Using a mix of distribution channels can be a great way to maximise your online distribution strategy and increase occupancy levels. It’s important to consider and regularly review the number of bookings, contribution to total revenue and number of booked room nights your property receives from each of your distribution channels to ensure your property is reaching its full potential.
Total number of confirmed bookings per month by booking channel for 2020
(via Levart’s booking engine and channel manager)
March and April 2020 saw dramatic declines in accommodation bookings due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of widespread travel restrictions. Both Booking.com and direct bookings (via Levart’s booking engine) were quick to recover, indicating a higher level of consumer trust in these booking methods compared to both Expedia and Agoda.
Total number of confirmed bookings by booking channel for 2020
(via Levart’s booking engine and channel manager)
At 24% of total bookings, direct bookings via Levart’s booking engine were the second-highest booking source. This indicates the increasing preference of guests to book direct through a hotel’s own website and highlights the success of Levart properties in implementing strategies to encourage direct, commission-free bookings.
Total revenue by booking channel for 2020
(via Levart’s booking engine and channel manager)
Direct bookings contribute more than one third of the total booking revenue, second only to Booking.com. This is important to consider when looking at the revenue contribution versus the commission costs for each channel and can help in the decision to utilise tools such as digital marketing in order to increase commission-free revenue.
Top 10 booking channels by total number of confirmed bookings for 2020
(via Levart’s booking engine and channel manager)
Booking.com, direct bookings via Levart’s booking engine and Expedia are the top three channels for total number of bookings, while GDS platforms recorded the fifth-highest contribution to the total number of bookings for 2020.
Top 10 booking channels by number of room nights for 2020
(via Levart’s booking engine and channel manager)
Direct bookings through Levart takes the lead for the most number of bookings by number of room nights, despite Booking.com recording the highest number of total bookings in the previous graph. Implementing special offer strategies with minimum length of stay requirements on your website can help increase room night occupancy whilst encouraging direct bookings.
Top 10 booking channels by total revenue for 2020
(via Levart’s booking engine and channel manager)
Booking.com, direct bookings, Expedia and GDS platforms represent the top four channels in terms of total revenue. Airbnb moved up to seventh position, again confirming the importance of evaluating the total booking value as well as the number of bookings your property obtains from distribution channels.
