Managing Director of p3, Phelim Pekaar presents Backend Functionality and Ease of use for your Hotel – how to select the best booking engine for your business. Drawing on his extensive experience within the travel industry, Phelim outlines key ares which hotels should consider prior to selecting a booking engine for their own website

1. Backend Functionality and Ease of use
for your Hotel – how to select the best
booking engine for your business
Phelim Pekaar, Managing Director, p3
p3 Technology| phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

2. About p3
We specialize in:
• The supply of innovative web technologies
• The provision of dynamic e-Business solutions for the
travel industry
We Deliver:
• Custom-made software solutions tailored to our
clients needs
• Effective online marketing services
Our Credentials:
• Zend PHP Accredited
• Google Adwords Professionals
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

3. Why is a booking engine so important
• 73% of online guests prefer to book directly via the hotel
brand website.
• 60% of your bookings can come from the internet
• 40% direct through your own brand website
• An online booking engine will help you close sales
instantly online
• We live in the age of ‘Now’
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

4. What are Your Requirements
• It’s too easy to list and want everything
• List all your functional requirements in
order of priority
• Priority 1 >> The booking engine must
sell rooms on your website
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

5. Important Requirements
• One way or two way interface
• Inventory Management >> Rate restrictions
• Reporting
• Rate control – easy set-up and flexibility
• Dynamic Packaging / Room extras
• Variable Pricing for all rate types
• Guest view / searching
• Access Levels
• Training & Support
• Easy to use Interface
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

6. Sample Rate and Availability Interface
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

7. Strategic Needs
• CRS Strategy
• PMS Strategy
• GDS Connectivity – can the booking engine
handle it?
• Third party connections – what is your strategy
for managing third party connections
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

8. Find a dedicated resource to manage
the booking engine **
** You only get out what you put in
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

9. Q. What is Demand Management?
A. Quite simply varying rates to meet
the demand. Lowering prices when
you are empty and increasing them
when you are full.
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

10. Rates not adjusted to match
demand
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

11. Rates Adjusted to Match Demand
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie

12. Summary
• List your functional requirements in order of
priority
• Make sure it fits with your strategic needs
• Use software that makes it easy to edit your
room rates
• Regularly update room rates to manage
demand
• Find a dedicated person to manage the
booking engine
phelim@p3.ie | www.p3.ie