Hotel API Integration: Uses, Benefits, And Types

Statista predicts that the global online travel market will make a revenue of about $807.88 billion by 2028. This gives travel agents a great opportunity to make more money and grow their business consistently. Business growth generally results in exceeding work, and travel agencies should be well-equipped to handle that workload. As the industry is blooming, the best time to invest in the latest tech innovations for managing the growing rate of customers is now.

Online tech solutions with Hotel API integration are powerful tools that enable online travel agencies to deliver optimum quality services on the go. Consider hotel API integration as a connecting link between the travel agency’s booking portal and hotels. Instead of hopping on multiple portals and websites, tour operators get instant information on hotel rooms. Travel agents get real-time updates and alerts on hotel chains, their prices, and vacant rooms, options of upgrades and more. Let us explore more about hotel API integration and travel tech solutions.

What is Hotel API integration?

To put things simply, a hotel application programming interface connects travel agencies, tour operators, and travel businesses to a chain of hotels. By adding the API to travel agency portals, travel managers access real-time information on hotel accommodations, room prices, availability, and all other essential details. Hotel APIs act as time-saving methods as agents no longer need to connect with hotels for information gathering manually. Here is how a hotel API can be integrated with online travel agency portals:

1. Direct API integration

This is the most convenient and beneficial method where a travel agency portal is directly connected to the hotel management solution. The hotel provides API login credentials to the travel agency, which can be accessed by developing a backend infrastructure. Direct API integration provides complete control to travel agencies over data usage and helps them maintain first-hand communication with the hotel. 

2. Middleware integration

Middleware integration is an interpreter between a travel agency portal and the Hotel APIs. This is especially helpful when an agency works with many hotels where every hotel can have its API. This is made easy by middleware integration since it involves standardizing the communication between the different systems in the hotel and the portal. This compatibility enables the agency’s portal to directly interact with one or many APIs eliminating the hustle of individual connections.

3. Third-party integration platforms

These platforms are helpful for travel agencies by providing consolidated data of different hotel APIs. This approach eliminates the necessity for developing different integrations for various hotel APIs, cutting down the time and resources needed for integration. They also provide additional tools and benefits such as data caching and performance boosting, which serve to improve the overall functioning of the travel agency.

Benefits of Hotel API integrating the hotel API with booking portals

1. Vast Inventory

Hotel API integration gives access to the vast inventory of hotels, providing a wide range of options. Whether the customer wants budget accommodation or luxury resorts, travel agencies can make quick and efficient bookings. Direct access to hotel services helps meet diverse and unique customer needs. 

2. Room availability updates

Through APIs, online booking portals receive real-time hotel updates alerting the travel agency about changes in pricing, accommodation, contact information, and booking process. This ensures that inventory data is up to date across all booking channels. API integration empowers travel agents with the right and updated information, minimizing last-minute booking hiccups. Hotels often add new services, which become visible to travel agents through API-integrated portals. 

3. Cashback offer and scheme alerts

Since API integration acts as an information pipeline for travel agents, it helps them increase their bookings. The hotel provides cashback offers and custom packages in different seasons. Travel agencies get instant alerts about these developments through the portal. Providing such exciting deals to customers brings more bookings and higher revenue. 

4. Search and filter options

By incorporating API in a travel booking portal, travel agencies can experience seamless and simplified bookings. These portals contain extensive information about various hotels, which can confuse tour managers while making multiple bookings. A search and filter option available in online portals facilitates a smooth research process for them leading to timely bookings and better business. 

Wrapping up

Hotel API Integration allows travel agents and managers to ditch the traditional ways of operations. Directly combining the online travel agency portal and the hotel’s data management system through API leads to quick information flow and swift bookings, and ensures a stress-free stay for customers.

Hotels often change their room prices and add new services to their catalogs, API integrated portals automatically update this information into the travel agency’s system. These benefits make hotel API integration a strong weapon for travel agencies and their happy customers. Tour managers and travel businesses can connect with an experienced service provider like TBO Holidays to help them with hotel API integration. 

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