What is a Channel Manager?
Your Single Dashboard for All OTAs
A channel manager automatically syncs your room rates and availability across multiple OTAs (MakeMyTrip, Booking.com, Goibibo, etc.) in real-time. Update once, reflect everywhere.
How Channel Manager Works
- Connect OTAs: Link all your OTA accounts to the channel manager
- Set rates & inventory: Update prices and room availability in one place
- Auto-sync: Changes push to all connected OTAs within seconds
- Receive bookings: OTA bookings automatically reduce inventory across all channels
- No overbookings: Real-time sync prevents double bookings
Why You Need a Channel Manager
Without Channel Manager: You manually update 5 OTA extranets = 15-20 minutes per rate change. With 10 rate changes daily = 3+ hours wasted. Plus high overbooking risk!
| Without Channel Manager | With Channel Manager |
|---|---|
| Login to each OTA separately | Single dashboard for all |
| Manual rate updates (hours) | One-click updates (seconds) |
| High overbooking risk | Real-time inventory sync |
| Limited to few OTAs | Connect 50+ channels easily |
| No centralized reporting | All booking data in one place |
Key Features to Look For
- Two-way sync: Rates push to OTAs, bookings pull back automatically
- PMS integration: Seamless connection with your property management system
- Pooled inventory: Same rooms available on all channels until booked
- Rate management: Set different rates for different channels if needed
- Booking engine: Many include website booking engine
- Mobile app: Manage on-the-go
- Reporting: Channel performance analytics
Popular Channel Managers in India
| Channel Manager | Best For | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| AxisRooms | Indian independent hotels | ₹8,000/year |
| eZee Centrix | eZee PMS users | ₹12,000/year |
| RateGain | Mid to large hotels | ₹15,000/year |
| SiteMinder | International connectivity | ₹20,000/year |
| Djubo | All-in-one solution | ₹10,000/year |
| Staah | Budget hotels | ₹6,000/year |
OTA Connections
A good channel manager should connect to:
- Indian OTAs: MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Yatra, Cleartrip, EaseMyTrip
- Global OTAs: Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, Hotels.com
- Meta-search: Google Hotel Ads, TripAdvisor, Trivago
- GDS: Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport (via connectivity partners)
- Wholesale: Hotelbeds, WebBeds, Destinations of the World
Channel Manager vs PMS
| Channel Manager | PMS |
|---|---|
| Manages OTA distribution | Manages hotel operations |
| Syncs rates & availability | Handles check-in/out, billing |
| Receives OTA bookings | Stores all reservation details |
| External facing | Internal operations |
Pro Tip: Many modern PMS systems include built-in channel managers. If buying separately, ensure they integrate via API for seamless operation.
Setting Up a Channel Manager
- Choose provider: Based on OTA connections, PMS compatibility, budget
- Sign contract: Usually monthly or annual subscription
- Connect PMS: API integration with your property management system
- Map room types: Match your room types with each OTA's room types
- Connect OTAs: Provide extranet credentials for each OTA
- Set rates: Upload base rates and rate plans
- Test: Make test bookings to verify everything works
- Go live: Start managing all channels from one place
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rate parity violations: Check OTA contracts about pricing rules
- Incomplete room mapping: Ensure all room types are properly mapped
- Ignoring sync errors: Monitor and fix connection issues immediately
- No inventory buffers: Consider keeping 1-2 rooms buffer for walk-ins
- Forgetting promotions: Update promotional rates across all channels