STAAH, a leading technology company helping hoteliers unlock their full revenue potential, has unveiled its list of distribution channels that brought the highest booking revenue to hotels across United Kingdom, Middle East and Sri Lanka, over the past year.
STAAH’s list of top distribution channels is based on hotel reservations that have passed through its channel manager network of 500+ integrations across the world.
Direct bookings via STAAH SwiftBook connected to hotel websites has cemented its spot in top five across all regions reflecting the growth in investments seen among hotels in their websites, including their booking engines and payment options, and the specialist conversion tools they connect with. Across UK, the Middle East, and Sri Lanka, STAAH SwiftBook held the number four spot.
OTAs continue to dominate and influence every stage of trip planning and booking thanks to their unmatched reach and budgets. However, a diversified distribution strategy is apparent looking at the mix of types of OTAs as well as global distribution systems, websites and wholesalers being relied on for online bookings.
In United Kingdom Booking.com, Expedia and Pitchup.com held the top three spots while Agoda moved up to number five. Airbnb and STAAH GDS fell slightly in their rankings but showcased their continued dominance as a distribution channel by holding a spot on the top 10 channel list. A strong B2B focus is apparent as Hotelbeds moved up one place to 7 and TXGB made its entry at the number 8 spot. Trip.com was another new entrant at number 6.
Top 10 Online Channels 2024 – United Kingdom
STAAH GDS made the largest jump in the Middle East, up four spots to number five in 2024. Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia hold the top three spots. Trip.com, Hotelbeds, TBO and EET Global were new entrants on the Middle East’s top distribution channel list – the latter two representing the resurgence of the corporate market. Airbnb was down two spots.
Top 10 Online Channels 2024 – Middle East
In Sri Lanka Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia took out the top three spots while GoMMT and Trip.com made upward moves. Luxury accommodation specialist OTA, Mr & Mrs Smith made its first appearance on Sri Lanka’s top distribution channels list for 2024. Hotelbeds, Airbnb and direct bookings via STAAH SwiftBook on hotel websites fell slightly.
Top 10 Online Channels 2024 – Sri Lanka
“We are entering a new age of the hotel guest – Travellers who have more sophisticated behaviours and preference,” says Adam Walsh, Head of Connectivity from STAAH. “Our data highlights the willingness of hoteliers to adopt both new and established methods to attract these customers, as they pursue a more holistic hotel commerce strategy to sell, market, manage and grow their business.” Adam continues.
“Accommodation providers who implement a more diverse and comprehensive online commercial strategy, blending both new and established methods, extending their reach and working with differentiated customer personas, can look forward to benefiting from the projected global growth in hospitality and tourism. STAAH now gives access to over 2,000 distribution channels, so hoteliers and property managers should be aiming to mix the perfect cocktail, to give them the widest reach and the best distribution portfolio.”