STAAH, a leading technology provider for the hospitality sector, has revealed its annual list of distribution channels that delivered the highest booking revenue for hotels across India in the past year. The data underscores key trends in traveller preferences and hotelier strategies, shedding light on the evolving dynamics of the Indian hospitality market.
Mega OTAs Continue to Dominate
GoMMT retains its position as the leading online booking channel for Indian travellers, followed closely by Agoda and Booking.com. These platforms leverage extensive reach and marketing budgets to influence travellers at every stage of their journey, from trip planning to booking.
Expedia and Airbnb also feature prominently among the top 10 distribution channels, reinforcing their popularity in the Indian market.
The Rise of Direct Bookings
A significant shift observed in 2024 is the rise in direct bookings via hotel websites. STAAH SwiftBook, the company’s booking engine, climbed two spots to secure fourth place in the rankings.
“The rise of direct bookings reflects the investments hotels have made in upgrading their websites, booking engines, and payment options,” said Rajesh Ghanshani, Director Partnerships at STAAH. “Specialist conversion tools have further boosted this trend.”
New Entrants and Niche Channels
The top 10 list saw the inclusion of three new entrants: Cleartrip, Hotelbeds, and RezLive.com. This highlights hoteliers’ growing openness to embracing multichannel distribution strategies to target niche or hard-to-reach customer segments.
Consistent GDS Performance
Global distribution systems (GDS) maintained steady growth, with STAAH GDS securing the seventh spot. These systems continue to play a pivotal role in connecting hotels to a global network of travel agents and corporate clients.
Adapting to a New Era of Travellers
“We are witnessing a new era of hotel guests-travellers with evolved booking behaviours and preferences,” said Rajesh. “Our data shows that hoteliers are adopting both new and established methods to attract these customers, pursuing a holistic hotel commerce strategy to sell, market, manage, and grow their businesses.”
Post-Covid Growth Fuelling the Sector
India’s hospitality and travel industry has seen robust growth in the post-pandemic era, driven by: International tourists seeking medical and spiritual experiences and a growing Indian middle class with increasing disposable income and a hunger for domestic travel.
“Accommodation providers that embrace a comprehensive online commerce strategy are well-positioned to benefit from India’s projected growth in hospitality and tourism,” Rajesh concluded. As the Indian travel landscape continues to evolve, STAAH’s insights provide a valuable roadmap for hoteliers seeking to maximise their revenue potential in a competitive market.
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