We often get asked for recommendations re channel managers or booking platforms.
What is a channel manager? Channel Management is the process of managing several online booking systems in one platform – so you only have to update and use one platform and can safely manage your bookings in real time and often from your phone. It means you can make your inventory available online in several locations at once, and when you get a booking in one it updates your availability across all booking systems. It also allows you to directly connect with agents, such as OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), as well as smaller retail agents in different markets.
We cannot recommend what you use but we can tell you what are most commonly used by our members. As each business is different you need to evaluate what is right for you. For example a casual B&B vs a motel. Platforms that our members do use are listed below.
Booking platforms (some of which are also channel managers):
Booking.com, BOOKit, Expedia, Tripadvisor, Trivago, Wotif, agoda, Book-a-bach, AA, Holiday Houses, Home&away, Little hotelier, Nestay, preno,smartres, Seekom, tourism.net, Travelbug
Channel Managers:
Siteminder, Little hotelier, Smart, Clarity, ibex, logify, netromz (?), seekom, STAAH, Strait reservations, Style