The global hospitality industry is projected to reach $4.7 trillion by 2028, with online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com contributing a significant chunk to hotel bookings – accounting for nearly 40% of all online hotel reservations in some regions (Statista, 2023).
To stay competitive, hoteliers must optimize their OTA operations for better efficiency and guest experience.
The STAAH Max Channel Manager’s integration with Booking.com goes beyond basic rate and inventory sync – it enables a smooth, centralised control system that optimises operations, increases guest engagement, and drives more revenue.
1. Room & Rate Plan Management
Use Case:
A property manager wants to launch a “Winter Getaway” rate plan. Instead of accessing Booking.com separately, they create and configure this promotion directly within STAAH Max.
Benefits:
- Speed-to-market: Launch rate plans instantly.
- Agile pricing strategy: Make rapid adjustments in line with demand trends.
- Operational efficiency: Reduce platform-hopping and manual data entry.
Stat Insight:
Hotels that regularly optimise rate plans and pricing strategies see up to 20% higher revenue per available room (RevPAR) (Hotel Tech Report, 2023).
2. Content Synchronisation
Use Case:
A boutique hotel rebrands one of its premium suites. The manager updates the room name and amenity list in STAAH Max, which automatically syncs to Booking.com.
Benefits:
- Brand consistency: Unified presence across platforms.
- Time savings: Avoid repetitive manual updates.
- Accuracy: Reduce errors caused by outdated or mismatched content.
Stat Insight:
According to Expedia Group, 75% of travelers are more likely to book rooms that have consistent, updated visuals and descriptions across platforms.
3. Promotions Made Simple
Use Case:
A property experiencing low weekday occupancy sets up a “Last Minute” deal and “Mobile Rate” within STAAH Max to target mobile users and spontaneous bookers.
Benefits:
- Higher conversion: Tap into mobile and impulse markets.
- Improved visibility: Appear in more filtered searches on Booking.com.
- Revenue boost: Fill rooms that might otherwise go unsold.
Stat Insight:
Over 60% of Booking.com reservations now come from mobile devices (Booking Holdings, 2023), making mobile-centric promotions essential.
4. Mapping Process Simplified
Use Case:
When adding new room categories or reconfiguring packages, a hotelier can use STAAH Max’s intuitive mapping interface to ensure proper sync with Booking.com.
Benefits:
- Reduced errors: Avoid common mistakes that lead to booking issues.
- Faster onboarding: Easily map new rooms without needing tech support.
- Optimised inventory management: Ensure accuracy in availability display.
Stat Insight:
Hotels lose up to 10% of revenue annually due to mismatched room data and overbookings caused by poor channel management (STR, 2023).
5. Booking.com Messaging Integration
Use Case:
A guest asks for early check-in through Booking.com. The hotel staff replies via STAAH Max’s integrated messaging system, without switching tabs or platforms.
Benefits:
- Timely response: Enhance pre-arrival experience.
- Better guest engagement: Build rapport and trust.
- Unified communication: Avoid missed messages and double handling.
Stat Insight:
Hotels that respond to guest messages within 1 hour have a 40% higher chance of receiving a positive review (Revinate, 2022).
6. Efficiency & Control Over Guest Issues
Use Case:
A guest is marked as a no-show, or their credit card is invalid. The hotel updates this status directly from STAAH Max’s booking tab, saving time and maintaining accurate booking data.
Benefits:
- Faster resolution: Handle issues without logging into Booking.com.
- Centralised operations: One dashboard for all key functions.
- Reduced workload: Automate routine actions to save staff hours.
Stat Insight:
Manual handling of no-shows and invalid payments consumes up to 15% of daily front-desk time in small hotels (Skift Research, 2023).
Conclusion: A New Era of OTA Management
With STAAH Max’s robust Booking.com integration, hoteliers are no longer limited by platform fragmentation. From promotions to messaging, from rate management to reporting, everything can be executed faster, smarter, and centrally – creating a consistent, high-performing Booking.com presence.
As competition in the hospitality sector intensifies, investing in tools that reduce friction and boost performance isn’t optional – it’s essential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Following our recent webinar, Booking.com Seamless Experience with STAAH: Do More With Less, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions from hoteliers and provided clear answers to help you make the most of this powerful tool.
1. Are all functionalities the same across OTAs like STAAH, Traveloka, Trip.com, Expedia, and Booking.com?
No, the available functionalities can differ across OTAs. The best practice is to check the respective OTA extranets for specific capabilities or refer to the STAAH Help Centre to learn what’s supported for each platform.
2. Has Booking.com stopped support from Marketing Managers? How can we get assistance now?
Booking.com offers support based on the type of query. For example:
- Financial issues → Credit Control team
- Guest-related queries → Customer Service team
You can always access help via partner.booking.com. More contact details will be shared soon.
3. Can I create new room types or rate plans on STAAH for all OTAs, or only for Booking.com?
This feature is currently available only for Booking.com. You can create new room types and rate plans directly on STAAH without needing to repeat the process on the Booking.com extranet.
4. If I create a new rate plan in STAAH, will it appear as a separate rate plan in Booking.com?
Yes. Once the rate plan is created in STAAH, it will sync automatically with Booking.com.
5. How can I train my team on these features?
We recommend exploring:
- partner.booking.com for helpful articles
- Booking.com YouTube Channel for training videos
6. Can I respond to Booking.com reviews directly from STAAH?
Yes, review responses can be managed through STAAH using the ReviewMinder tool.
7. Can guest misconduct be reported after their stay?
Yes, guest misconduct can be reported up to 7 days after the guest’s departure.
8. If I mark a no-show in STAAH, do I also need to do it in the Booking.com Extranet?
No. Once a no-show is marked in STAAH, it is automatically updated in Booking.com.
9. Does STAAH provide Booking.com commission invoices?
No, commission invoices are not provided through STAAH. You must download them directly from the Booking.com extranet.
10. If I create a promotion in STAAH for Booking.com, will it apply to all channels?
Promotions vary across OTAs. You’ll need to create them individually for each OTA through STAAH, based on the connectivity options available.
11. I’m an existing STAAH user. Can I still update my room types and rate plans?
Absolutely. Whether you’re a new or existing user, you can manage your room types and rate plans entirely from within STAAH.
12. Can photos or attachments be sent through STAAH or Booking.com messaging?
Yes. With Booking.com’s API and connectivity integrations, it’s possible to send photos and attachments through messaging.
13. If payment is to be made at the property, how do I charge a no-show fee?
If the guest’s card details are available in STAAH, you can charge the card directly and then mark the booking as a no-show.
14. Are there any extra charges for using these advanced STAAH-Booking.com integration features?
No, all these features are included as part of your integration setup. There are no additional charges.
Click here to watch the webinar recording and gain full insights.
