Tag: hotels
-
Everything About BAR (Best Available Rate)
The Best Available Rate (BAR), also known as Best Flexible Rate, is a cornerstone of modern hotel pricing strategy. It serves as the reference point for all other room rates, influencing how hotels present their value proposition, manage revenue, and respond to market demand. Understanding BAR is critical not just for revenue managers, but for all professionals…
-
Understanding Hotel Pricing: Evolution, Strategies, and Best Practices
Hotel pricing is one of the most critical components of successful hospitality management. The price you set not only affects your revenue but also shapes your guests’ perception of value and quality. Effective pricing balances maximizing profit with attracting the right customers, ensuring both occupancy and guest satisfaction. In today’s competitive market, pricing is no…
-
Understanding Global Distribution Systems (GDS): The Backbone of Travel Booking
In today’s fast-paced travel industry, connecting travelers with flights, hotels, car rentals, and other services requires complex technology working behind the scenes. One of the most important technologies that makes this possible is the Global Distribution System (GDS). What is a Global Distribution System (GDS)? A Global Distribution System, or GDS, is a computerized network…
-
How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Could Impact Montreal’s Hospitality and Tourism Industry
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, is one of the most anticipated global events in recent years. While Montreal is not a host city, its proximity to Toronto—one of the Canadian host cities—makes it a prime destination for spillover tourism. This raises the question: How will this monumental…
-
What is Cross-Selling?
Cross-selling is a sales technique where customers are encouraged to purchase additional or complementary products or services alongside their primary purchase. The goal is to increase revenue per customer by offering items that enhance their experience or fulfill related needs. Examples of Cross-Selling in General Cross-Selling in Hospitality In the hospitality industry, cross-selling involves promoting…
-
What is Yield Management?
Yield Management is a pricing strategy used primarily in industries with perishable inventory, such as hospitality and airlines. It focuses on selling the right product (e.g., hotel room or flight seat) to the right customer at the right time, for the right price, to maximize revenue. Yield management optimizes revenue by balancing supply and demand,…
-
What is an Online Travel Agency (OTA)?
An Online Travel Agency (OTA) is a third-party platform that allows travelers to search for, compare, and book accommodations, flights, car rentals, and other travel-related services. Popular OTAs include Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Airbnb, and Agoda. These platforms act as intermediaries between hotels and travelers, making it easier for hotels to reach a global audience. Role…
-
Why Should Hotels Increase Direct Bookings?
Direct bookings are reservations made directly with the hotel, bypassing third-party intermediaries like Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). Encouraging direct bookings provides several benefits: Strategies and Best Practices to Increase Direct Bookings 1. Optimize the Hotel Website 2. Offer Exclusive Perks for Direct Bookings 3. Invest in Digital Marketing 4. Leverage Loyalty Programs 5. Improve Communication…
-
Free Room Upgrade Strategy
A free room upgrade strategy involves offering a guest a higher-category room at no additional cost. This strategy is typically used to enhance the guest experience, manage inventory effectively, or foster loyalty. While it may seem counterintuitive to give away a premium room for free, it can offer strategic benefits when used wisely. Why Offer…
-
Upselling
Upselling in the hospitality industry refers to the practice of encouraging guests to upgrade their current booking or purchase additional premium services or amenities that enhance their stay. It is a key strategy to increase revenue per guest while also improving their overall experience. How Upselling Works Upselling is typically offered during: Examples of Upselling…
Reza Karbaschian 