Booking Engine

What is a Booking Engine?

A booking engine is software that allows guests to book hotel rooms directly via the hotel’s website, social media, or chatbot. It processes real-time availability, rates, and room types, completing bookings without third-party involvement. It is often integrated with the Property Management System (PMS) to keep room inventory accurate and automatically updated.

How it helps hotels

A booking engine enables hotels to sell rooms directly, reducing reliance on online travel agencies (OTAs). It automates reservations, updates availability instantly, and prevents overbooking. It supports upselling by offering add-ons like breakfast, late check-out, or upgrades during the booking process. When linked with guest communication tools such as Viqal, it can confirm bookings, send reminders, and personalize offers automatically.

Key Insight:

An optimized booking engine increases direct revenue and reduces OTA commission costs.

Related articles:
FAQ
How does a booking engine work in hotels?
Why is a booking engine important for operations?
What systems connect with a booking engine?
What is the difference between a booking engine and a channel manager?
Can a booking engine handle promotions or discount codes?
How can hotels measure the performance of their booking engine?

Other Key Terms