Research by hotel cloud platform Siteminder reveals that global distribution systems (GDSs) still make up a large part of the global hotel industry’s revenue stream.
Siteminder analysed data collected from its channel management solution from 28,000 hotels throughout 2017 to find out the top 15 booking channels in various markets. The lists feature a range of both B2B and consumer channels, from OTAs and direct bookings to wholesalers and GDSs.
In the UK, GDSs were the fourth biggest channel for hotel bookings, with the top three made up of Booking.com, Expedia and direct bookings through hotel websites. Number five on the list is Laterooms.com.
The top four are exactly the same across the pond in the US and Canada, while discount site Agoda comes in fifth.
Elsewhere in the world, third party sites are winning in places such as the Middle East, Greece and Thailand. Hotel solutions provider HRS came second in its home country of Germany.
Interestingly, Booking.com beat Expedia for the number one slot in all 13 markets included in the research.
Mike Ford, MD of Siteminder, commented: “These lists are testament to the incredible, material impact that a broad distribution strategy which caters to a diverse business mix from various feeder markets, can have on a hotel’s bottom line.
“They also prove the enormous – and growing – value of direct and corporate bookings, with hotel websites and global distribution systems featuring in almost every list this year.”
View the full list here.