
  • Meta Search: Google Hotel Ads, Trivago
  • GDS: Amadeus, Sabre
  • Direct Booking: Hotel website or app

The CMS keeps your room inventory and rates accurate, so you don’t lose bookings or money.

Channels Managed by CMS

Channel

Example

Why It Helps

OTA

Booking.com, Expedia

More bookings

Meta Search

Google Hotel Ads

Better visibility

GDS

Amadeus, Sabre

Corporate & international bookings

Direct Booking

Hotel website

No extra commission

Why Channel Management Is Important Now

With more online bookings, hotels need a Channel Manager.

It helps with:

  • Inventory Management: No overbooking and all rooms are updated across OTAs and your Multi property & CRS.
  • Revenue Management: Keep room rates competitive using your PMS.
  • Flexible Cancellations: Last-minute changes are easy to manage.
  • Smooth Operations: Staff can use a Guest services app to manage requests quickly.

Benefits for Staff:

  • See all bookings instantly.
  • Reduce errors from manual entry.
  • Focus more on guest service.
  • Manage corporate, group, and leisure bookings from one place.

How to Choose a Good Channel Manager

When choosing a Channel Manager, check:

  1. Channel Coverage: Connects to OTAs, GDS, and your website.
  2. Real-Time Updates: Changes in room availability and rates are instant.
  3. Reports & Analytics: Shows revenue, occupancy, and bookings.
  4. Ease of Use: Staff can use it easily.
  5. PMS Integration: Works with your Property Management System to make operations smooth.

Checklist for Choosing a Channel Manager

Feature

Checkpoints

Why It Matters

Channels

OTA, GDS, website

More bookings

Sync

Real-time updates

Prevent overbooking

Reports

Occupancy, revenue

Make better decisions

Easy to use

Simple interface

Less staff training

PMS Integration

Works with PMS

Smooth operations

AxisRooms Channel Manager: How It Helps

AxisRooms Channel Manager helps hotels manage bookings during busy periods.

- Connects to OTAs, GDS, and websites.

- Updates rates and room availability in real-time.

- Works with PMS for front desk, housekeeping, and guest service.

- Flexible cancellations for guests.

- Shows revenue and occupancy trends.

AxisRooms Benefits

Feature

Benefit

Multi-channel sync

More bookings

PMS integration

Smooth operations

Flexible policies

Handle cancellations easily

Dashboard

See revenue & occupancy

Real-time updates

Keep rates correct

Best Practices During Revenge Travel

To make your hotel ready:

  1. Focus on Guests: Personalize check-in and service.
  2. Use Technology: Channel Manager + PMS + Guest services app.
  3. Flexible Bookings: Easy cancellations and modifications.
  4. Optimize Rates: Keep room prices competitive.
  5. Sustainability: Eco-friendly practices attract guests.
  6. Staff Training: Teach staff to handle many bookings efficiently.

Revenge Travel Readiness

Area

Action

Guest Experience

Personalized service & recognition

Operations

PMS + Channel Manager + Guest services app

Booking Flexibility

Easy cancellation/modification

Revenue Management

Optimize rates & occupancy

Sustainability

Eco-friendly practices

Staff Preparedness

Train front desk & housekeeping

Conclusion

Revenge travel brings high demand. Hotels must use technology like AxisRooms and Hotelogix, integrated with Multi property & CRS and a Guest services app, to:

  • Update rooms and rates in real-time
  • Manage multiple properties easily
  • Make operations smooth
  • Keep guests happy

This ensures your hotel handles busy periods efficiently, increases revenue, and leaves guests satisfied.