What is a Booking Engine?
Your Hotel's Own Online Booking System
A booking engine (IBE - Internet Booking Engine) lets guests book rooms directly on your website. Zero commission, full guest data, complete control.
Why You Need a Booking Engine
The Math: 100 room nights/month at ₹3,000 ADR via OTA (20% commission) = ₹60,000 lost to OTAs. Same bookings direct = ₹60,000 saved (minus ~3% payment gateway).
| OTA Booking | Direct Booking |
|---|---|
| 15-25% commission | ~3% payment gateway only |
| Limited guest data | Full contact info, preferences |
| OTA owns the relationship | You own the guest relationship |
| Rate parity constraints | Offer exclusive direct rates |
| Delayed payments | Instant payment to your account |
How Booking Engine Works
- Guest visits your website
- Enters dates and guests: Search widget on your site
- Sees room options: Available rooms with rates and photos
- Selects room and extras: Add-ons like breakfast, airport transfer
- Enters details: Guest information form
- Pays securely: Credit card, UPI, net banking
- Gets confirmation: Instant booking confirmation email
- You get the booking: Directly in your PMS
Key Features to Look For
- Mobile responsive: 60%+ bookings happen on mobile
- Multiple payment options: Cards, UPI, net banking, wallets
- PMS integration: Bookings flow directly to your system
- Multi-language: English, Hindi, regional languages
- Promo codes: Create discount codes for marketing
- Add-ons/Packages: Upsell breakfast, spa, transfers
- Rate comparison widget: Show your price vs OTAs
- Google Hotel Ads: Connect to meta-search
Popular Booking Engines in India
| Booking Engine | Best For | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| eZee Reservation | eZee PMS users | ₹8,000/year |
| Djubo | Independent hotels | ₹6,000/year |
| AxisRooms | CM + BE combo | ₹10,000/year |
| SiteMinder | Premium features | ₹15,000/year |
| Simplotel | Website + BE package | Custom pricing |
Driving Traffic to Your Booking Engine
Having a booking engine isn't enough. You need to drive traffic to it:
- Google Hotel Ads: Show rates on Google search results
- Social media: "Book Direct" links on Instagram, Facebook
- Email marketing: Past guests, inquiries
- Best rate guarantee: Promise lowest rate on your site
- Exclusive perks: Free breakfast, late checkout for direct bookers
- Retargeting ads: Target website visitors who didn't book
- WhatsApp: Share booking link with inquiries
Pro Tip: Add a "Book Direct & Save" banner on your OTA listings directing guests to your website. Many OTAs allow this in listing descriptions.
Booking Engine vs OTA
| Factor | Booking Engine | OTA |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 0% (+ payment gateway ~3%) | 15-25% |
| Guest data | Full access | Limited |
| Traffic source | You generate it | OTA provides it |
| Setup effort | Requires marketing | List and wait |
| Control | Complete | OTA's rules |
Ideal Direct Booking Mix
Target: Aim for 30-40% direct bookings. Use OTAs for visibility and new guest acquisition, convert repeat guests to direct bookers.
Setting Up Your Booking Engine
- Choose provider: Based on PMS compatibility and budget
- Setup payment gateway: Razorpay, CCAvenue, PayU
- Add room types: Photos, descriptions, amenities
- Set rates: Base rates, seasonal rates, packages
- Configure policies: Cancellation, deposit requirements
- Embed on website: Widget or full page integration
- Test thoroughly: Make test bookings on all devices
- Launch & promote: Drive traffic to your direct booking page