The hotel industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by technological advancements reshaping how venues manage bookings and customer experiences. As the sector recovers from recent disruptions, innovative solutions are helping hotels modernise and boost revenue through automation and streamlined processes, particularly in the group booking sector, including Meetings and Events services and bedroom bookings for groups with more than 9 bedrooms.
Traditionally, managing group bookings and Meetings & Events (M&E) has been a labour-intensive process. Selling meeting rooms, event spaces, and group accommodations (more than 10 rooms) often required manual coordination and offline negotiations, making it difficult for hoteliers to optimise sales and meet customer expectations for speed and convenience.
Joonas Aloha, CEO & Founder, MeetingPackage
However, with the advent of advanced booking platforms, such as MeetingPackage, the game has changed. MeetingPackage is the world’s first Central Reservation System (CRS) for group business, designed to help hotels maximise revenue from meeting spaces, events, and group accommodations. By automating processes and enabling customisable business rule workflows, MeetingPackage platform empowers venues to sell their services more efficiently across any sales channel, whether online or offline. This innovation addresses a long-standing gap in the hospitality industry, bringing group bookings up to par with other digitally transformed services.
Joonas Ahola, CEO and Founder of MeetingPackage, recognised this need after running his own event agency for eight years. His entrepreneurial journey began at age 14, and after multiple ventures, MeetingPackage was born. Under his leadership, the company has grown to over 50 employees and earned him recognition, including a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Ahola highlights the significance of this innovation: “The hospitality sector’s final outdated process—selling group bookings—is finally catching up with the rest of online booking possibilities. It’s a critical step forward, as group business accounts for 30-40% of a fully serviced business hotel’s annual net revenue.”
MeetingPackage not only enhances revenue potential but also improves user experience for both staff and customers. Automation reduces the time required to manage bookings, freeing hotel employees to focus on delivering exceptional service. Guests benefit from a faster, more seamless booking experience, regardless of the channel they choose to use. Hoteliers can unlock the full potential of their venues through a system that integrates seamlessly with existing backend systems and different indirect and direct distribution channels. This provides transparency, flexibility, and ease of use to implement efficient sales strategies. Whether it’s optimising inventory or managing group requests,
MeetingPackage offers a comprehensive solution that reduces friction and increases efficiency across the board. As the hotel industry continues to evolve, embracing technology will be key to staying competitive. Those who adapt to these innovations will find themselves well-positioned to meet the demands of modern travellers, event planners, and business groups—all while driving revenue and reducing operational costs. With platforms like MeetingPackage leading the charge, the future of hospitality looks bright, with innovation driving growth and a renewed focus on creating outstanding guest experiences.